Cargo Scanning System

• US 20090245462A1
• Filed: 03/03/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kotowski, Andreas F., Agrawal, Neeraj
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/639 material in a container
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/0008 Detecting hidden objects, e.g. weapons, explosives sorting of materials or articles according to radioactive properties B07C5/342; investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation G01N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

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.

Claims

1. A mobile inspection system for generating an image representation of target object using a radiation source, comprising:

a foldable boom which is configured to physically attach to a vehicle;

a first detector array housing physically attached to at least one 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 at least one 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 at least one vertical portion of said boom and wherein the radiation source and first detector array housing are configured to form a beam path and wherein said beam path is skewed at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to at least one side of said vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic system located in the vehicle to rotate the boom.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor to determine when a target object is positioned between the radiation source and at least one of the first or second detector array.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the sensor, upon being activated by the movement of a target object, transmits a signal to activate said radiation source.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one vertical portion of the boom has a main body physically attached to the vehicle, at least one horizontal portion of the boom has an outer arm physically attached to the main body, and at least one vertical portion of the boom has a telescopic arm physically attached to the outer arm.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the boom has a first configuration and a second configuration.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein, in said first configuration, the outer arm and telescopic arm are positioned in a substantially parallel horizontal alignment with said vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein, in said second configuration, the outer arm and telescopic arm are positioned in a substantially perpendicular alignment with said vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation source is collimated through an adjustable collimator.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation source is aligned with at least one the first or second detector array.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the radiation source is aligned with at least one of the first or second detector array using optical triangulation techniques.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said detectors in at least one of the first or second detector arrays and are angled at substantially 90 degrees relative to a focal point of said radiation source.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said detectors are arranged in a dual row.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said dual row of detectors are configured in an interlacing configuration.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein data generated by said dual row of detectors are subjected to imaging processing.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said imaging processing blends images detected by each of said dual rows into a single image.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein the radiation source is an X-ray tube operating in excess o 200 keV.

17-31. -31. (canceled)

33. A mobile inspection system for generating an image representation of target object using a radiation source, comprising:

a foldable boom which is configured to physically attach to a vehicle;

a first detector array housing physically attached to at least one horizontal portion of the foldable boom, wherein said first detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors; and

at least one source of radiation wherein said radiation source is fixedly attached to at least one vertical portion of said boom and wherein the detectors in said first detector array housing are arranged in a dual row.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said dual row of detectors are configured in an interlacing configuration.

35. The system of claim 33 further comprising a second detector array housing physically attached to the foldable boom wherein the second detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors arranged in a dual row and wherein said dual row of detectors in the second detector array are configured in an interlacing configuration.