U.S. patent application number 10/603655 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for mobile building unit as well as a building and a method for constructing the building.
This patent application is currently assigned to ELEKTA AB.. Invention is credited to Lundberg, Rolf, Puusepp, Tomas.
Application Number | 20040025448 10/603655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30002447 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040025448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Puusepp, Tomas ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Mobile building unit as well as a building and a method for
constructing the building
Abstract
The invention relates to a mobile building unit which is
assembled to a building including at least one room (3) enclosed by
walls (6), a roof (7) and a floor (12) for accommodating radiating
equipment (5) and for treatment, therapy or diagnosing by means of
ionizing radiation. The walls, the roof and floor of said building
(1, 1') serve as a radiation shielding barrier for preventing
radiation at health-impairing levels from escaping to the outside
of the building structure. At least two of the walls and the roof
of the building, has the form of a double walled structure
comprising an inner (8) and an outer (9) partition element with a
space (10) therebetween. The building also has a filling inlet
through which the space is fillable with a fillable material, in
order to reduce weight and facilitate transportation of the
assembled building with the space in an emptied state, and to allow
filling of the space with the fillable material once the building
is located at a site, where it is to be used, to provide a
radiation shielding barrier with a sufficient shielding capacity.
The invention also relates to a method for constructing the
same.
Inventors: |
Puusepp, Tomas;
(Saltsjobaden, SE) ; Lundberg, Rolf; (Linkoping,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P.
P.O. Box 1404
Alexandria
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
ELEKTA AB.
Stockholm
SE
|
Family ID: |
30002447 |
Appl. No.: |
10/603655 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60393106 |
Jul 3, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G21F 7/00 20130101; E04H
2001/1283 20130101; G21F 3/04 20130101; E04H 3/08 20130101; G21F
3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/64 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/346; E04B
007/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 1, 2002 |
SE |
0202031-1 |
Claims
1. A mobile building unit, including at least two walls (6), a roof
(7) and a floor (12), which is movable to an operating site and
assembled there to form a building including at least one room (3)
defined by at least four walls, a roof, and a floor, characterised
in that at least two of the walls (6) and the roof (7) comprises a
double walled structure including an inner (8) and an outer (9)
partition element, forming a closed space (10) therebetween, to
allow filling of the spaces with a fillable material once the
building is assembled at the operating site, wherein the partition
elements and the fillable material in the closed spaces serve as a
radiation shielding to allow use of the building as a radiation
shielded building for accommodating radiating equipment for
treatment, therapy or diagnosing by means of ionising radiation,
and to enable easy emptying of the fillable material before
possible relocation of the building to another operating site.
2. A building unit according to claim 1, wherein the space (10)
forms a closed, liquid impermeabel tank.
3. A building unit according to claim 2, wherein the fillable
material is water which is containable in the tank.
4. A building unit according to claim 3, wherein it comprises a
system for monitoring the water level.
5. A building unit according to claim 1, wherein the fillable
material is sand which is containable in the space (10).
6. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein it is adapted to be assembled with at least one other
building unit (1, 1', 2).
7. A building including at least one room (3), enclosed by walls
(6), a roof (7) and a floor (12), for accommodating radiating
equipment (5) for treatment, therapy or diagnosing by means of
ionizing radiation, the walls, the roof and the floor of said
building (1, 1') serving as a radiation shielding barrier for
preventing radiation at health-impairing levels from escaping to
the outside of the building structure, wherein at least two of the
walls and the roof comprises a double walled structure comprising
an inner (8) and an outer (9) partition element with a space (10)
defined therebetween, and a filling inlet through which the space
is fillable with a fillable material to allow filling of the space
with the fillable material once the building is located at an
operating site, where it is to be used, to provide a radiation
shielding barrier with a sufficient shielding capacity.
8. A building according to claim 7, wherein the space (10) forms a
closed, liquid impermeable tank.
9. A building according to claim 8, wherein there are two or more
separate tanks (10) in the building.
10. A building according to claim 8, wherein the tank (10) contains
water.
11. A building according to claim 8, wherein it comprises a system
for monitoring the water level.
12. A building according to claim 8, wherein it comprises a system
for temperature control of the water.
13. A building according to claim 7, wherein the spaces (10)
contains sand.
14. A building according to claim 7, wherein it is adapted for
treatment of humans.
15. A building according to claim 7, wherein it is assembled of two
or more building units (1, 1').
16. A building according to any of the claims 7-15, wherein at
least three of the walls and the roof comprises a double walled
structure.
