Personnel Security Inspection System Using Millimeter Wave and Ion Mobility Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security inspection systems for persons are limited in detecting non-metallic prohibited articles, trace volatile substances, and radioactive materials, often requiring contact, unbuttoning of clothing, and exposure to ionizing radiation, with millimeter wave technology having limited resolution and inability to detect concealed substances behind metals.

Innovation Solution

A security inspection system combining millimeter wave imaging, ion mobility spectrometry, and radioactive substance detection technologies within a corridor-like passageway, using non-contact methods and non-ionizing radiation, to identify substances greater than 1mm, trace volatile substances, and radioactive materials without requiring individuals to unbutton their clothing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ion scanning technology is used for security inspection, then detection capability for prohibited articles is improved, but radiation damage to persons being inspected occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidradiation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces millimeter wave technology as an intermediary detection method that provides sufficient detection capability for prohibited articles without causing ionizing radiation damage to persons, thus mediating between detection effectiveness and safety concerns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from ionizing radiation (ion scanning) to non-ionizing millimeter waves, maintaining detection effectiveness while eliminating radiation damage effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If millimeter wave technology is used for security inspection, then radiation safety is improved, but detection resolution is limited and substances behind metals cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation safetyVSAvoiddetection resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges millimeter wave technology with ion mobility technology and other detection methods to create a multi-functional inspection system that overcomes the limitations of individual technologies, achieving both safety and enhanced detection capability including ability to detect substances behind metals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple independent devices are used to inspect for radioactive substances, then detection capability is improved, but inspection time increases and security risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates radioactive substance detection capability into the same passageway system with other inspection technologies, allowing simultaneous multi-type inspections to be conducted in one pass, thereby reducing inspection time and maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system is designed with multi-functionality to detect prohibited articles, trace substances, and radioactive materials within a single integrated passageway, eliminating the need for separate inspection processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system provides accurate detection of a wide range of prohibited articles and radioactive substances, ensuring high passing rates and comprehensive security inspections without ionizing radiation exposure, allowing for continuous and automatic screening of individuals.

Implementation Method 1

the millimeter wave can permeate ordinary clothes and millimeter wave emission rate and reflection coefficient of various substances vary

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMillimeter wave penetration: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

millimeter wave emission rate and reflection coefficient of various substances vary

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the sampling gas, subject to ionization, forms substance ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 4

An electric filed is applied to the substance ions resulting from the ionization to make them move. Since mobility rate of the substance ions is related to ion mass, number of electric charges, size of ions and mobility environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon mobility: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 5

an isolation means provided at both ends of the passageway to keep the entrance and exit of the passageway isolated from an ambient environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2138870B1Security inspection system for persons
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP2138870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2138870B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A security inspection system of persons comprises: a passageway (110) which provides an inspection space isolated from an ambient environment, one sub-passageway allowing persons (102) to be inspected to pass is provided in the inspection space, and each of the sub-passageways is provided with at least one millimeter wave imaging device (120) for millimeter wave imaging of persons (102) being inspected; and an ion mobility spectrometer (130) for ionizing particles of substance or gases that are given off or volatilized from the inspected persons (102) into the air in the passageway (110) and then measuring a mobility rate thereof under the action of the electric field to effect identification of substances. At least one radioactive substance inspection means (190) is provided in the passageway to detect whether the person being inspected carries radioactive substances.