Sidescatter X-ray detection system
First Claim
1. An edge enhancement X-ray imaging system for inspecting an object, comprising:
- a source of penetrating radiation;
means for forming radiation emitted by said source into a beam of predetermined cross-section;
means for scanning said beam across said object to be inspected;
responsive to radiation sidescattered by said object, a first pair of radiant detectors symmetrically positioned opposite each other and being adjacent two sides of said object for converting sidescattered radiation into a first pair of electrical signals including information defining a location of an edge of a component of said object;
processing means responsive to said first pair of electrical signals for determining a difference in magnitude therebetween, said difference being dependent on a position of said beam during the scanning of said object; and
display means responsive to said processing means for producing a first visual image which includes a representation of said edge of a component located on said object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An edge enhancement X-ray imaging system inspects an object for detecting an illegal component. The system illuminates the object with penetrating radiation which is sidescattered from the object and captured by a pair of radiant detectors. The detectors are symmetrically positioned opposite each other, being adjacent the two sides of the object. Each detector has a detecting surface substantially parallel to the beam for converting sidescattered radiation into a pair of electrical signals which define a location of an edge of the illegal component. In response to the electrical signals, a video display produces a visual image of the edge. In another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a pair of backscatter detectors which convert the backscattered radiation into a second pair of electrical signals producing a second visual image on the video display. As a result of superimposing the second image onto the first image associated with the sidescatter detectors, the detection of components of the object is greatly improved.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An edge enhancement X-ray imaging system for inspecting an object, comprising:
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a source of penetrating radiation; means for forming radiation emitted by said source into a beam of predetermined cross-section; means for scanning said beam across said object to be inspected; responsive to radiation sidescattered by said object, a first pair of radiant detectors symmetrically positioned opposite each other and being adjacent two sides of said object for converting sidescattered radiation into a first pair of electrical signals including information defining a location of an edge of a component of said object; processing means responsive to said first pair of electrical signals for determining a difference in magnitude therebetween, said difference being dependent on a position of said beam during the scanning of said object; and display means responsive to said processing means for producing a first visual image which includes a representation of said edge of a component located on said object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of inspecting an object using an edge enhancement X-ray imaging system, said method comprising the steps of:
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scanning a beam of penetrating radiation across said object; moving said object relative to said scanning beam; detecting radiation sidescattered by said object; converting sidescattered radiation into a first pair of electrical signals which include information defining a location of an edge of a component of said object; determining a difference in magnitude between electrical signals of said first pair, said difference being dependent on a position of said beam during the scanning of said object; and producing a first visual image of said edge in response to said determination. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification