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Rotate/rotate method and apparatus for computed tomography x-ray inspection of large objects

  • US 5,119,408 A
  • Filed: 10/31/1990
  • Issued: 06/02/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for inspecting a component having a dimension larger than a fan beam of an x-ray inspection system, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing an x-ray beam having a selected fan angle and a source focal point;

    (b) positioning a first portion of the component substantially completely within the x-ray beam;

    (c) rotating the component 360 degrees around a component inspection rotational axis;

    (d) collecting an attenuated x-ray beam that passes through the component during rotation;

    (e) generating a multiplicity of electrical signals responsive to the collected attenuated x-ray beam;

    (f) incrementally moving the component inspection rotational axis around the x-ray source focal point to position a next portion of the component within the x-ray beam, the component inspection rotational axis being maintained at a selected radius from the x-ray source focal point;

    (g) repeating steps (c), (d), (e) and (f) until all portions of the component to be inspected have passed through the x-ray fan beam; and

    (h) combining the electrical signals from step (e) to construct a cross-sectional image of the component at a selected plane through the component.

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