Portable X-ray Scanner with Dual Pulsed Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray security inspection machines are bulky, heavy, and not portable, making them unsuitable for space-restricted environments and temporary or outdoor venues, where they are needed to efficiently scan small items like backpacks and purses.
Innovation Solution
A portable X-ray imaging system with a housing defining a tunnel for article inspection, featuring a conveyor and an X-ray production system with two opposing pulsed X-ray sources and a target to generate cone beams, combined with a two-dimensional flat panel detector system for dual-energy imaging, allowing for efficient scanning and reduced shielding requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a highly collimated continuous wave X-ray source is used to cover objects with a thin fan beam, then dual-energy detection capability is achieved, but most X-rays are absorbed in the collimator and the source must remain continuously on, leading to large shielding requirements and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed X-ray sources that emit X-rays in alternating sequences from opposite sides, rather than continuous emission. This periodic action reduces power consumption by turning the source off between pulses while maintaining the dual-energy detection capability through timed detection sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for large collimators by using wide-beam X-ray sources. The collimator, which absorbs most X-rays in conventional systems, is removed entirely, allowing much higher utilization of generated X-rays and significantly reducing power consumption and system weight.
2Measurement precision
If a highly collimated continuous wave X-ray source with thin fan beam is used, then dual-energy detection is achieved, but large shielding in all directions except forward fan beam is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for large collimators and extensive shielding by using wide-beam X-ray sources that naturally illuminate the entire detector array. This extraction of the collimator component eliminates the primary source of weight while maintaining dual-energy detection through alternative geometric arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-direction fan beam geometry to a dual-sided wide-beam geometry where X-rays travel through objects from both left-to-right and right-to-left directions. This dimensional change in beam geometry eliminates the need for large collimators and reduces shielding requirements.
3Productivity
If conventional X-ray systems are used, then scanning capability is achieved, but the systems are heavy and bulky, making them difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the heavy collimator components that dominate the weight of conventional X-ray systems. By using wide-beam sources that illuminate entire detector arrays simultaneously, the system achieves full scanning capability without the need for heavy collimation hardware, dramatically reducing transport weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam geometry parameter from a narrow collimated fan beam to a wide uncollimated beam. This parameter change fundamentally alters the system architecture, eliminating heavy collimators and enabling portable deployment while maintaining comprehensive scanning capability through dual-sided illumination.
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 is compact, lightweight, and capable of efficient scanning of small items, reducing power consumption and shielding needs, enabling effective security inspections in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first X-ray source pulsed at a first time to generate a first electron beam along a first longitudinal axis... the first electron beam strikes the first side at a first impact point to generate a first X-ray cone beam
Implementation Method 2
a first X-ray source pulsed at a first time... a second X-ray source pulsed at a second time... wherein the second time is different than the first time
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification discloses systems for a compact and portable X-ray transmission imaging system that is used for security inspection of small items. The system includes a housing with an X-ray tunnel for receiving an article to be inspected, a conveyor for conveying the article through the tunnel, a dual source X-ray system, with a central target, for generating two overlapping cone beams, and a two-dimensional X-ray detector system for detecting the generated dual energy X-rays.