Conveyor System With Guide Walls For Radiological Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems for radiological examination of contained materials, such as liquids in bottles, face challenges in maintaining consistent orientation and stability, leading to reduced throughput and inaccurate analysis due to tilt and variable positioning during scanning.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with transverse modules having elongate recessed portions of constant transverse profile, which aligns objects like bottles consistently with their longitudinal axes, ensuring stable and horizontal orientation as they move through the scanner, compatible with existing continuous conveyor systems and scanning protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional conveyor systems are used for radiological examination, then objects can be transported through the scanner, but the objects experience tilt and variable positioning that reduces measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism consisting of guide walls and positioning features that mediate between the conveyor system and the objects being scanned. These guide walls create a controlled pathway that passively aligns objects in a consistent orientation without requiring active control systems, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling continuous throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are designed to pre-align objects with the scanning plane before the radiological examination begins. By providing guide walls and positioning structures that automatically orient objects as they enter the scanning zone, the system ensures consistent positioning is established in advance, eliminating the need for real-time adjustment during scanning
2Productivity
If objects are allowed to move freely on the conveyor, then throughput is maintained, but orientation consistency deteriorates leading to inaccurate classification
Solution Approach 1:
Guide walls act as intermediary structures that physically constrain objects within a defined pathway on the conveyor. These walls serve as a passive alignment mechanism that maintains orientation consistency throughout the scanning process without interfering with the continuous movement of objects, thereby preserving both throughput and orientation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are strategically positioned only in critical zones where orientation control is needed, such as at the entry to the scanning zone and at specific intervals along the conveyor. This localized approach to constraint allows objects to move freely in non-critical areas while maintaining proper orientation where it matters for accurate scanning
3Measurement precision
If alignment features are added to the conveyor system, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is segmented into discrete, modular components including guide walls, positioning features, and alignment zones that can be independently designed and positioned. This segmentation allows the complexity to be distributed and managed in discrete units rather than as a monolithic system, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are designed to be passive and self-actuating, using the geometry of the guide walls and positioning structures to automatically align objects without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active adjustment mechanisms. The system uses the objects' own geometry and the guide walls' configuration to achieve alignment, eliminating the need for complex control electronics or motorized adjustment mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances throughput and accuracy by maintaining objects in a fixed, horizontal orientation, improving the classification of threat and benign items and allowing for consistent data comparison with reference datasets, while being compatible with existing scanning protocols and minimizing x-ray attenuation effects.
Implementation Method 1
The invention particularly relates to an apparatus and method making use of high energy radiation such as x-rays or gamma-rays to scan objects where it is desirable to gain information about the internal contents and/or composition of the contained material
Implementation Method 2
The principle of scanning objects with high energy radiation such as x-rays or gamma-rays, particularly to generate image information in the form of a transmission radiograph
Implementation Method 3
obtain an indication that the contents of the object do not constitute a threat to security or a breach of customs regulations
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system is described for use with a scanning apparatus (49) for the scanning of objects (43), such as bottles. The system comprises a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface (45); a plurality of object support modules (41), each object support module (41) comprising a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface (45) of the conveyor and an upper part in which an object receiving recessed portion is defined, wherein the object receiving recessed portion defines an elongate recess having a constant transverse profile. A scanning system comprising the conveyor system in combination with an object scanner and a method of scanning embodying the principles of such a scanner are also described.