Multiple Pass Cargo Inspection System

• US 20090238336A1
• Filed: 03/16/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Akery, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,860,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/044 using laminography or tomosynthesis
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/24 with semiconductor detectors
• 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 5/232 having relative motion between the source, detector and object other than by conveyor G01V5/226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 9/00 Linear accelerators

Abstract

The present invention is a cargo inspection system, employing a radiation source, capable of scanning vehicles and/or cargo in a wide range of sizes, including conventional imaging areas as well as taller and bulkier enclosures at sufficiently optimal efficacy and overall throughput. In one embodiment, the present invention is a multiple pass inspection method for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, comprising a first pass scan, wherein said first pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

Claims

1. A multiple pass inspection method for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, comprising a first pass scan, wherein said first pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

2. The multiple pass inspection method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises a second pass scan, wherein said second pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a second suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a second suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

3. The multiple pass inspection method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises a third pass scan, wherein said third pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a third suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a third suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

4. A multiple pass inspection system for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, wherein said inspection system comprises:

a radiation source rotatably attached to a movable gantry, wherein said radiation source is movable in a vertical direction and wherein, upon movement in a vertical direction, rotates in a range of 0 to 90 degrees; and

a detector array, wherein said detector array pivots around an axis to remain in continual alignment with said radiation source upon the movement of said radiation source.

5. The multiple pass inspection system of claim 4, wherein said radiation source is an X-ray source.

6. The multiple pass inspection system of claim 4, wherein said radiation source is a gamma source.

7. The multiple pass inspection system of claim 4, wherein said radiation source is a linear accelerator.

8. The multiple pass inspection system of claim 4 wherein the detector array is rotated about an axis at an angle equal to that of the radiation source, so that they are in continual alignment.

9. The multiple pass inspection system of claim 4 wherein the radiation source and the detector array are mounted on the movable gantry.

10. A multiple pass inspection method for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, comprising at least a first pass scan and a second pass scan, wherein said first pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a first suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a first suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection and wherein said second pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a second suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a second suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.

11. A multiple pass inspection method for inspecting vehicles and their cargo, comprising at least a first pass scan, a second pass scan, and a third pass scan,

wherein said first pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a first suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a first suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection;

wherein said second pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a second suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a second suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection; and

wherein said third pass scan includes moving a radiation source at a third suitable scanning distance, rotating a radiation source at a third suitable scanning angle, and moving said radiation source along an object under inspection.