Experimental study on the failure factors of the O-ring for long-term working

The O-ring in the rotary dynamic sealing system of gas meters should have outstanding long-term sealing performance under the conditions of high and low temperature,which can ensure the safety of gas meters.In this paper,based on the O-ring sealing mechanism,taking the compression set as the main sealing index,a finite element simulation method is used to analyze the failure charac-teristics under different conditions according to the constitutive relation of nitrile rubber.Then,using the orthogonal test method for the O-ring sealing performance index,the main factors which affect the law of long-term test are analysed,and the orthogonal regression mathematical model that can predict the compression set is obtained.Finally,the O-ring is improved according to the model,and the test results show that the performance of the new O-rings with high and low temperature resistance is greatly improved and meets the expected target requirements.

Enhancing Precision in Radiotherapy Delivery: Validating Monte Carlo Simulation Models for 6 MV Elekta Synergy Agility LINAC Photon Beam Using Two Models of the GAMOS Code

The most crucial requirement in radiation therapy treatment planning is a fast and accurate treatment planning system that minimizes damage to healthy tissues surrounding cancer cells. The use of Monte Carlo toolkits has become indispensable for research aimed at precisely determining the dose in radiotherapy. Among the numerous algorithms developed in recent years, the GAMOS code, which utilizes the Geant4 toolkit for Monte Carlo simula-tions, incorporates various electromagnetic physics models and multiple scattering models for simulating particle interactions with matter. This makes it a valuable tool for dose calculations in medical applications and throughout the patient’s volume. The aim of this present work aims to vali-date the GAMOS code for the simulation of a 6 MV photon-beam output from the Elekta Synergy Agility linear accelerator. The simulation involves mod-eling the major components of the accelerator head and the interactions of the radiation beam with a homogeneous water phantom and particle information was collected following the modeling of the phase space. This space was po-sitioned under the X and Y jaws, utilizing three electromagnetic physics mod-els of the GAMOS code: Standard, Penelope, and Low-Energy, along with three multiple scattering models: Goudsmit-Saunderson, Urban, and Wentzel-VI. The obtained phase space file was used as a particle source to simulate dose distributions (depth-dose and dose profile) for field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 at depths of 10 cm and 20 cm in a water phantom, with a source-surface distance (SSD) of 90 cm from the target. We compared the three electromagnetic physics models and the three multiple scattering mod-els of the GAMOS code to experimental results. Validation of our results was performed using the gamma index, with an acceptability criterion of 3% for the dose difference (DD) and 3 mm for the distance-to-agreement (DTA). We achieved agreements of 94% and 96%, respectively, between simulation and experimentation for the three electromagnetic physics models and three mul-tiple scattering models, for field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 for depth-dose curves. For dose profile curves, a good agreement of 100% was found between simulation and experimentation for the three electromagnetic physics models, as well as for the three multiple scattering models for a field size of 5 × 5 cm2 at 10 cm and 20 cm depths. For a field size of 10 × 10 cm2, the Penelope model dominated with 98% for 10 cm, along with the three multiple scattering models. The Penelope model and the Standard model, along with the three multiple scattering models, dominated with 100% for 20 cm. Our study, which compared these different GAMOS code models, can be crucial for enhancing the accuracy and quality of radiotherapy, contributing to more effective patient treatment. Our research compares various electro-magnetic physics models and multiple scattering models with experimental measurements, enabling us to choose the models that produce the most reli-able results, thereby directly impacting the quality of simulations. This en-hances confidence in using these models for treatment planning. Our re-search consistently contributes to the progress of Monte Carlo simulation techniques in radiation therapy, enriching the scientific literature.

基于国产加速器URT-Linac 506c的计划复杂度分析和患者计划质量保证预测

目的 探讨基于国产联影URT-Linac 506c加速器的容积弧形调强放射治疗(Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy,VMAT)计划复杂度参数与患者计划质量保证(Patient Specific Quality Assurance,PSQA)间的关系,并建立机器学习模型对PSQA结果进行评估和预测。方法 随机选取150例在URT-Linac 506c加速器上行VMAT治疗计划的患者为研究对象,在该加速器上对所有计划进行基于机载电子射野影像系统探测器的PSQA剂量验证。对剂量验证结果进行阈值为10%、标准为2%/2 mm的伽马通过率分析。同时对每个计划基于多叶准直器位置和跳数,提取其中的11个复杂度参数。分析复杂度参数和PSQA结果间的关系,并建立机器学习模型对PSQA结果进行预测。结果 计划复杂度参数与PSQA结果的相关性分析表明二者并不严格呈线性相关,但计划的复杂程度越高,PSQA通过率相对越低。梯度提升决策树(Gradient Boosting Decision Tree,GBDT)模型和随机森林(Random Forest,RF)模型对基于复杂度参数的PSQA结果预测水平相当,GBDT模型和RF模型的平均预测误差分别为0.55%和0.54%。由于PSQA结果分布严重不平衡,更改过权重后的模型对低通过率部分的预测能力有所提升。结论 对于国产加速器URT-Linac 506c,这2种基于决策树结构的机器学习模型对PSQA结果的预测可提供一定的帮助,建立更精准的模型需要进一步完善采集患者的样本量。

Fluid-solid Interaction Model for Hydraulic Reciprocating O-ring Seals

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of hydraulic reciprocating seals have significant effects on sealing and tribology performances of hydraulic actuators, especially in high parameter hydraulic systems. Only elastic deformations of hydraulic reciprocating seals were discussed, and hydrodynamic effects were neglected in many studies. The physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect did not be clearly presented in the existing fluid-solid interaction models for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals, and few of these models had been simultaneously validated through experiments. By exploring the physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, a numerical fluid-solid interaction model consisting of fluid lubrication, contact mechanics, asperity contact and elastic deformation analyses is constructed with an iterative procedure. With the SRV friction and wear tester, the experiments are performed to investigate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the O-ring seal. The regularity of the friction coefficient varying with the speed of reciprocating motion is obtained in the mixed lubrication condition. The experimental result is used to validate the fluid-solid interaction model. Based on the model, The elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal are presented respectively in the dry friction, mixed lubrication and full film lubrication conditions, including of the contact pressure, film thickness, friction coefficient, liquid film pressure and viscous shear stress in the sealing zone. The proposed numerical fluid-solid interaction model can be effectively used to analyze the operation characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, and can also be widely used to study other hydraulic reciprocating seals.

Influence Analysis of Secondary O-ring Seals in Dynamic Behavior of Spiral Groove Gas Face Seals

The current research on secondary O-ring seals used in mechanical seals has begun to focus on their dynamic properties. However, detailed analysis of the dynamic properties of O-ring seals in spiral groove gas face seals is lacking. In particular a transient study and a difference analysis of steady-state and transient performance are imperative. In this paper, a case study is performed to gauge the effect of secondary O-ring seals on the dynamic behavior（steady-state performance and transient performance） of face seals. A numerical finite element method（FEM） model is developed for the dynamic analysis of spiral groove gas face seals with a flexibly mounted stator in the axial and angular modes. The rotor tilt angle, static stator tilt angle and O-ring damping are selected to investigate the effect of O-ring seals on face seals during stable running operation. The results show that the angular factor can be ignored to save time in the simulation under small damping or undamped conditions. However, large O-ring damping has an enormous effect on the angular phase difference of mated rings, affecting the steady-state performance of face seals and largely increasing the possibility of face contact that reduces the service life of face seals. A pressure drop fluctuation is carried out to analyze the effect of O-ring seals on the transient performance of face seals. The results show that face seals could remain stable without support stiffness and O-ring damping during normal stable operation but may enter a large-leakage state when confronting instantaneous fluctuations. The oscillation-amplitude shortening effect of O-ring damping on the axial mode is much greater than that on the angular modes and O-ring damping prefers to cater for axial motion at the cost of angular motion. This research proposes a detailed dynamic-property study of O-ring seals in spiral groove gas face seals, to assist in the design of face seals.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE LOAD DECAY AND ITS EFFECT ON LEAK RATE OFO-RING

Experimental studies on load decay and leak rate of O-rings made of two kindsof silicone rubber are conducted. The results show that the characteristic of load decay isrelative to the material and temperature of O-rings; the rate of load decay increases with the riseof temperature; the effects of load decay on leak rate of O-rings are negligible at roomtemperature, but they are notable at high temperature, and they are related to the material ofO-rings. On the basis of study on the theory of load decay and analysis to the results ofexperiments, a theoretical model is developed to describe the load decay characteristic of O-rings,and it matches the experimental data very well. By the study of time-temperature equivalence of loaddecay, the interconvertting equation of test data of load decay at different temperatures isobtained.

O-ring橡胶密封圈的耐老化性能研究

通过自然老化、加速老化和介质老化对手表丁腈橡胶O-ring密封圈的耐老化性能进行研究。结果表明,经过40个月常温下自然老化后,O-ring密封圈老化性能未完全失效;在60℃、85℃和100℃三种温度下的加速老化下,24h内对老化性能影响较大,随着加速老化时间的延长,开始进入缓慢老化阶段;其耐盐雾腐蚀性能较好,此外,酒精浸泡30min,对O-ring密封性能无影响。

New Mini Dental Implant Attachments versus O-ring Attachment after Cyclic Aging: Analysis of Retention Strength and Gap Space

Overdenture as a treatment modality for both partially and fully edentulous patients is costeffective and less expensive. The purpose of the present study was to examine the newly fabricated attachments by comparing them with conventional O-ring attachment in vitro in terms of retention force and cyclic aging resistance. A total of 150 samples were prepared and divided into five groups according to the materials used(O-ring attachment, Deflex M10 XR, Deflex Classic SR, Deflex Acrilato FD, and flexible acrylic resin). The retention force of different attachments was measured by a mini dental implant after three subsequent aging(0, 63, and 126) cycles in the circumstances similar to the oral environment. The gap space between the head of the implant and the inner surface of the attachments was detected. Two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) analysis with multiple comparisons test was applied for statistical analysis. The results showed that Deflex M10 XR had the highest retention force and the lowest gap space after cyclic aging; in addition, by comparing the relative force reduction, the lowest values were obtained in the O-ring attachment and the highest values in the flexible acrylic resin attachment. The retention force measured after cyclic aging for the Deflex M10 XR attachment was greatly improved when compared with the O-ring attachment and other types of attachment materials; in addition, the Deflex M10 XR attachment exhibited the minimum gap space between the inner surface and the mini dental implant head. In conclusion, Deflex M10 XR has the ability to withstand weathering conditions and retains its durable and retentive properties after aging when compared with other attachments.

Failure Mechanism of O-Ring Seals under Extreme Operating Conditions

In this paper the behavior of an O-ring made of NBR rubber was investigated under extreme conditions. The effect of the extreme initial compression, operating pressure and extreme temperature conditions were examined. The rubber material was tested in simple tension, pure shear and equibiaxial tension modes complemented with a Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) to capture the viscoelastic behavior of the material. For the investigation, a large-strain viscoelastic material model was developed by the authors, to take into account the large deformations caused by extreme conditions. Insufficient space during installation causes extreme initial compression consequently leading the material to crack on the contacting outer surfaces. It was found that the excessive strain and friction induced shear stress contributes primarily to this phenomenon. Extreme operating pressure causes the seal to penetrate into the gap between the shaft and the housing. This behavior damages the material and cracks appear on the seal. High strain areas were found in the proximity of the gap in the material. The analysis of the extreme operating temperature showed that during cooling the O-ring can completely loose its ability to seal at -70°C. There are three contributing factors: the speed of cooling, the temperature and the coefficient of thermal expansion.

瓦里安Clinac 23EX常见GFIL连锁系统故障分析

根据加速器电子枪控制系统原理,利用数字万用表、示波器、高压棒等进行有关参数的测量对比,对该机器出现GFIL连锁故障进行测量和比较分析,找出其根本原因,总结该机器GFIL连锁,实现GFIL连锁出现时进行快速维修,为患者缩短等候时间。瓦里安23EX加速器常见的GFIL连锁故障维修效果较好,提高了机器的稳定性能、显著减少相关联故障的发生,提高了开机率。

Design of 10 MeV electron linear accelerator for space environment simulation

A compact 10 MeV S-band irradiation electron linear accelerator(linac)was developed to simulate electronic radiation in outer space and perform electron irradiation effect tests on spacecraft materials and devices.According to the requirements of space environment simulation,the electron beam energy can be adjusted in the range from 3.5 to 10 MeV,and the average current can be adjusted in the range from 0.1 to 1 mA.The linac should be capable of providing beam irradiation over a large area of 1 m^(2) with a uniformity greater than 90% and a scanning rate of 100 Hz.A novel method was applied to achieve such a high beam scanning rate by combining a kicker and a scanning magnet.Based on this requirement,a design for the10 MeV linac is proposed with an RF power pulse repetition rate of 500 Hz;it includes a thermal cathode electron gun,a bunching-accelerating section,and a scanning transport line.The detailed physical design and dynamic simulation results of the proposed 10 MeV electron linac are presented in this paper.

Effect of nitrile butadiene rubber hardness on the sealing characteristics of hydraulic O-ring rod seals

The nitrile butadiene rubber(NBR)hardness effect on the sealing characteristics of hydraulic O-ring rod seals is analyzed based on a mixed lubrication elastohydrodynamic model.Parameterized studies are conducted to reveal the mechanism of the influence of rubber hardness on the static and dynamic behavior of seals.The optimized selections of rubber hardness are then investigated under different conditions.Results show that the low hardness seal is prone to stress concentration due to the extrusion effect under high pressure conditions;it is also more prone to leaking.A high hardness seal can better prevent leakage by reducing film thickness but it will cause large frictional power loss and increase the probability of wear failure.The choice of low hardness is recommended to reduce friction with the premise that leakage requirements are met.

基于LINAC慢正电子源的EGS4模拟

介绍基于BEPCLINAC和BFELLINAC（北京正负电子对撞机和北京自由电子激光装置电子直线加速器）慢正电子束设备中正电子源部分的Monte－Carlo模拟过程。结果表明，从Ta靶出射的快正电子产额在BEPCLINAC和BFELMNAC运行于兼容模式时分别为184×1010/s和3．9×1011/s。若慢化体慢化效率在10-4量级，基于BEPCLINAC和BFELLINAC慢正电子束的慢正电子产额分别为106－107/s和107－108/s。

Dental Treatment Using Quantum Mechanics for Knee Joint Pain

In clinical practice, dentists sometimes encounter phenomena that cannot be explained by modern western medical concepts;for example, the patient’s medical symptoms improve by bringing medicines or dentures close to the body. Although it seems difficult to completely elucidate the mechanism through modern western medicine, it can be explained using quantum mechanics. The quantum, the smallest unit of matter composition, exhibits wave-particle duality. The fact that symptoms can be improved simply by bringing dentures or medicines closer to the body indicates that the waves emitted by dentures or medicines interfere with the pathological waves emitted by the pathological site. Thus, the pathological waves are deformed and lead to a change in symptoms. In this way, quantum theory can explain phenomena that are difficult to elucidate in conventional medicine, which are encountered in clinical practice. So far, the author has presented a case of difficulty in raising the upper limb where the symptoms improved without the need for dentures in the mouth by adjusting the dentures outside the mouth. This time, the author would like to introduce a case which the patient’s knee pain improved by adjusting the dentures outside the mouth.

医用电子直线加速器生产环节风险分析及现场体系核查要点

医用电子直线加速器具有系统结构复杂、核心部件多、控制精度要求高等特点,对产品质量控制和监管都提出了较高的要求。该研究通过对医用电子直线加速器技术特点及生产环节风险分析,结合医疗器械生产质量管理规范要求,提出了此类产品现场体系检查要点,对企业的质量管理人员和监管部门的检查员具有一定参考意义。

Clinac iX和Trilogy加速器束流匹配计划验证分析

通过对束流匹配的加速器进行计划设计,比较计划参数,验证交叉执行的差异及通过率,验证束流匹配的可行性及可靠性。选取头颈、胸部和腹盆部共15例病例,分别设计Clinac iX和Trilogy两个不同治疗机的三维适形计划(3D-CRT);另选头颈、胸部和腹盆部共15例病例,分别设计两个不同治疗机的调强计划(IMRT)。比较相同计划类型不同治疗机的计划差异,评价指标包括靶区PTV的D98%、D2%、Dmax,晶体Dmax、脑干Dmax、左右肺V5 Gy、双肺V20 Gy、脊髓Dmax、膀胱D50%、小肠D2 cc、股骨头V40 Gy等危及器官及治疗机跳数MU。并对治疗机执行计划进行点剂量和面剂量验证。PTV的D98%、D2%、Dmax剂量差异最大平均值标准差分别为-0.52%±0.30%、0.53%±0.45%、-0.55%±0.17%,危及器官剂量差异最大平均值为膀胱D50%(0.94%±0.84%);Clinac iX和Trilogy治疗机执行所有计划的最大绝对剂量偏差分别为2.36%和-2.80%。MatriXX和PV的γ验证通过率结果平均值分别在97.00%和96.00%以上,Clinac iX最小值为95.40%,Trilogy最小值为95.90%。两台经过束流匹配的治疗机之间交换执行计划的剂量学偏差在临床可接受的范围内,各项参数能精准执行,必要时可以在两台治疗机之间交换执行计划,保证病人放疗疗程完整。

Visual Analysis of the Daily QA Results of Photon and Electron Beams of a Trilogy Linac over a Five-Year Period

Data visualization technique was applied to analyze the daily QA results of photon and electron beams. Special attention was paid to any trend the beams might display. A Varian Trilogy Linac equipped with dual photon energies and five electron energies was commissioned in early 2010. Daily Linac QA tests including the output constancy, beam flatness and symmetry (radial and transverse directions) were performed with an ionization chamber array device (QA Beam Checker Plus, Standard Imaging). The data of five years were collected and analyzed. For each energy, the measured data were exported and processed for visual trending using an in-house Matlab program. These daily data were cross-correlated with the monthly QA and annual QA results, as well as the preventive maintenance records. Majority of the output were within 1% of variation, with a consistent positive/upward drift for all seven energies (^+0.25% per month). The baseline of daily device is reset annually right after the TG-51 calibration. This results in a sudden drop of the output. On the other hand, the large amount of data using the same baseline exhibits a sinusoidal behavior (period = 12 months;amplitude = 0.8%, 0.5% for photons, electrons, respectively) on symmetry and flatness when normalization of baselines is accounted for. The well known phenomenon of new Linac output drift was clearly displayed. This output drift was a result of the air leakage of the over-pressurized sealed monitor chambers for the specific vendor. Data visualization is a new trend in the era of big data in radiation oncology research. It allows the data to be displayed visually and therefore more intuitive. Based on the visual display from the past, the physicist might predict the trend of the Linac and take actions proactively. It also makes comparisons, alerts failures, and potentially identifies causalities.

Proton linac-based therapy facility for ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) treatment

As an advanced treatment method in the past five years,ultra-high dose rate(FLASH)radiotherapy as a breakthrough and milestone in radiotherapy development has been verified to be much less harmful to healthy tissues in different experiments.FLASH treatments require an instantaneous dose rate as high as hundreds of grays per second to complete the treatment in less than 100 ms.Current proton therapy facilities with the spread-out of the Bragg peak formed by different energy layers,to our knowledge,cannot easily achieve an adequate dose rate for FLASH treatments because the energy layer switch or gantry rotation of current facilities requires a few seconds,which is relatively long.A new design for a therapy facility based on a proton linear accelerator(linac)for FLASH treatment is proposed herein.It is designed under two criteria:no mechanical motion and no magnetic field variation.The new therapy facility can achieve an ultrahigh dose rate of up to 300 Gy/s;however,it delivers an instantaneous dose of 30 Gy within 100 ms to complete a typical FLASH treatment.The design includes a compact proton linac with permanent magnets,a fast beam kicker in both azimuth and elevation angles,a fixed gantry with a static superconducting coil to steer proton bunches with all energy,a fast beam scanner using radio-frequency(RF)deflectors,and a fast low-level RF system.All relevant principles and conceptual proposals are presented herein.

Strip line beam position monitor for HLS LINAC

The parameters of beam transverse positions at HLS 200 MeV LINAC are very important to injection ef-ficiency. We have designed a new non-interceptive strip line beam position monitor (BPM) as a substitution for the original interceptive fluorescent target. This paper gives out the theoretical analysis and bench test result of the strip line BPM. The BPM has a characteristic impedance of (50±5)?, a reflection coefficient of less than –4 dB, a band-width of 400 MHz, a coupling coefficient of less than -15 dB, and a sensitivity of 1.16 dB/mm. Additionally, the strip line BPM has a good linearity.

What Do We Mean When We Talk about the Linac Isocenter?

Purpose: The isocenter of a medical linac system is a frequently used concept in clinical practice. However, so far not all the isocenters are rigorously defined. This work is intended as an attempt of deriving consistent and operable isocenter definitions. Methods: The isocenter definition is based on a fundamental concept, the axis of rotation of a rigid body. The axis of rotation is determined using the trajectory of any point on a plane that intersects the rigid body. A point on the axis of rotation is found through the minimal bounding sphere of the trajectory when the rigid body makes a full rotation. The essential mathematical tool of the isocenter definition system is three-dimensional coordinate transformation. Results: The axes of rotation of the linac collimator, gantry, and couch are established first. The linac mechanical isocenter (linac isocenter) is defined as the center of a circle that best fits the trajectory of a select linac X-ray source position. The axis of rotation and the minimal bounding sphere are cornerstones for the rotation isocenters of the collimator, gantry and couch. The definition of radiation isocenter incorporates a surrogate of the useful beam axis. Conclusions: A framework of isocenter definitions for medical linacs is presented in this manuscript. Consistent meanings of the mechanical and radiation isocenters can be achieved using this approach.