Shielded Irradiation Zone Of Production Line

摘要

A shielding apparatus for an irradiator having an enclosed irradiation zone comprises conveying means adapted to convey carts carrying products for irradiation through an entry port into a shielded first tunnel section extending in a substantially straight path to the irradiation zone, and thence through a shielded second tunnel section extending in a substantially straight path from the irradiation zone to an exit port. The tunnel sections have a substantially identical vertical cross-section which is uniform along their lengths, and each cart has end walls comprising an irradiation shield means configured for a clearance fit with the uniform cross-section of the tunnel sections. Each tunnel section has at least one displacement zone, adapted to reduce radiation leakage from the irradiation zone towards the entry and exit ports. For each displacement zone a substantially horizontal first displacement is less than a maximum cross-sectional width of the tunnel section, a substantially vertical second displacement is less than a maximum cross-sectional height of the tunnel section and each displacement is greater than the corresponding clearance fit of the carts. A return section is provided for returning unloaded carts to a loading zone for reentry to the irradiation zone.