17. A method for constructing a building of the type including at
least one room (3), enclosed by walls (6), a roof (7) and a floor
(12), adapted for accommodating radiating equipment (5) for
treatment, therapy or diagnosing by means of ionising radiation,
including to construct the walls, the roof and the floor of said
room as a radiation shielding barrier for preventing radiation at
health-impairing levels from escaping to the outside of the
building during operation of the radiating equipment, characterised
by the steps; to construct the building in a modular form as a
mobile unit (1, 1') including at least two walls (6), a roof (7)
and a floor (12); to construct at least two of the walls and the
roof of the building unit as a double walled structure comprising
an inner (8) and an outer (9) partition element forming a closed
space (10) therebetween; to transport the mobile unit to an
operating site and assemble it there; and to fill the spaces with a
fillable material to provide a radiation shielding barrier with a
sufficient shielding capacity.
18. A method according to claim 17, including the further step to
fill the spaces (10) with water.
19. A method according to claim 17, including the further step to
fill the spaces (10) with sand.
20. A method according to claim 17, including the further step to
use the building for treatment of humans.
21. A method according to any of the claims 17-20, including the
further step to assemble the building of at least two building
units (1, 1').
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile building unit
including at least two walls, a roof and a floor, which is movable
to an operating site and assembled there to form a building
including at least one room defined by at least four walls, a roof,
and a floor.
[0002] The invention also relates to a building including at least
one room, enclosed by walls, a roof and a floor, for accommodating
radiating equipment for treatment, therapy or diagnosing by means
of ionizing radiation, wherein the walls, the roof and the floor of
said building serve as a radiation shielding barrier for preventing
radiation at health-impairing levels from escaping to the outside
of the building structure.
[0003] The invention also relates to a method for constructing a
building including such a room.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Installation of radiating equipment, such as equipment for
X-ray imaging, radiation surgery or therapy, or radiation
sterilization of various products such as e.g. foods or material,
is elaborate and time-consuming since the radiation generating
equipment must be enclosed by a radiation shielding so that only
the patient or the product being treated, is exposed to the high
radiation levels necessary. The radiation shielding is normally
accomplished by constructing the walls, roof and floor of the room,
where the equipment is located, of very thick concrete, often in
the order of about 500 mm or thicker. For an existing building this
necessitates an extensive reconstruction. Additionally, since the
equipment often is very heavy, e.g. equipment for radiation surgery
weighs about 20 tons, it may require reinforcement of the floor
structure.
[0005] An alternative method is to cover the walls, roof and floor
with plates of a material with high density, e.g. lead. However,
this will be more costly than by using concrete and at least
equally heavy.
[0006] Consequently, the radiation equipment normally is
accommodated in a separate building, either as a completely
freestanding building or connected to another building, such as a
main building of a hospital. However, constructing a completely new
building of concrete is elaborate and time-consuming and involves
planning, foundation work, concrete casting of the building
structure, installation of water pipe system, electrical system,
communication system, temperature control system and ventilating
system, inner and outer covering of the walls, roof and floor
including insulation if any, as well as installation of the
radiation equipment in the completed building. Altogether this is a
process which often is extended over a period of six months or
more.
[0007] Consequently, there is a long implementation time from the
decision to acquire new equipment to being able to put it into
operation. This is of course a big disadvantage since the radiation
equipment and the specially designed building, ties up a large
amount of capital and it is naturally desirable to have a rapid
yield on invested capital. From the buyers point of view it is
therefore of great advantage if the equipment can be put into
operation as soon as possible to gain benefit of the
investment.
[0008] Another disadvantage with such a specially constructed
radiation shielded building is that it is not a flexible solution
which can easily be re-allocated to another location, altered in
its size or used for another purpose. On the contrary it is very
difficult, or even impossible, to move a building of that size with
such thick concrete walls and roof, and it is also difficult to
rebuild or expand the building, e.g. for another application or
just to expand the space for the same or similar activity, if that
is desirable. The only remaining alternative in practice when it is
desirable to change the function or location, is therefore often to
demolish the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One object of the invention is to provide a mobile building
unit which easily and quickly can be assembled to serve as a
radiation shielded building for accommodating radiating
equipment.
[0010] The invention also refers to a building with essentially the
same object as above.
[0011] The invention also refers to a method which facilitates
constructing of a building adapted for accommodating radiating
equipment.
[0012] Accordingly, the invention is based on the understanding
that the above-mentioned objects can be achieved by constructing
the building in form of one or more mobile building units, wherein
at least two of the walls and the roof of the building units are
designed with an outer and an inner partition element with a space
or an accommodation between the partition elements, adapted to be
filled with a fillable radiation shielding material.
[0013] Thanks to the fact that the fillable material can be added
after the building units are already in place at the operating
site, the units are easily transportable in an empty state.
Therefore, the units can be manufactured at an industry plant or
construction site, remote from the final location or operating site
of the building, and thereafter transferred to the operating site
and assembled there.
[0014] During manufacturing of the units, the foundation work at
the operating site may be prepared so that when both the foundation
work and the units are completed, the units are transferred to the
operating site and assembled.
[0015] When the assembling is finished, the spaces between the
inner and outer partition elements may be filled with any fillable
material capable of providing radiation shielding when contained
within the spaces between the partition elements in the building
units. Suitable filling material include liquids, e.g. water, or a
particulate or grain shaped solid bulk material, e.g. sand.
[0016] By letting the fillable material form an essential or a main
part of the radiation shielding barrier between the radiation
equipment and the environment, the units will have a comparatively
low weight in a state where the spaces in the walls, the roof and
possibly the floor are unfilled. This enables transport of the
units by truck, train or boat from the construction site to the
operating site. Not until the units are installed and assembled at
the operating site, the radiation shielding is arranged by filling
the fillable material in the spaces in the building units.
[0017] This also enables removal or re-allocation of the building,
if so desired, by easily emptying of the fillable material and
thereafter loading the building units on a carriage.
[0018] The radiation shielded building may be formed in one single
unit but generally, the required size will make it advantageous to
assemble the building by connecting two or more mating units to
each other. In a hereafter shown and described preferred embodiment
of the invention, the radiation shielded building is composed of
two mating, "container-like" building units forming a radiation
shielded treatment room for treatment of a patient. The building
also comprises an operator room accommodated in a third building
unit, but that third building unit need not be radiation shielded
since no radiation is generated in the operator room. However, the
wall between the operator room and the treatment room must of
course be radiation shielded. In the preferred embodiment this has
not been accomplished by a fillable material in a space in the
wall, but through a sandwich wall structure with absorbing metal
plates, e.g. steel plates.
[0019] The width of the space in the walls, roof and possibly the
floor is dependent on for instance the type of radiation, the
radiation intensity and the type of material used as a fillable
material. In the exemplified embodiment, water is used as a
fillable material in a building adapted for radiation surgery with
gamma-radiation and in that case a space of between 500 to 1500 mm
is generally sufficient.
[0020] When using water as a fillable material, the spaces in the
walls, roof and possibly the floor of the building preferably are
formed as closed spaces or "tanks" to prevent leakage or
evaporation of the water. In the preferred embodiment, a thin layer
of insulation is arranged on the inside as well as the outside of
the walls and roof. To ensure a comfortably indoor climate and to
prevent freezing of the water to ice during winter, the water in
the spaces may be connected to a temperature controlling system for
warming the water during the cold season and possibly cooling the
water during the warm season.
[0021] The water in the partition spaces may also be automatically
monitored, by a water levelling system, to eliminate the risk of
unintentional lowering of the water level due to leakage,
evaporation or the like, and resulting deteriorated radiation
shielding protection.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment the partition elements in the
walls and roof are made of sheets of steel applied on a system of
steel beams. To prevent corrosion an additive preferably is added
to the water. However, it would be possible to make the partition
elements of other materials, such as for example concrete, possible
in combination with plastic film to ensure impermeability to
water.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment of a building, three of four
walls and the roof include waterfilled spaces. The wall between the
treatment room and the operator room does however not include a
waterfilled space, since the radiation from the radiation surgery
equipment, for which the building is adapted, is low in the area
behind the equipment and therefore the necessary radiation
shielding can be achieved by a comparatively thin layer of steel
sheets. Neither the floor is provided with a waterfilled space
since the building is adapted to be placed on a foundation in form
of a concrete slab which will provide for the necessary radiation
shielding. It is to be understood, however, that a building
according to the invention may be constructed with spaces filled
with various materials in all of the boundary elements defining the
building.
[0024] When using a pulverous or granular material, such as sand,
instead of a liquid, as a radiation shielding material, the walls,
roof and possibly the floor of the building may have another
design. Among other things the spaces need not be hermetical closed
to prevent evaporation. Generally, the inlet as well as the outlet
openings need to be of a larger dimension since a pulverous or
granular material, as a rule, are not possible to be pumped, but
must be poured or blown into and out from the spaces. The outlet
openings may, for instance, be in form of lids in the bottom
portions of the walls to allow emptying.
[0025] However, as a rule it is more advantageous to use a liquid
as a fillable material since then it is easier to monitor
unintentional lowering of the filling ratio of the material, and to
prevent unintentionally formation of air pockets, with deteriorated
shielding capacity as a result. Naturally, water is preferred as a
fillable material as it is a low cost material which is easily
accessible in most places.
[0026] When assembling the building of two or more building units,
it is important that all connection joints between different units
will be performed in a sealed manner to prevent radiation from
escaping to the environment. This is suitably ensured by forming
all connection joints in a labyrinth form.
[0027] With a building according to the invention, it is possible
to start the construction of the building structure essentially
simultaneously with the foundation work. The building structure is
preferably constructed at an industry plant and in the preferred
embodiment the building is assembled by three separate building
units. Two units forming the radiation shielded treatment room and
one unit forming a non-shielded operator room. Though preferred,
but not necessary, all units are assembled at the industry and are
provided with electrical system, communication system, temperature
control system, ventilating system, as well as inner and outer
covering of the walls, roof and floor including insulation if any.
However, as an alternative, some of the installation may be
performed at the operating site if that is desired. That is the
case for instance with the installation of the radiation equipment,
which often is both heavy and sensitive, and will normally be
postponed until the building is situated at the operating site. The
same applies normally for computers and other sensitive equipment
of course such sensitive equipment may also be pre-installed if
care is taken during transportation and handling.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment the building thereafter is
disassembled at the constructing site, into the separate units and
transported to the operating site where they are assembled on the
foundation. Finally the radiation equipment, computers and the
like, are installed after which the building and the equipment is
ready to be taken into operation.
[0029] In the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention, a radiation shielded building adapted
for use in radiation surgery of human beings is described. However,
it is to be understood that the building according to the invention
is applicable for any kind of radiation equipment, e.g. equipment
for treatment of animals or foods or any other type of living
organism or nonliving material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention will now be explained by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building adapted for
radiation treatment, including building units according to the
invention,
[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional plan view from above of the
building in FIG. 1, and
[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view along the line III-III
in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0034] In the drawings is shown a preferred embodiment of a
building, according to the invention, adapted especially for
radiation surgery treatment of human beings. The building is
assembled of three separate building units 1, 1', 2, of which only
the outer contour of the building unit 1' is shown in FIG. 1. A
treatment room 3 is jointly formed by the building units 1, 1' and
an operator room 4 is formed by the building unit 2.
[0035] The building units 1, 1', 2 has each, in the preferred
embodiment, a length in the order of about 6-9 m, a width of about
3-4 m and a height of about 4-5 m. Dimensions that makes them well
suited for transportation on roads or railways as well as by
sea.
[0036] As evident by the drawings, the building units 1, 1' are
essentially identical but reversed and include wall portions on
three of their four sides, a floor and a roof portion. The fourth
side of each of the building units is open in order to mutually
define a comparatively large treatment room 3 when placed adjacent
each other. A radiation generating unit 5 for radiation surgery is
placed in the treatment room 3 as shown in FIG. 2 and 3.
Accordingly, the treatment room 3 has to be provided with a
radiation shielding to prevent radiation from escaping from the
treatment room to the environment and to the operator room 4.
[0037] The radiation shielding for three of the wall portions 6,
which are faced toward the outside, and for the roof portion 7 of
the treatment room, is accomplished by each having a double walled
structure with an inner partition element 8, an outer partition
element 9 and a space 10 forming a closed tank between the inner
and outer partition elements 8, 9. The partition elements are
formed of steel plates or sheets on a system of steel beams, with a
space of about 800 to 1400 mm between the plates. The tank 10 may
be unitary and common for a whole building unit 1, 1', but it may
also be subdivided into smaller tanks. However, the tanks are
separate for each of the building units 1, 1'. Each tank forms a
closed, liquid tight container for water which is fillable through
not shown inlet openings.
[0038] The radiation shielding in the intermediate wall 11 between
the treatment room 3 and the operator room 4, on the other hand, is
provided by a sandwich wall structure including steel plates on a
system of steel beams. Between the treatment room 3 and the
operator room 4 is also a door 12 which is made of lead to give
sufficient radiation shielding.
[0039] The floor portion 13 of the building unit 1, 1' is in form
of a steel plate and does not in itself have sufficient radiation
shielding capacity. However, the floor portion 13 is adapted to
interact with a not shown foundation to provide the required
radiation shielding.
[0040] The wall and roof portions 6, 7 of the building units
include inner and outer insulation layers as well as inner and
outer covering layers. The building unit 2 also include a recess or
accommodation 16 adapted for installation of e.g. ventilation and
temperature controlling equipment.
* * * * *