Density detection using real time discrete photon counting for fast moving targets
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting and graphically displaying a contents of a fast-moving target object comprises: a radiation source, having a position such that at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source passes through the fast-moving target object, the fast-moving target object having a variable velocity and acceleration while maintaining a substantially constant distance from the radiation source and being selected from the group consisting of: a vehicle, a cargo container and a railroad car; a velocity measuring device configured to measure the variable velocity of the fast-moving target object; a detector array comprising a plurality of photon detectors, having a position such that at least some of the at least a portion of the radiation passing through the target object is received thereby, the detector array having a variable count time according to the variable velocity and a grid unit size; a counter circuit coupled to the detector array for discretely counting a number of photons entering individual photon detectors, the counter circuit measuring a count rate according to a contents within the fast-moving target object; a high baud-rate interface coupled to the counter circuit for sending count information from the counter circuit at a rate fast enough to support real-time data transfer therethrough; and a processor coupled to the velocity measuring device and to the high-baud-rate interface, receiving count information from the high baud-rate interface and generating distortion-free image data in real time as a function of the count information and the variable velocity. A method for using the system is also disclosed.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1-11. -11. (Cancelled)
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12. A target object inspection system comprising:
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a radiation source emitting radiation at greater than 500 keV for irradiating a target object;
a detector element responsive to radiation from the radiation source;
a mobile platform coupled to the radiation source and the detector element; and
a deployable boom coupled to the radiation source and the mobile platform and configured such that in a deployed configuration the target object passes between the radiation source and the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for inspecting a target object comprising:
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controlling a boom connected to a radiation source emitting radiation at greater than 500 keV and a movable platform including a detector element, so that the radiation source and the detector can straddle the target object;
directing photons from the radiation source at the target object;
collecting at least a portion of the photons at the detector element; and
displaying an image of the target object based on the at least a portion of the photons collected at the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A target object inspection system comprising:
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a radiation source configurable to irradiate a target object with photons;
a detector element responsive to radiation from the radiation source and outputting a signal proportional to the number of photons detected;
a mobile platform including both the radiation source and the detector element;
a boom connected to the radiation source and the mobile platform, the boom being depolyable so as to effect passage of the target object between the radiation source and the detector element; and
a processor configurable to count photons received by the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for inspecting a target object comprising:
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controlling a boom connected to a radiation source and a movable platform including a detector element, so that the radiation source and the detector can straddle the target object;
directing photons from the radiation source at the target object;
collecting at least a portion of the photons at the detector element; and
counting the at least a portion of the photons. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification