X-ray determination of the mass distribution in containers
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring the mass of at least one object having a characteristic mass attenuation factor to penetrating radiation, the mass attenuation factor being a function at least of the energy of the penetrating radiation, the object being characterized by an unknown composition and being disposed within a container, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a source of penetrating radiation for generating a beam incident upon the container at a region of incidence;
b. a scanner for causing the region of incidence to traverse a planar projection of the container;
c. at least one detector having an output proportional to the intensity of the penetrating radiation traversing the container at the region of incidence;
d. an energy selection arrangement permitting analysis of penetrating radiation having energies dominated by Compton scattering; and
e. a controller for determining the mass of the at least one object based on the output of the at least one detector, independently of knowledge of the composition of the at least one object.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring, in a non-invasive manner, the individual mass of objects in containers by means of x-ray transmission radiography in which a beam of penetrating radiation is sent through the container and the transmitted intensity for those photons that interact dominantly via the Compton effect are measured. The masses of the objects in the container are measured with respect to the mass of known objects determined in independent or concurrent measurements.
171 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring the mass of at least one object having a characteristic mass attenuation factor to penetrating radiation, the mass attenuation factor being a function at least of the energy of the penetrating radiation, the object being characterized by an unknown composition and being disposed within a container, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a source of penetrating radiation for generating a beam incident upon the container at a region of incidence;
b. a scanner for causing the region of incidence to traverse a planar projection of the container;
c. at least one detector having an output proportional to the intensity of the penetrating radiation traversing the container at the region of incidence;
d. an energy selection arrangement permitting analysis of penetrating radiation having energies dominated by Compton scattering; and
e. a controller for determining the mass of the at least one object based on the output of the at least one detector, independently of knowledge of the composition of the at least one object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for measuring the mass of at least one object having a characteristic mass attenuation factor to penetrating radiation, the mass attenuation factor being a function at least of the energy of the penetrating radiation, the object being disposed within a container, the method comprising:
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a. generating a beam of penetrating radiation incident upon the container at a region of incidence;
b. scanning the region of incidence such as to traverse a planar projection of the container;
c. selecting a range of energies of penetrating radiation dominated by Compton scattering for detection;
d. detecting the penetrating radiation traversing the container at the selected range of energies at the region of incidence;
e. producing a detector output proportional to the intensity of the penetrating radiation traversing the container; and
f. determining the mass of the at least one object based on the detector output. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification