Cargo container tomography scanning system
First Claim
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1. An X-ray computed tomography scanning system adapted to scan air cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband, comprising:
- a table that rotates about an axis of rotation, wherein the table is sized and adapted to receive and support thereon a cargo container sized and adapted to contain a plurality of pieces of luggage, and wherein the axis of rotation of the table extends in a vertical direction;
an X-ray source linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on one side of the table;
an X-ray detector linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on another side of the table, wherein the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are controlled such that they move in a synchronized manner when the table is rotated;
a conveyor for successively conveying cargo containers onto and off of the table;
an X-ray containment shield enclosing the table, the X-ray source, and the X-ray detector, wherein the shield includes doors for allowing passage of a cargo container onto and off of the table via the conveyor; and
a data acquisition system including a computer for receiving and processing signals generated by the X-ray detector, wherein the synchronized rotation of the table and linear movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector allows the data acquisition system to produce computed tomography images of a cargo container located on the rotating table.
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Abstract
An X-ray computed tomography scanning system adapted to scan air cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband. The system includes a table that rotates about an axis of rotation for supporting a cargo container, an X-ray source movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on one side of the table, and an X-ray detector movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on another side of the table.
117 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An X-ray computed tomography scanning system adapted to scan air cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband, comprising:
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a table that rotates about an axis of rotation, wherein the table is sized and adapted to receive and support thereon a cargo container sized and adapted to contain a plurality of pieces of luggage, and wherein the axis of rotation of the table extends in a vertical direction; an X-ray source linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on one side of the table; an X-ray detector linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on another side of the table, wherein the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are controlled such that they move in a synchronized manner when the table is rotated; a conveyor for successively conveying cargo containers onto and off of the table; an X-ray containment shield enclosing the table, the X-ray source, and the X-ray detector, wherein the shield includes doors for allowing passage of a cargo container onto and off of the table via the conveyor; and a data acquisition system including a computer for receiving and processing signals generated by the X-ray detector, wherein the synchronized rotation of the table and linear movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector allows the data acquisition system to produce computed tomography images of a cargo container located on the rotating table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of CT scanning cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband, comprising:
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enclosing an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a table within an X-ray containment enclosure, wherein the enclosure includes two or more doors adapted to open and close to allow passage of successive cargo containers onto and off of the table; opening one or more of the doors of the containment enclosure; conveying one or more cargo containers through doors of the containment enclosure and onto and off of the table, wherein the table is sized and adapted to receive and support thereon a cargo container; closing one or more of the doors to enclose a container supported on the table within the containment enclosure; rotating the table and a container to be scanned about an axis of rotation of the table, wherein the axis of rotation of the table extends in a vertical direction; simultaneously linearly moving the X-ray source and the X-ray detector parallel to the axis of rotation on opposite sides of the container as the container is rotated by the table so as to project an X-ray beam from the X-ray source, through the container to the X-ray detector as the X-ray source and the X-ray detector move parallel to the axis of rotation; and receiving and processing signals generated by the X-ray detector, wherein the simultaneous rotation of the table and linear movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector allows three dimensional projection and axial computed tomography images of a cargo container located on the rotating table to be produced. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An X-ray computed tomography scanning system adapted to scan air cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband, comprising:
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an X-ray containment enclosure; a table, positioned within the X-ray containment enclosure, that rotates about an axis of rotation, wherein the table is sized and adapted to receive and support thereon a cargo container sized and adapted to contain a plurality of pieces of luggage, and wherein the axis of rotation of the table extends in a vertical direction; an X-ray source linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on one side of the table within the X-ray containment enclosure, wherein the X-ray source is configured to emit X-rays only when the table is rotating; an X-ray detector linearly movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on another side of the table within the containment enclosure, wherein the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are controlled such that they move in a synchronized manner when the table is rotated; a conveyor for successively conveying cargo containers onto and off of the table, wherein the conveyor includes a plurality of individual conveyor sections, including an entrance conveyor section, an interim entrance conveyor section positioned within the containment enclosure between the table and the entrance conveyor section, an exit conveyor section, and an interim exit conveyor section positioned within the containment enclosure between the table and the exit conveyor section, and wherein the conveyor is configured to move one or more cargo containers while a cargo container is supported on the table within the containment enclosure; a data acquisition system including a computer for receiving and processing signals generated by the X-ray detector, wherein the synchronized rotation of the table and linear movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector allows the data acquisition system to produce computed tomography images of a cargo container located on the rotating table; and wherein the containment enclosure includes two movable doors for allowing passage of one or more cargo containers onto and off of the table via the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification