Compact mobile cargo scanning system

• US 10,670,769 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2018
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morton, Edward James, Baldwin, Francis, Kotowski, Andreas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiknadze, Irakli
• Application Number:
  US15/988,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20190137650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 378 57, 378 86, 378102, 378198, 378196
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/639 material in a container
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/22 Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/232 having relative motion between the source, detector and object other than by conveyor G01V5/226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/02 Constructional details

Abstract

The present invention is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present invention is an improved method and system with a novel boom structure that reduces the weight of the boom. The single, light-weight boom of the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low height and center of gravity lending to greater maneuverability.

Claims

1. An inspection system comprising:

a vehicle;

a platform attached to the vehicle and configured to rotate; and

a boom comprising;

a first vertical support attached to the platform;

a second vertical support telescopically extendable from the first vertical support, wherein the first vertical support and the second vertical support are configured to rotate based upon a rotation of the platform;

a horizontal member attached to the second vertical support;

a support member pivotably hinged to the horizontal member, wherein, in a first position, the support member is parallel to the first horizontal member and, in a second position, the support member is configured to extend perpendicular to the horizontal member; and

an X-ray source coupled to at least one of the vehicle, the platform, or the boom.

2. The inspection system of claim 1 wherein the X-ray source is a linear accelerator operating in a range of 2.5 MV to 6 MV.

3. The inspection system of claim 2 wherein the inspection system is adapted to have a penetration performance in a range of 200 mm to 400 mm.

4. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the boom defines a portal and wherein the portal is configured to allow passage of a vehicle having a width of less than 4 m and a height of less than 5.3 m.

5. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray source is a dual energy source configured to interleave high energy pulses and low energy pulses.

6. The inspection system of claim 5, wherein the high energy pulses have an energy of 6 MV.

7. The inspection system of claim 6, wherein the low energy pulses have an energy of less than 6 MV.

8. The inspection system of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein the plurality of detectors comprises high energy detectors and low energy detectors.

9. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to an internal area within the boom.

10. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate 90 degrees to position the boom perpendicular to a side of the vehicle.

11. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate 80 degrees to position the boom offset to a side of the vehicle.

12. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate and deploy the boom in a range of 75 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a scanning direction.

13. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the boom has a weight and wherein the boom is positioned such that, upon movement of the boom, the weight is substantially distributed over a rear axle of the vehicle.

14. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein each of the plurality of detectors comprises at least one of cadmium, zinc, cesium or iodine.

15. An inspection system comprising:

a vehicle;

a platform attached to the vehicle and configured to rotate;

a boom comprising;

a vertical support attached to the platform, wherein the vertical support is configured to move upwards and downwards and configured to rotate based upon a rotation of the platform;

a horizontal member attached to the vertical support;

a support member pivotably hinged to the horizontal member, wherein, in a first position, the support member is parallel to the first horizontal member and, in a second position, the support member is configured to extend perpendicular to the horizontal member;

a linear accelerator configured to operate at an energy range between 2.5 MV and 6MV and coupled to at least one of the vehicle, the platform, or the boom; and

an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate to thereby position the boom at an angle relative to a side of the vehicle.

16. The inspection system of claim 15 wherein the inspection system is adapted to have a penetration performance in a range of 200 mm to 400 mm.

17. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the boom defines a portal and wherein the portal is configured to allow passage of a vehicle having a width of less than 4 m and a height of less than 5.3 m.

18. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the linear accelerator is a dual energy source configured to interleave high energy pulses and low energy pulses.

19. The inspection system of claim 18, wherein the high energy pulses have an energy of 6 MV.

20. The inspection system of claim 19, wherein the low energy pulses have an energy of less than 6 MV.

21. The inspection system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein the plurality of detectors comprises high energy detectors and low energy detectors.

22. The inspection system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to an internal area within the boom.

23. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the platform to rotate 90 degrees to position the boom perpendicular to the vehicle.

24. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the boom has a weight and wherein the boom is positioned such that, upon movement of the boom, the weight is substantially distributed over a rear axle of the vehicle.

25. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the angle is in a range of 75 degrees to 90 degrees.

26. The inspection system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein each of the plurality of detectors comprises at least one of cadmium, zinc, cesium or iodine.