VARIOUS ARRANGEMENTS OF RADIATION AND FISSILE MATERIALS DETECTION SYSTEMS USING SENSOR ARRAYS IN SPREADER BARS, GANTRY CRANES, SELF-PROPELLED FRAME STRUCTURES, AND TRANSPORT VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A mobile frame structure configured for cargo container transport, with a set of distributed sensors mounted thereon and operable in close proximity to two or more sides of a container under inspection, comprising:
- a mobile frame structure configured for cargo container transport, the mobile frame structure including a spreader bar attached to the mobile frame structure;
first set of one or more gamma and/or neutron detectors mounted on at least one side of the mobile frame structure;
second set of one or more gamma and/or neutron detectors mounted on the spreader bar;
an analog signal to digital data converter, communicatively coupled with at least one detector of the first set and the second set to convert analog signal therefrom to digital data;
a communications device to couple the digital data to a communications network;
a high voltage power supply to provide power to the at least one detector of the first set and second set under software control to adjust the provided power for calibration of the detector;
a digital data collection system, communicatively coupled with the first set and second set of detectors, for collection of detector radiation data;
a multi-channel analyzer system, communicatively coupled with the digital data collection system, for preparing histograms of the collected detector radiation data;
a spectral analysis system, communicatively coupled with the multi-channel analyzer system and the digital data collection system, for receiving and analyzing the collected data and the histograms to detect and to identify one or more chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear or explosives (CBRNE) materials that are present within the container under inspection;
a first data storage means, communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis system, for storing data representing CBRNE spectra for use by the spectral analysis system, where one or more spectral images stored in the first data storage means represent at least one isotope; and
an information processing system, communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis system, for analyzing the identified one or more CBRNE materials to determine possible materials or goods that they represent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sensor arrays arranged in a detection system provide high performance detection of the presence of fissile material and radioactive material in cargo containers and at moderate cost. One or more sensor arrays operate to detect gamma and/or neutron radiation from one or more sides of a container that can be in transport relative to at least one of a spreader bar, a gantry crane, a self-propelled frame structure, and a transport vehicle. A combined use of any two or more of the following: a spreader bar radiation detector array, radiation detectors deployed on the frame of a gantry crane, extended radiation detectors, and a detector array deployed on a BOM cart, truck bed, or bottom area of the container, as the container is moved at a port enables comprehensive coverage of the container under inspection.
77 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A mobile frame structure configured for cargo container transport, with a set of distributed sensors mounted thereon and operable in close proximity to two or more sides of a container under inspection, comprising:
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a mobile frame structure configured for cargo container transport, the mobile frame structure including a spreader bar attached to the mobile frame structure; first set of one or more gamma and/or neutron detectors mounted on at least one side of the mobile frame structure; second set of one or more gamma and/or neutron detectors mounted on the spreader bar; an analog signal to digital data converter, communicatively coupled with at least one detector of the first set and the second set to convert analog signal therefrom to digital data; a communications device to couple the digital data to a communications network; a high voltage power supply to provide power to the at least one detector of the first set and second set under software control to adjust the provided power for calibration of the detector; a digital data collection system, communicatively coupled with the first set and second set of detectors, for collection of detector radiation data; a multi-channel analyzer system, communicatively coupled with the digital data collection system, for preparing histograms of the collected detector radiation data; a spectral analysis system, communicatively coupled with the multi-channel analyzer system and the digital data collection system, for receiving and analyzing the collected data and the histograms to detect and to identify one or more chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear or explosives (CBRNE) materials that are present within the container under inspection; a first data storage means, communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis system, for storing data representing CBRNE spectra for use by the spectral analysis system, where one or more spectral images stored in the first data storage means represent at least one isotope; and an information processing system, communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis system, for analyzing the identified one or more CBRNE materials to determine possible materials or goods that they represent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A multi-sided gamma detector array, comprising:
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gamma detectors deployed on a spreader bar and operable at a top side of a container under inspection as a top side detector array; and gamma detectors deployed on at least one side of a moveable frame structure operable on at least one side of the container under inspection as at least one of a right side detector array, a left side detector array, and a bottom side detector array, extending detectors down to a bottom area of the container under inspection, the combination of the top side detector array and the at least one of a right side detector array, a left side detector array, and a bottom side detector array, operable in detection and isotope identification of low amounts of radiological activity at all locations within the container under inspection. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A multi-sided gamma detector array mounted on a spreader bar system and moveable gantry crane, comprising
gamma detectors deployed on a spreader bar providing for a top side array at a top region of a container under inspection; - and
gamma detectors deployed on a side of a moveable gantry crane providing for a side detector array extending gamma detectors down to a bottom region of a container under inspection, to enable detection and isotope identification of low amounts of radiological activity at all locations within a container under inspection. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification