Discrete X-ray Source Array for High-Throughput Baggage Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray inspection systems for personnel, particularly in high-throughput applications like airports, face limitations in throughput and size due to the use of single-point focus sources, leading to image distortion and potential misses of concealed contraband, and existing multi-source systems are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
An array of discrete X-ray sources, including carbon nanotube field emission sources, is activated in a prescribed temporal pattern to illuminate objects with varying spatial orientations, allowing for detection and image construction based on time variations of the detector signal, with the option to move the array for enhanced coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-point focus x-ray sources are used, then equipment size is reduced, but image distortion increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single x-ray source into multiple discrete sources arranged in an array. Each source can be independently activated to illuminate different portions of the object simultaneously, eliminating image distortion while maintaining compact equipment size and enabling high throughput scanning
2Measurement precision
If multiple conventional x-ray sources are used to mitigate image distortion, then image quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermionic x-ray sources with carbon nanotube field emission sources that can be electronically controlled. This substitution enables independent activation of individual sources in the array through electronic addressing, simplifying the system control mechanism while achieving superior image quality without mechanical moving parts
3Speed
If carbon nanotube field emission sources are used, then temporal resolution improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique electronic field emission properties of carbon nanotubes, which enable nanosecond temporal resolution through voltage-controlled electron emission. By changing the activation parameter from thermal (conventional) to electric field (CNT), the system achieves ultrafast temporal resolution while the array geometry and electronic addressing provide a scalable manufacturing approach
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 approach enhances throughput, reduces image distortion, and provides a compact, flexible solution for high-resolution imaging, enabling effective detection of concealed threats without the need for large equipment, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of security screening.
Implementation Method 1
X-ray sources may also be based on field-emission cathodes, offering advantages in both spatial and temporal resolution when compared with thermionic sources. Because field emission of electrons is produced by a high electric field
Implementation Method 2
Thermionic emission entails the emission of electrons by heated filaments. Thermal inertia limits the time resolution of thermionic systems to microseconds, while spatial resolution of the electron emitter is governed by the dimension of the filament.
Implementation Method 3
activating an array of discrete X-ray sources in a prescribed temporal pattern so as to illuminate the object with a beam varying in spatial orientation
Implementation Method 4
detecting X-rays of the beam after interaction with the object and generating a detector signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods are provided for imaging an object, based on activating an array of discrete X-ray sources in a prescribed temporal pattern so as to illuminate the object with a beam varying in spatial orientation, and detecting X-rays of the beam after interaction with the object and generating a detector signal. An image of the object may then be constructed on the basis of the time variation of the detector signal. The discrete X-ray sources may be moved during the course of inspection, moreover, the prescribed temporal pattern may constitute a Hadamard code. The discrete sources may be carbon nanotube x-ray sources.