Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of Radioactive Samples System Steve Padalino & Ed Pogozelski SUNY 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 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 Lab Reaction chamber with Raptors tube visible in foreground.

Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of Radioactive Samples Driver subsystems High Volume AC Pneumatic Driver Standard 16V DC Pneumatic 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 sensors Photo 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 model photo 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 Photosensor Outputs Valve Outputs Driver Outputs

Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of Radioactive Samples Manual control hardware: front view

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 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.

Rapid Pneumatic Transportation of Radioactive Samples Possible LLNL Configuration