Mobile X-ray inspection system for large objects

• US 6,292,533 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Science and Engineering Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American Science and Engineering Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tybinkowski, Andrew, Swift, Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US09/855,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 126 Days
• Field of Search: 378/57, 378/198
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/20 by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structure; by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materials; by using reflection of the radiation by the materials
• 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: G01V 5/222 measuring scattered radiation

Abstract

A device for inspecting a cargo container such as a motor vehicle or freight pallet, with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on a moveable bed, thereby allowing a beam of penetrating radiation to sweep the large container. At least one detector is also mounted on the bed, either on the side of the source or on a boom, so that, as the beam is scanned across the container, the container and any contents of the container are characterized by transmitted or scattered radiation, or both.

Claims

1. A system for inspecting a large object with penetrating radiation during motion of the system in a scan direction, the system comprising:

(a) a vehicle having wheels and an engine for propelling the vehicle on highways;

(b) a boom having a proximal end rotatable about a point on the vehicle and a distal end, the boom deployed transversely to the scan direction for straddling the object during operation of the system;

(c) a source of penetrating radiation coupled to the vehicle for providing a beam so that the beam is caused to irradiate a first side of the object as the vehicle is moved in the scan direction; and

(d) at least one detector coupled to the vehicle on a side of the object opposing the first side, the at least one detector having a signal output, the at least one detector providing a signal for imaging the object.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the source of penetrating radiation includes a source of penetrating radiation having an energy in substantial excess of 200 keV.

3. A device according to claim 1, further including a control mechanism for control of the motion of the vehicle by an on-board operator during traversal by the beam of the object.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the source of penetrating radiation is an x-ray source.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the x-ray source is an x-ray tube.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the source of penetrating radiation includes an x-ray tube operating at a voltage in substantial excess of 200 kV.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is a transmission detector.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the beam is a pencil beam scanned repeatedly along a second direction having a vertical component.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the source of penetrating radiation includes a source of a pencil beam of penetrating radiation that is scanned repeatedly over an angle of regard, the angle having an orientation with respect to the horizontal, the device further comprising a steering arrangement for steering the orientation of the angle of regard with respect to the horizontal.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is attached directly to the vehicle.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is coupled to a vertical member pivotably coupled to the distal end of the boom.

12. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a beam stop for absorbing penetrating radiation after traversal of the object.