Gantry scanner systems

• US 8,579,506 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2009
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morton, Edward James
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Jurie
• Application Number:
  US12/993,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20110142203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: 378/57, 378/193, 378/194, 378/197, 378/198
• US Class Current: 378/194
• 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: 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 5/271 using a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/10 Power supply arrangements for feeding the X-ray tube supply circuits with converters in general H02M; supply circuits for emitters and amplifiers H04B1/16 - H04B1/1623

Abstract

A gantry scanner system includes a radiation source, a plurality of detectors and a support frame supporting the detectors. The support frame includes an elongate support member arranged to support the detectors, cable support means arranged to support power cables or signal cables connected to the detectors, and cover means arranged to cover the support member, the cable support means and the detectors.

Claims

1. A gantry scanner system comprising a radiation source, a plurality of detectors and a support frame supporting the detectors, wherein the support frame includes an elongate support member arranged to support the detectors, cable support means arranged to support power cables or signal cables connected to the detectors, cover means arranged to cover the support member, the cable support means and the detectors, a rechargeable power storage means mounted on the support frame, and guide means defining a path along which the support frame can move, wherein the power storage means is arranged to be connectable to a stationary power supply so that it can be recharged and wherein the power storage means is arranged to be connectable to the stationary power supply only when it is in one or more recharging positions on the path.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the support member is of a constant cross section along its length.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the support member comprises a central web and two side sections.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the detectors are mounted within a cavity formed by the central web and the side sections.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein radiation absorbing means are mounted on the opposite side of the central web to the detectors.

6. A system according to claim 3 wherein the support member is of an H-shaped cross-section.

7. A system according to claim 3 wherein the cable support means is located on an outer side of at least one of the side sections.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the cable support means comprises a cable support tube mounted on the support member by means of a plurality of tube support brackets.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises a plurality of removable cover sections which can each be removed to allow access to the detectors.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of said support members connected together.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the support frame comprises two of said support members connected together at right angles to each other to form a vertical side and a horizontal top of the frame, and a further vertical section connecting one of the support members to a radiation source module.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the radiation source module and one of the support members are movably supported by support means and guide means are provided to guide the gantry to move along a predetermined path.

13. A gantry scanning system comprising a gantry, a radiation source, radiation detectors, a control system, a rechargeable power storage means mounted on the gantry, and guide means defining a path along which the gantry can move, wherein the power storage means is arranged to be connectable to a stationary power supply so that it can be recharged and wherein the power storage means is arranged to be connectable to the stationary power supply only when it is in one or more recharging positions on the path.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the stationary power supply is provided at each end of the path so that the power storage means can be recharged in each of two recharging positions.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein the control system is arranged to transmit scan data, obtained by the scanning system, wirelessly to a remote station for analysis.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the remote station includes display means arranged to display an image generated from the scan data.

17. A system according to claim 15 wherein the control system is arranged to receive control instructions wirelessly from the remote station.