Inspection device

• US 20020176534A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Original Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Inventors: Meder, Claus
• Granted Patent: US 6,580,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• 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 5/224 Multiple energy techniques using one type of radiation, e.g. X-rays of different energies

Abstract

The invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting objects, particularly for explosives. The invention makes provision, particularly where space for the inspection system is tight, to use at least the available area as a scanning area, around which is arranged at least one movable radiation source at which is aimed a detector arrangement that can be moved mechanically independently of the radiation source. In this context, the radiation source and also the detector arrangement can be moved parallel to and simultaneously with one another by mechanical or electrical coupled actuators. The synchronous movement is controlled and monitored with the aid of a computer. Because of the tight space, provision is further made for the object to be scanned in the direction of and opposite to the direction of transport of the object, wherein the object is scanned once with low-energy radiation, and subsequently is scanned with high-energy radiation. The image segments thus generated are recorded separately, stored, and analyzed together.

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspection of an object, in which the object to be inspected is moved between at least one radiation source and at least one linear detector arrangement directed at said radiation source for scanning the object, while the object is stationary, wherein

the radiation source and the linear detector arrangement are moved in parallel over the object so that the object is scanned in the direction of transport of the object and also scanned in a direction opposite to the direction of transport of the object, wherein

during a first scan the object is scanned with low-energy radiation, and during a second scan the object is scanned with high-energy radiation.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the low-energy radiation, and also the high-energy radiation of the at least one radiation source are each turned on by switching the radiation source over.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the object is scanned again after stepwise advance of the object until the entire object has been scanned.

4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein an image segment recorded during said first scan, and an image segment recorded during said second scan together constitute a joint image, which is analyzed.

5. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein

the inspection device is integrated in a housing of a separate system or vice versa, and

in order to extend a radiation tunnel of the inspection device in front of a scanning region, a shield that works together therewith is affixed onto or around a system component that is part of a separate piece of equipment.

6. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein a system component of the separate piece of equipment is incorporated into the inspection device and equipped with shielding.

7. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein a radiation transmissive belt, which replaces a belt of the separate piece of equipment, is incorporated in the scanning region.

8. The inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the system component is incorporated in a shield housing of the inspection device.

9. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source and the linear detector arrangement are moved synchronously but mechanically independent of one another, through the control of a computer.

10. The inspection according to claim 5, wherein the separate piece of equipment is a transport system of a check-in counter.

11. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein the length of the shield is not shorter than one maximum suitcase length.

12. The inspection device according to claim 11, wherein the maximum suitcase length is 100 cm.

13. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein a closable curtain or roller shutter is integrated in the shield.

14. The inspection device according to claim 13, wherein the curtain or roller shutter is attached at the entrance or beginning of the shield.

15. The inspection device according to claim 5, wherein a camera is provided inside the shield.

16. The inspection device according to claim 7, wherein a sliding plate with low absorption is integrated in the belt.