Linear Track Scanning Imaging System with Multiple Ray Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation imaging technologies for safety inspection, such as tomography and perspective imaging, face challenges in achieving high imaging speed and large scanning viewing angles without incurring high costs or mechanical complexity, particularly when inspecting large objects or dealing with object overlap.
Innovation Solution
A linear track scanning imaging system employing multiple ray sources arranged in a line or plane parallel to the object's movement, emitting conical beams alternately to achieve a continuous scanning viewing angle without gaps, allowing for faster imaging and reduced detector length, thus overcoming the limitations of circular or helical scanning systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a CT device is used for tomography imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but imaging speed deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple independent ray sources arranged linearly, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows parallel data acquisition from multiple angles simultaneously, maintaining tomography quality while dramatically increasing imaging speed compared to traditional single-source CT rotation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rotation system of CT devices with a linear array of stationary ray sources. This eliminates the need for rotating large objects or complex mechanical assemblies, achieving fast imaging through linear scanning without mechanical rotation, thus improving both speed and reducing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If a CT device is used for tomography imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical rotation mechanisms with a simplified linear array of ray sources that remain stationary. This substitution eliminates the need for precision rotation stages, large mechanical structures, and complex control systems, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining imaging quality
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent ray sources that can be implemented using simpler, more cost-effective components. Each ray source operates independently, allowing for modular design and reduced complexity compared to a single complex rotating CT system
3Productivity
If perspective imaging is used, then imaging speed is improved, but object overlap problem worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple linear scanning passes with the object, collecting projection data from different angular positions. This segmented approach reconstructs tomographic images that eliminate ray-direction overlap while maintaining the fast linear scanning speed, combining the advantages of both perspective imaging speed and tomography clarity
4Measurement precision
If a sufficiently large scanning viewing angle is achieved with a single ray source, then imaging quality is improved, but detector length and scanning distance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the viewing angle coverage across multiple ray sources positioned linearly. Each ray source covers a specific angular range with a compact detector, and the collective array achieves the total required scanning viewing angle. This segmentation reduces the detector length and scanning distance required compared to using a single ray source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from achieving a large viewing angle in one dimension (requiring long detectors) to distributing the viewing angle coverage across multiple dimensions by arranging ray sources in a linear array. This dimensional redistribution reduces the required detector length and scanning distance while maintaining overall imaging quality
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 enables faster imaging speeds, reduces the need for complex mechanical rotations, and provides high-quality tomography and perspective images with a lower implementation cost, effectively addressing the challenges of inspecting large objects and minimizing object overlap.
Implementation Method 1
According to the principle of rays' exponential decaying, the radiation imaging technology adopts a ray source to irradiate an object under examination
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear track scanning imaging system and method, the imaging system comprising: a ray generating unit comprising a plurality of ray sources, where the plurality of ray sources emit beams alternately and only one ray source emits a beam at a same time; an actuating means for causing an object under examination to perform a relative movement with respect to the linear track scanning system along a linear track, thereby leading the object under examination to pass through the scanning area of the linear track scanning imaging system; a data collecting unit which collects the projection data of the object under examination for each ray source respectively; an imaging unit which reconstructs an image of the object under examination based on the projection data collected for each ray source; and a display unit for displaying the reconstructed image. By adopting a plurality of ray sources arranged according to a certain spatial distribution and emitting beams alternately according to a certain time sequence, it is possible to achieve a larger scanning viewing angle with a shorter detector length, thereby reducing the number of the detector units required by the system and shortening the total scanning distance of the examined object.