X-ray examining apparatus for large-volume goods

• US 5,692,028 A
• Filed: 09/06/1996
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Original Assignee: Heimann Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Geus, Georg, Hahn, Norman, Zollmann, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Application Number:
  US08/708,936
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 378/57-62, 378/146, 378/189, 378/193-198
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

An X-ray examining system includes a mobile vehicle; and an X-ray examining apparatus for ascertaining contents of an object. The examining apparatus includes a supporting structure mounted on the mobile vehicle; and X-ray source for generating a fan-shaped X-ray and being carried by the vehicle; and an X-ray detector mounted on the supporting structure. The X-ray examining system is adapted to travel along the object to be examined while irradiating the object and detecting the X-rays after passage thereof through the object.

Claims

1. An X-ray examining system comprising

(a) a mobile vehicle;

and

(b) an X-ray examining apparatus for ascertaining contents of an object;

said apparatus including

(1) a supporting structure mounted on said mobile vehicle;

said supporting structure being portal-shaped for surrounding the object on top and on opposite sides thereof during X-ray examination;

said supporting structure including

(i) a generally vertical column mounted on said vehicle and rotatable relative to said vehicle about a generally vertical axis;

said column having an upper end;

(ii) a generally horizontal beam having opposite first and second end portions;

said beam being attached to said upper end at said first end portion for rotation with said column as a unit for assuming an inoperative position vertically above said mobile vehicle and an operative position in which said beam extends laterally from said vehicle; and

(iii) an arm pivotally attached to said second end portion of said beam for assuming an inoperative position in which said arm extends parallel to said beam and an operative position in which said arm extends generally vertically downwardly from said beam;

(2) an X-ray source for generating a fan-shaped X-ray beam;

said X-ray source being carried by said vehicle; and

(3) an X-ray detector mounted on said supporting structure;

said X-ray examining system being adapted to travel along the object to be examined while irradiating the object and detecting the X-rays after passage thereof through the object.

2. The X-ray examining system as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for a height adjustment of said beam relative to said vehicle.

3. The X-ray examining system as defined in claim 1, wherein said X-ray source is attached to said column for rotation therewith as a unit about said axis.

4. The X-ray examining system as defined in claim 1, wherein said X-ray detector is composed of a plurality of X-ray detector elements mounted on said beam and said arm, in said operative position of said arm said detector elements being arranged in an L-shaped pattern.

5. The X-ray examining system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a driver'"'"'s cab situated externally of a danger zone in which said X-ray source and said X-ray detector operate.