Backscatter X-ray inspection van with top-down imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising:
- a. a conveyance capable of on-road travel;
b. a deployable member coupled to the conveyance and adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis from a stowed position to an operational position;
c. a first source of penetrating radiation disposed on the deployable member for providing a first beam of penetrating radiation directed in a substantially vertical direction;
d. a second source of penetrating radiation disposed upon the conveyance for providing a second beam of penetrating radiation directed in a varying direction, the varying direction passing through a horizontal direction;
e. a first detector for detecting penetrating radiation from at least the first source after interaction of the object with the first beam of penetrating radiation and for generation of a downward-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the first beam; and
f. a controller for creating an image of contents of the object based at least on the downward-looking scatter signal.
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Abstract
A system and method for inspecting a vehicle or other object by means of two sources and one or more detectors of penetrating radiation. The sources and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source irradiates an inspected object from within an enclosure, while a second source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the second source can irradiate the vehicle from above. A backscatter image of the inspected object is based at least in part on radiation from the second source scattered by the inspected object.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising:
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a. a conveyance capable of on-road travel; b. a deployable member coupled to the conveyance and adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis from a stowed position to an operational position; c. a first source of penetrating radiation disposed on the deployable member for providing a first beam of penetrating radiation directed in a substantially vertical direction; d. a second source of penetrating radiation disposed upon the conveyance for providing a second beam of penetrating radiation directed in a varying direction, the varying direction passing through a horizontal direction; e. a first detector for detecting penetrating radiation from at least the first source after interaction of the object with the first beam of penetrating radiation and for generation of a downward-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the first beam; and f. a controller for creating an image of contents of the object based at least on the downward-looking scatter signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for inspecting an object, the method comprising:
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a. providing a conveyance capable of on-road travel; b. illuminating an inspected object with a first beam of penetrating radiation emanating from a first source coupled to the conveyance by a deployable member adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis from a stowed position to an operational position, the first beam of penetrating radiation directed in a substantially vertical direction; c. illuminating the inspected object with a second beam of penetrating radiation emanating from a second source disposed within the conveyance, the second beam directed in a varying direction, the varying direction passing through a horizontal direction; d. detecting with a first detector penetrating radiation from at least the first source after interaction of the object with the first beam of penetrating radiation; e. generating a downward-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the first beam; and f. creating with a controller an image of contents of the object based at least on the downward-looking scatter signal.
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Specification