Portable 3D X-ray Imaging System for IED Component Depth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray imaging systems struggle to provide accurate three-dimensional information about the contents of opaque objects, particularly improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as existing systems require multiple images from various perspectives, increasing time-on-target for EOD personnel and making it difficult to determine the z-position of components.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray imaging system with a moveable x-ray source mounted on a pivot arm that steps through multiple positions to collect multiple perspectives, processing these images to extract depth information by shifting and resizing each projection to achieve back-projections and superimposing them at discrete z-positions, resulting in three-dimensional data about the object's contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple x-ray images are collected from various perspectives by physically moving the source and imaging screen, then three-dimensional information about IED components can be obtained, but time-on-target significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-acquires a comprehensive set of x-ray images from multiple perspectives in advance, storing them in a database. When an IED is presented, the system retrieves and processes the appropriate pre-acquired images, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time image acquisition and significantly reducing time-on-target while maintaining three-dimensional location information accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically moving the x-ray source and imaging screen to capture multiple perspectives, the system uses computer-generated images or pre-acquired images as copies of the actual physical imaging process. These digital copies are then processed to extract three-dimensional information, replacing the time-consuming physical repositioning operations with rapid digital processing
2Measurement precision
If multiple x-ray images are collected from various perspectives, then relative locations of components can be estimated, but determining the z-position of components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms two-dimensional x-ray images into three-dimensional spatial information by adding the z-dimension (depth) through computational processing. By back-projecting multiple 2D images at different angles and superimposing them, the system reconstructs the third dimension, enabling precise determination of component z-positions alongside their x-y locations
3Loss of time
If a single x-ray image is used, then time-on-target is minimized, but sufficient information for aiming the disruptor is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-acquires and stores multiple x-ray images from various perspectives in a database before the actual operation. When a single image is needed for rapid decision-making, the system can quickly retrieve and process the appropriate pre-acquired images, providing comprehensive component location information without requiring time-consuming real-time multi-perspective imaging
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
Enables EOD personnel to quickly and safely access IEDs by providing accurate three-dimensional location information of components, reducing time-on-target and enhancing diffusing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source (11) in front of the object is mounted on a pivot arm (12)... a set of projection images is collected
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray imaging system and method for providing three-dimensional data representing the contents of an object. An x-ray source and x-ray screen are used to acquire multiple x-ray images of the object from different perspectives. The different perspectives are obtained by placing the x-ray source at one end of a moveable arm. These images are processed by back-projecting each perspective image at known distances between the object and the x-ray source, and superimposing the back-projected images at each distance, thereby providing a set of image slices of the object along the z-axis.