Cargo scanning system

• US 7,783,004 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agrawal, Neeraj, Kotowski, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiknadze; Irakli
• Application Number:
  US12/263,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20090116614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 378/198, 378/57, 378/62, 378/102, 378/146, 378/148
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/639 material in a container
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/02 Constructional details

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source. A detector array having a first configuration and a second configuration is connected to a housing and at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is capable of being transported to a site by a vehicle and of being positioned separate from the housing. The radiation source is housed in a radiation source box and movable within the radiation source box using an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the radiation source and provides a translational energy that moves the radiation source between an operational position and a stowed position.

Claims

1. A portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising:

a. a housing connected to a vehicle;

b. a detector array having a first configuration and a second configuration wherein said array is connected to the housing; and

c. at least one source of radiation wherein said radiation source is capable of being transported to a site by said vehicle and of being positioned separate from the housing, wherein said radiation source is housed in a radiation source box and movable within the radiation source box using an actuator wherein the actuator is operably connected to the radiation source and wherein the actuator provides a translational energy that moves the radiation source between an operational position and a stowed position.

2. A portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising:

a. a foldable boom comprising a first vertical portion, which is physically attached to said vehicle, a first horizontal portion, and a second vertical portion;

b. a first detector array housing physically attached to the first horizontal portion of the foldable boom, wherein said first detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors;

c. a second detector array housing physically attached to the first vertical portion of the foldable boom wherein the second detector array housing contains a plurality of detectors and is foldable independent of said first vertical portion of the foldable boom; and

d. at least one source of radiation wherein said radiation source is housed in a radiation source box and movable within the radiation source box using an actuator, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the radiation source, wherein the actuator provides a translational energy that moves the radiation source between an operational position and a stowed position, and wherein the radiation source box is securely attached to a distal end of the second vertical portion of said boom.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the radiation source is movable in a horizontal or vertical direction.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the actuator is an electric solenoid.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the actuator is a pneumatic solenoid.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the radiation source is offset from a beam port aperture defined by the radiation source box when in a stowed position.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the radiation source is offset from a beam port aperture by three inches.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the radiation source is encapsulated in a shield when offset from a beam port aperture.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the shield comprises tungsten.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein the radiation source is aligned with a beam port aperture defined by the radiation source box when in an operational position.

11. The system of claim 2 wherein the radiation source box further comprises a return mechanism for ensuring that the radiation source is in a safe position when there is no power being delivered to the system.

12. The system of claim 2 wherein the radiation source box further comprises at least one safety feature for indicating a status of the radiation source.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the safety feature is electrical and further comprises a light.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the safety feature is audible and further comprises a beeping alarm.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the safety feature is mechanical and further comprises a flag.

16. The system of claim 2 further comprising a hydraulic system to move the boom.

17. The system of claim 2 wherein said first and second detector arrays comprise detectors and wherein said detectors are angled at substantially 90 degrees relative to a focal point of said radiation source.

18. The system of claim 2 wherein said radiation source comprises at least a first energy and a second energy.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the first energy is a low energy and wherein the second energy is a high energy.