Freight container inspection system

• US 20030152193A1
• Filed: 12/24/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William E. Hodge
• Original Assignee: William E. Hodge
• Inventors: Hodge, William E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,376,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

A method and associated apparatus are given for the efficient and effective thorough inspection and remote examination of the contents of metal container cargo. This involves the use of a non-metallic box which fits inside a normal freight container and with securable doors to allow normal packing and removal of cargo. An attached handle would facilitate its withdrawal onto a platform during examination and for subsequent re-insertion into the metal container. An associated yoke containing an array of sensing devices and observation instruments is positioned at the platform to determine the contents non-invasively.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting the contents of metal containers used in the transport of freight, comprising the steps of:

a) placing the contents inside a sensor-transparent secured enclosure within the metal container; and

b) examining the contents of the sensor-transparent security compartment with an array of remote sensing devices.

2. An apparatus for inspecting the contents of metal containers used in the transport of freight, comprising:

a) a sensor-transparent security compartment with secure doors at the tail-end and sized to fit inside a metal freight container;

b) an array of sensing devices which can examine the contents of the secured enclosure through the security compartment structure; and

c) a platform on which the security compartment can be supported in its withdrawn configuration.

3. An apparatus for inspecting the contents of metal containers used in the transport of freight, comprising:

a) a sensor-transparent security compartment with secure doors at the tail-end and sized to fit inside a metal freight container with sufficient space between itself and the metal container to accommodate the insertion of an array of sensing devices;

b) an array of sensing devices which can examine the contents of the secured enclosure through the security compartment structure, and which can be deployed between the security compartment and the metal container wall.