X-ray security inspection machine
First Claim
1. An X-ray security inspection machine, comprising:
- a machine housing defining an X-ray tunnel for receiving an article to be inspected;
a conveyor for conveying the article through the tunnel;
an X-ray source for irradiating the article within the tunnel, wherein said X-ray source and conveyor define an imaging region having a volume;
a photodetector array module for detecting X-rays transmitted through the article, wherein said photodetector array module has a first stowed configuration in which the photodetector array module decreases the volume of the imaging region and a second deployed configuration in which the photodetector array module projects from the machine housing and leaves the imaging region substantially unobstructed and wherein in said first stowed configuration the machine is not operational and in said second deployed configuration the machine is operational; and
an actuator moving the photodetector array module between the stowed and deployed configurations.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
X-ray security inspection machine (10) comprising an X-ray tunnel (40); a conveyor means (50) for conveying an article through the tunnel; an X-ray source for irradiating the article; and an X-ray detection means for detecting X-rays transmitted through the article. In one aspect, the detection means comprises a photodetector array module (20) actuatable between a first stowed configuration and a second deployed configuration. In a second aspect, the detection means comprises a first unit having a first photodetector array (22); and a second unit, having a second photodetector array (24), offset with respect to the first unit. The units are moveable relative to one another between a first arrangement where the arrays overlap to a first degree and a second arrangement where they overlap to a second, lower degree; preferably zero. Also, a conveyor belt-tracking device (100) comprising a guide frame (104) to receive the conveyor belt (116) and substantially to restrict its motion to a predetermined direction.
154 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An X-ray security inspection machine, comprising:
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a machine housing defining an X-ray tunnel for receiving an article to be inspected; a conveyor for conveying the article through the tunnel; an X-ray source for irradiating the article within the tunnel, wherein said X-ray source and conveyor define an imaging region having a volume; a photodetector array module for detecting X-rays transmitted through the article, wherein said photodetector array module has a first stowed configuration in which the photodetector array module decreases the volume of the imaging region and a second deployed configuration in which the photodetector array module projects from the machine housing and leaves the imaging region substantially unobstructed and wherein in said first stowed configuration the machine is not operational and in said second deployed configuration the machine is operational; and an actuator moving the photodetector array module between the stowed and deployed configurations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An X-ray security inspection machine, comprising:
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a machine housing defining an X-ray tunnel for receiving an article to be inspected; a conveyor for conveying the article through the tunnel; an X-ray source for irradiating the article within the tunnel, wherein the X-ray source and conveyor define an imaging region; a first photodetector array; and a second photodetector array, wherein the first photodetector array and the second photodetector array are moveable relative each other, wherein said first photodetector array and the second photodetector array move to form a first arrangement in which the first photodetector array and the second photodetector array overlap to a first degree and the imaging region has a first volume, wherein said first photodetector array and the second photodetector array move to form a second arrangement in which the first photodetector array and the second photodetector array overlap to a second degree and the imaging region has a second volume, and wherein said first degree is greater than said second degree and wherein the first volume is less than the second volume. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification