Mobile aircraft inspection system

• US 8,483,356 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bendahan, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Midkiff, Anastasia
• Application Number:
  US12/916,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20110103548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 378/51, 378 54- 57, 378/62, 378/76, 378/189, 378/193, 378/197, 378/198
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/1006 different radiations, e.g. X and alpha
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/1013 gamma
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/1016 X-ray
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/106 neutrons
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/3303 object fixed; source and detector move
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/631 large structures, walls
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/05 using neutrons
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/083 the radiation being X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/203 Measuring back scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/222 measuring scattered radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/232 having relative motion between the source, detector and object other than by conveyor G01V5/226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/028 Industrial applications
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/02 Constructional details

Abstract

A system for scanning aircraft for concealed threats is provided. The system comprises a vehicle and a manipulator arm attached with a scanning head that can be maneuvered in multiple directions to completely scan an aircraft from the outside. The system uses transmission based X-ray detection, backscatter based X-ray detection or a combination thereof, in various embodiments. The system also includes gamma-ray and neutron detectors, for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials.

Claims

1. A system for externally scanning an aircraft, having a body and an underside, to detect concealed threats, the system comprising:

a mobile gantry defined by two vertical beams connected by a horizontal beam, wherein the horizontal beam comprises a top side of said gantry, and wherein said gantry is capable of being moved along the length of the aircraft being scanned;

an X-ray source connected to the top side of said gantry, said source capable of being moved horizontally along the top side; and

a movable detector unit comprising a first set of detectors, said detector unit being aligned with said X-ray source and being positioned along the underside of the aircraft, such that the first set of detectors receive X-rays transmitted through the aircraft from said X-ray source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the positions of said X-ray source and said first set of detectors are synchronized remotely.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the scanning motion comprises moving the mobile gantry along the length of the aircraft and moving the X-ray source along the width of the aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second set of detectors disposed on the top side of said gantry for receiving the X-rays scattered back from the aircraft.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said X-ray source is capable of being tilted in at least four directions.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the detected threats include organic materials, inorganic materials and nuclear materials.

7. A system for externally scanning an aircraft, having a body and an underside, to detect concealed threats, the system comprising:

a mobile gantry defined by two vertical beams connected by a horizontal beam, wherein the horizontal beam comprises a top side of said gantry, and wherein said gantry is adapted to move over at least one section of the aircraft being scanned;

a transverse beam, having a first end and a second end, coupled to the top side of said gantry, adapted to be moved horizontally along the said top side, wherein an X-ray source is connected to the first end of said transverse beam and a counterweight is connected to the second end of said transverse beam to balance said X-ray source; and

a movable detector unit comprising a first set of detectors, said detector unit being aligned to the X-ray source, such that the first set of detectors receive X-rays transmitted through the aircraft from said X-ray source.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a second set of detectors disposed along with the X-ray source for receiving the X-rays scattered back from the aircraft.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said X-ray source is capable of being tilted in four directions.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein positions of said X-ray source and said first set of detectors are synchronized remotely.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the detected threats include organic materials, inorganic materials and nuclear materials.