Cargo Scanning System
First Claim
1. A mobile inspection system for generating an image representation of target object using a radiation source, comprising:
- a foldable boom comprising a first vertical portion which is physically attached to said vehicle, a first horizontal portion, and a second vertical portion;
a first detector array housing physically attached to the first horizontal portion of the foldable boom, wherein said first detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors;
a second detector array housing physically attached to the first vertical portion of the foldable boom wherein the second detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors; and
at least one source of radiation wherein said radiation source is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second vertical portion of said boom and wherein the radiation source can be placed in a first position that orients a zero degree center point of said radiation source toward a lower portion of the target object and in a second position that orients the zero degree center point of said radiation source toward an upper portion of the target object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, rapidly deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The present invention is directed toward a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising a mobile vehicle, a detector array physically attached to a movable boom having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is physically attached to the vehicle. The invention also comprises at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is fixedly attached to the distal end of the boom, wherein the image is generated by introducing the target objects in between the radiation source and the detector array, exposing the objects to radiation, and detecting radiation.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A mobile inspection system for generating an image representation of target object using a radiation source, comprising:
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a foldable boom comprising a first vertical portion which is physically attached to said vehicle, a first horizontal portion, and a second vertical portion;
a first detector array housing physically attached to the first horizontal portion of the foldable boom, wherein said first detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors;
a second detector array housing physically attached to the first vertical portion of the foldable boom wherein the second detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors; and
at least one source of radiation wherein said radiation source is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second vertical portion of said boom and wherein the radiation source can be placed in a first position that orients a zero degree center point of said radiation source toward a lower portion of the target object and in a second position that orients the zero degree center point of said radiation source toward an upper portion of the target object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for inspecting objects using an inspection system that generates an image representation of a target object using a radiation source, comprising the steps of:
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transporting a detector array, a foldable boom, and at least one source of radiation to an operation site, wherein the foldable boom comprises a first vertical portion, which is physically attached to said vehicle, a first horizontal portion, and a second vertical portion;
wherein the detector array is housed within a first detector array housing physically attached to the first horizontal portion of the foldable boom and a second detector array housing physically attached to the first vertical portion of the foldable boom, and wherein the radiation source is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second vertical portion of said boom;
creating a detection region by moving said first horizontal portion of the boom away from said vehicle and by moving said second vertical portion of the boom into a substantially parallel position relative to said first vertical portion;
moving the vehicle passed the target object such that said target object passes through said detection region;
orienting a zero degree center point of said radiation source toward a lower portion of the target object and activating said radiation source;
orienting the zero degree center point of said radiation source toward an upper portion of the target object;
exposing the target object to radiation emitted from the radiation source wherein the exposing step results in secondary radiation; and
detecting secondary radiation by the detector array. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification