X-ray imaging system having improved weather resistance

• US 7,783,005 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kaval, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): KAO, CHIH CHENG G
• Application Number:
  US12/275,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20090141863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 378/57, 378/203
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• 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

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation inspection system, such as an X-ray system, that can operate efficiently even in inclement weather conditions while being highly mobile. Thus the improved inspection system of the present invention is capable of operating in high temperature and corrosive environments and is designed to withstand moisture, dirt and/or dust from the articles of inspection as well.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging system for scanning an object comprising:

an X-ray source encased in a first enclosure, wherein said first enclosure has a first side, a second side, and an underside with an external surface;

a conveyor belt assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein said conveyor belt assembly is arranged to loop around the external surface of the underside of said first enclosure and wherein the first end extends beyond the first side of the first enclosure and the second end extends beyond the second side of the first enclosure;

an electronics system for controlling the X-ray source and conveyor belt, wherein said electronics system is encased in at least one second enclosure;

a base frame physically integrated with at least one of said first or second enclosures;

a protective casing that is configured to fully cover the first end of said conveyor belt assembly and physically attach to said base frame, and

a display device for presenting an image of said object to an operator.

2. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cleaning elements for removing contaminants from said conveyor belt.

3. The X-ray imaging system of claim 2 wherein said cleaning elements comprise at least one of a brush, blower, cleaning pad, or ionizer.

4. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of heating elements for heating at least one of said X-ray source and electronics system.

5. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sensing a temperature and a controller wherein said controller controls the activation of said X-ray source or said electronics system.

6. The X-ray imaging system of claim 5 wherein said controller activates said X-ray source or said electronics system when said temperature sensed by said sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature.

7. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said base frame comprises a connector for transporting the system.

8. The X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said connector comprises at least one of a tube, beam, hook, indentation, or metal projection.

9. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said protective casing comprises a first portion that is configured to fully cover the first end of said conveyor belt assembly and physically attach to said base frame and a section portion that is configured to fully cover the second end of said conveyor belt assembly and physically attach to said base frame.