X-ray system comprising an x-ray source, a detector assembly, and an aperture

• US 20040134986A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Original Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
• Inventors: Studer, Wolfgang, Kirsten, Erwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,308,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/0016 Active interrogation, i.e. using an external radiation source, e.g. using pulsed, continuous or cosmic rays
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to an X-ray system for voluminous objects, known in the form of mobile devices that are displaced over the object, or in the form of fixed X-ray systems through which a voluminous object to be inspected (inspection product) is passed. Heavy goods vehicles or delivery vans (VAN) frequently constitute said objects to be inspected and pass through the silhouette system under their own propulsion. The X-rays are activated and deactivated by a preferably three-phase photoelectric barrier system. The aim of the invention is to activate or deactivate the X-rays of an X-ray source using a simple barcode that is attached to an object to be inspected, the object being driven past the X-ray source at a defined distance from the latter. The X-rays of X-ray sources of this type are generally activated by a diaphragm. It is thus advantageous if a barcode reader is located in a predetermined proximity to the diaphragm to define the activation or deactivation of the X-rays.

Claims

1. X-ray system having at least one X-ray source for producing at least one X-ray beam, at least one detector assembly, and at least one diaphragm which passes the X-rays toward the detector assembly, characterized in that

a barcode reader (4) is affixed in a predetermined proximity to the diaphragm (2), which

detects a barcode (7) on an object (5, 6) moved along the diaphragm (2), thus causing

the diaphragm (2) to be opened and/or closed once the barcode (7) has been detected.

2. X-ray system from claim 1, characterized in that the opening or closing of the diaphragm (3) is triggered by a defined inspection start (8) or a defined inspection end (9) of the object (5, 6) moved past the diaphragm (2).

3. X-ray system from claim 2, characterized in that the barcode (7) contains the information on an inspection start (8) at a precise point or an inspection end (9) at a precise point or both.

4. X-ray system from one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the barcode (7) contains additional information about the object (5, 6) as object-dependent data.

5. X-ray system from claim 4, characterized in that this information can be used for later data processing.

6. X-ray system from claim 4, characterized in that this information can be used at opening or closing of the diaphragm (3) for activating and/or deactivating the at least one X-ray beam (FX).

7. X-ray system from one of the preceding claims 1 through 6, characterized in that the object (5, 6) can be moved past the X-ray system (1) at a distance of up to 1.50 m from the barcode reader (4).

8. X-ray system from one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the distance between the barcode reader (4) and the diaphragm (2) determines the distance between the barcode (7) to be applied to the object (5, 6) and the inspection start (8) or the inspection end (9) of the object (5, 6).

9. X-ray system from one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the barcode (7) is applied to the object (5, 6) by means of a magnetic disk or an adhesive.

10. X-ray system from one of the preceding claims 1 through 9, characterized in that the objects (5, 6) are large.

11. X-ray system from claim 10, characterized in that the objects (5, 6) are motor vehicles with different length driver'"'"'s cabs (5.2, 6.2) and cargo areas (5.1, 6.1) to which the barcode (7) is applied as desired.

12. X-ray system from claim 10, characterized in that the object to be inspected is a cargo container.