Polygonal Shell Beam X-ray Inspection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security scanning systems, such as those used in airports or mail screening, face limitations in detecting dangerous materials like explosives and narcotics due to the need for high-energy X-ray generators, which result in large, costly, and disruptive manual searches, and increased risk to security staff.
Innovation Solution
A sample inspection system utilizing a polygonal shell beam formed of electromagnetic radiation with a beam former and collimator to collect diffracted or scattered radiation, allowing for the detection of lattice spacings and material identification with a polychromatic source, reducing the need for high-energy X-ray generators and enhancing detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conical shell X-ray beams with diffracted flux grids are used to measure X-ray scatter, then material parameters can be calculated, but the system requires relatively high energies (minimum 80 keV) which increases generator complexity, size, weight, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray beam is segmented into multiple discrete polygonal segments rather than using a continuous conical shell beam. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive material detection across multiple angles and energies without requiring a single high-energy generator, thereby reducing generator complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the beam geometry parameter from a continuous conical shell to a discrete polygonal shell configuration. This parameter change enables the use of lower energy X-rays by distributing the detection task across multiple discrete beam directions, eliminating the need for high-energy generators while preserving material identification capabilities
2Reliability
If high-energy X-ray generators are used to penetrate thick or shielded threat materials, then penetration capability is improved, but the machine requires additional radiological shielding which makes it larger, heavier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The detection task is segmented across multiple lower-energy X-ray beams at different angles rather than using a single high-energy beam. This allows the system to achieve sufficient penetration through multiple measurements at lower energies, avoiding the need for heavy shielding associated with high-energy generators while maintaining reliable detection of thick or shielded materials
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single high-energy beam direction to multiple lower-energy beam directions in different spatial dimensions. By collecting diffracted flux from multiple angles, the system achieves comprehensive material detection without requiring the high energy levels that would necessitate heavy radiological shielding
3Measurement precision
If conical shell beams with constant diffracted flux collection angle are used, then a limited range of d-spacing can be identified, but the operational spectral range must be extended from 51 keV to 355 keV requiring advanced generators
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous spectral range requirement is segmented into multiple discrete energy ranges, each handled by a separate lower-energy X-ray generator. The polygonal shell beam configuration with multiple discrete segments allows the system to achieve comprehensive d-spacing coverage by combining results from multiple generators operating at lower, more manageable energy levels
Solution Approach 2:
The polygonal shell beam system provides multi-functionality by using multiple lower-energy generators that can collectively cover the full spectral range needed for d-spacing identification. Each generator handles a specific energy range, and the combined data from all generators achieves the same comprehensive material identification capability as a single high-energy generator would provide
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 improves the detection of materials by expanding the range of identifiable d-spacings and reducing false alarms, enabling more efficient and safer security screening without the need for high-energy X-ray generators, thus reducing costs and risks.
Implementation Method 1
a beam former adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation from the source to provide a polygonal shell beam formed of at least three walls of electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation at an angle
Implementation Method 3
each channel being adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation at an angle
Implementation Method 4
an energy resolving detector arranged to detect radiation diffracted or scattered by a sample upon incidence of the polygonal shell beam onto the sample and transmitted by the collimator
Data Source
AI summary
A sample inspection system contains a source of electromagnetic radiation and an apparatus that includes a beam former, a collimator and an energy resolving detector. The beam former is adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation from the source to provide a polygonal shell beam formed of at least three walls of electromagnetic radiation. The collimator has a plurality of channels adapted to receive diffracted or scattered radiation at an angle. The energy resolving detector is arranged to detect radiation diffracted or scattered by a sample upon incidence of the polygonal shell beam onto the sample and transmitted by the collimator.