Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples System
Steve Padalino &Ed PogozelskiSUNY Geneseo
•Max speeds of 35 mph (16 m/s)•Over 400 test runs•Working system installed at NRL•Modular components•Computer or manual control
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
System characteristics include:
•Max speeds of 35 mph (16 m/s)•PVC tubing•Flow-driven (skin drag)•Pneumatic drivers can operate in “push” or “pull” mode.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Air flow
Air flow
Air flow
Air flow
System Overview:
•PVC tubing is 4 inch nominal diameter•Any length can be accommodated•Curves are 4 feet radius, 45 or 90 Tube diameter of curves is slightly oversized
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Tubing subsystem:
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Testing &component validation
Component Validation Test bench
•Trial runs of up to160 ft•Trial runs include horizontal and vertical curves (both up and down)•Trial runs include the ability to “park” the carrier at a desired location.•Working system in regular use at the Naval Research Lab in Washington DC
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Testing and validation
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
NRL Mercury LabReaction chamberwith Raptors tube visible in foreground.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Driver subsystems
High Volume ACPneumatic Driver
Standard 16V DCPneumatic Driver
Communication cables use standard USB connectors
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Valve subsystems
Valves are used to restrict the motion of air or the carrier in the tubes.
Communication uses DB9 connectors
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Valve subsystems
•Valve control has separate “open” and “close” datalines.•Valve subunits include microswitches to verify “fully open” or “fully closed”.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Optical Detection subsystem
Mounted set of prototype photo sensorsPhoto sensors are used to
monitor the position of the carrier during a run.
Subsystem consists of an emitter/detector pair.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Optical Detection subsystem
Current modelphoto sensors
Detectors include an onboard latch with signal reset.
Photodiodes are amplified by saturated transistor for crisp “Yes/No” status.
Communication uses USB connectors.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Magnetic Endgate subsystem
Positioned near counting station; seals the tube until carrier is ready for final delivery
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Control system
•Redundant control system allows automatic computer control (via LabVIEW) or manual control.•Modular subsystems (drivers, valves, photo sensors) can easily be added or removed.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Manual control hardware: rear view
PhotosensorOutputs
Valve Outputs
Driver Outputs
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Manual control hardware: front view
Main Panel
•Controls system power
•Allows switching from manual to computer control
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Manual control hardware: front view
Pneumatic Driver Panel
•When in “manual” mode, allows the user to operate up to two pneumatic drivers.•Status indicators function whether in “manual” or “computer” mode.•Can also operate a magnetic endgate.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Manual control hardware: front view
Valve Control Panel
•When in “manual” mode, allows the user to open or close a valve.•Status indicators function whether in “manual” or “computer” mode.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Manual control hardware: front view
Photosensor Panel
•Allows operation (reset) of up to 4 sets of photo sensors•Status indicators function whether in “manual” or “computer” mode.
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Automatic Computer Control
•Duplicates Manual Controls•Monitors status of all subsystems, even when in “manual” mode.•Easily configurable for new subsystems•Includes visual system overview window•Allows user scripting for timed system control
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Configuration dialog window
•Allows user to specify installed hardware by drag-and-click•Changing hardware requires restart of Raptors system, but not of the computer itself•Hardware interface uses NI 6501-Daqs•Can add any number of Daqs
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
Scripting dialog window
•Simple scripting language allows sequential operation of all subsystems.•Operation can be timed or event driven.•The onscreen dialog displays current script status•Scripts can be written in any text editor (MS Word, notepad, etc.)
Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of
Radioactive Samples
System overview window
•Shows pictorial view of status of attached subsystems•Graphic must be manually generated when system layout is finalized.
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