Baggage inspection device

• US 4,047,035 A
• Filed: 01/06/1976
• Issued: 09/06/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heimann GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heimann GmbH
• Inventors: Dennhoven, Manfred, Kunze, Claus, Kuehn, Rainhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Harold A.
• Application Number:
  US05/649,663
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 250/409, 250/460, 250/354, 250/355, 250/359
• US Class Current: 378/57
• 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: H05G 1/38 Exposure time time switches in general H01H43/00 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/46 Combined control of different quantities, e.g. exposure time as well as voltage or current

Abstract

A baggage inspection apparatus utilizing an X-ray generator for fluoroscopic examination of luggage and the like in which an X-ray detector is disposed in the beam path of the X-ray generator, operative to control switch means for switching off the high voltage of the X-ray beam generator in the event the intensity and/or duration of the X-ray radiation exceeds a predetermined value.

Claims

1. In a device for inspection of objects, particularly luggage and the like, by means of X-rays originating from an X-ray generator and penetrating the object being inspected to produce an image on a fluorescent screen, which image may be directly observable or, in combination with a television circuit, indirectly observable, the combination of an X-ray detector, a photo-conductive cell having an applied layer of X-ray sensitive luminescent material, said photo-conductive cell being disposed in the beam path of the X-ray generator directly at the beam outlet opening thereof, and means operatively connected to said X-ray detector and the high voltage circuit of the X-ray generator for switching off the high voltage generator in the event the intensity and/or duration of the emitted radiation at the detector exceeds a predetermined value.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detector is operable to create a current flow dependent on the dosage of the X-rays, and means including an integration amplifier to which such current flow is supplied, which is operative to cut-off the high voltage of the X-ray beam generator when a preset limit of its integrated output voltage is exceeded.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the luminescent material is zinc-cadmium sulphide.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the X-ray detector is operable to create a current flow dependent on the dosage of the X-rays, and means including an integration amplifier to which such current flow is supplied, which is operative to cut-off the high voltage of the X-ray beam generator when a preset limit of its integrated output voltage is exceeded.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the luminescent material is covered by a synthetic protective coating of resin.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the X-ray detector is a photo-conductive cell having an applied layer of X-ray sensitive luminescent material, which photo-conductive cell is disposed directly at the beam outlet opening of the X-ray generator.