Shielding detection system for cargo receptacles

• US 7,545,268 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2006
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quintell of Ohio LLC
• Original Assignee: Quintell of Ohio LLC
• Inventors: Bohinc, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/279,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.26, 340/539.29, 340/539.1, 340/3.1, 340/506, 340/511
• US Class Current: 340/539.26
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/26 Passive interrogation, i.e. by measuring radiation emitted by objects or goods
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/271 using a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like

Abstract

A shielding detection system for cargo receptacles includes an inertia test apparatus configured to detect mass and inertia data of a cargo receptacle. The inertia test apparatus provides an indication of the presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle.

Claims

1. A shielding detection system for cargo receptacles comprising:

an inertia test apparatus configured to detect mass and inertia data of a cargo receptacle, the inertia test apparatus providing an indication of the presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle.

2. The shielding detection system according to claim 1, wherein the inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when a ratio of the mass to the inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

3. The shielding detection system according to claim 1, wherein the inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when the inertia data varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

4. The shielding detection system according to claim 1, wherein the inertia test apparatus provides an indication of concentrated weight within the cargo receptacle.

5. A shielding detection system for cargo receptacles comprising:

a moment of inertia test apparatus configured to detect mass and moment of inertia data of a cargo receptacle, the moment of inertia test apparatus providing an indication of the presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle.

6. The shielding detection system according to claim 5, wherein the inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when a ratio of the mass to the moment inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

7. The shielding detection system according to claim 5, wherein the moment of inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when the moment of inertia varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

8. A shielding detection system for cargo receptacles comprising:

a rotational inertia test apparatus configured to detect and rotational inertia data of a cargo receptacle, the rotational inertia test apparatus providing an indication of the presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle.

9. The shielding detection system according to claim 8, wherein the inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when a ratio of the mass to the rotational inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

10. The shielding detection system according to claim 8, wherein the rotational inertia test apparatus provides the indication of the presence of shielding when the rotational inertia varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

11. A method of detecting shielding within a cargo receptacle, the method comprising:

detecting mass and inertia data of the cargo receptacle using an inertia test apparatus; and

providing an indication of the potential presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle based on an analysis of the mass and inertia data.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining a ratio of the mass to the inertia data, the inertia test apparatus providing the indication of the presence of shielding when the ratio of the mass to the inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the indication of the potential presence of shielding is provided when the inertia data varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

providing an indication of a concentration of the weight of the cargo receptacle based on the analysis of the mass and inertia data.

15. A method of detecting shielding within a cargo receptacle, the method comprising:

detecting mass and moment of inertia data of e the cargo receptacle using a moment of inertia test apparatus; and

providing an indication of the potential presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle based on an analysis of the mass and moment of inertia data.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

determining a ratio of the mass to the moment of inertia data, the inertia test apparatus providing the indication of the presence of shielding when the ratio of the mass to the moment of inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the indication of the potential presence of shielding is provided when the moment of inertia data varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

18. A method of detecting shielding within a cargo receptacle, the method comprising:

detecting mass and rotational inertia data of the cargo receptacle using a rotational inertia test apparatus; and

providing an indication of the potential presence of shielding within the cargo receptacle based on an analysis of the mass and rotational inertia data.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

determining a ratio of the mass to the rotational inertia data, the inertia test apparatus providing the indication of the presence of shielding when the ratio of the mass to the rotational inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the indication of the potential presence of shielding is provided when the rotational inertia data varies from a standard by a predetermined deviation amount.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the rotational inertia testing is performed along more than one axes.

22. A fissile material shielding detection system for cargo receptacles comprising:

an inertia test apparatus configured to detect mass and inertia data of a cargo receptacle, the inertia test apparatus providing an indication of the presence of fissile material shielding within the cargo receptacle when a ratio of the mass to the inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.

23. A method of detecting fissile material shielding within a cargo receptacle, the method comprising:

detecting mass and inertia data of the cargo receptacle using an inertia test apparatus;

providing an indication of the potential presence of fissile material shielding within the cargo receptacle based on an analysis of the mass and inertia data; and

determining a ratio of the mass to the inertia data, the inertia test apparatus providing the indication of the presence of fissile material shielding when the ratio of the mass to the inertia data varies by a predetermined deviation amount.