Radiation Scanning System for Contained Liquid Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting contained liquids in containers, such as those used in security screening, face challenges with throughput, complexity, and false alarms due to the need for sequential processing and precise measurements, especially when dealing with irregular shapes and multiple objects, which limits their efficiency and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that perform a single-step numerical processing of spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved radiation intensity data using a system response vector and operator to determine the threat status of contained flowable materials, eliminating the need for image generation and sequential processing, and allowing for faster throughput and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential processing and image generation are used to analyze radiation data, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sequential processing system with a mathematical direct calculation system. Instead of generating images and processing them step-by-step, the system directly calculates material properties from radiation transmission data using analytical solutions to the Radon transform, eliminating the sequential processing bottleneck while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the relationship between radiation transmission and material properties in lookup tables or analytical formulas. This allows the system to directly retrieve or compute results without going through the full sequential processing chain, thereby improving productivity while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If sequential processing steps are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the time-consuming sequential mechanical processing with direct mathematical calculations. By using analytical solutions and pre-computed relationships, the system obtains measurement results in a single computational step rather than through multiple sequential operations, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate image generation and sequential processing steps by directly computing the final material characterization results from the raw radiation data. This rushing through the processing pipeline eliminates unnecessary time-consuming intermediate steps while preserving the essential measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex scanning systems are used to handle irregular shapes and multiple objects, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal scanning system that can handle various object shapes, sizes, and compositions using the same hardware configuration. The system uses multiple radiation sources and detectors arranged to provide comprehensive coverage, allowing a single device to adapt to diverse inspection scenarios without requiring complex reconfiguration or additional specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses irregular shapes and multiple objects by adding spatial dimensionality to the scanning approach. Multiple radiation sources positioned at different angles and heights create overlapping measurement volumes that collectively encompass complex geometries, allowing the system to adapt to varied object forms through geometric arrangement rather than mechanical complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radiation sources and detectors are deployed, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple radiation sources and detectors that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same array of sources and detectors can inspect different object types, orientations, and compositions by adjusting scanning parameters rather than requiring specialized equipment for each scenario, improving adaptability while keeping the physical device configuration manageable.
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 significantly enhances scanning efficiency by processing all data simultaneously, reducing noise and calibration errors, and maintaining a low false alarm rate, while being adaptable to existing systems with minimal additional cost or hardware requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a high energy ionising radiation beam traverses a cross section of the object... The transmission of x-rays through a material can be given by the exponential attenuation law
Implementation Method 2
the exponential attenuation law... where μ/ρ = Mass attenuation coefficient... I = final intensity; I o = Initial intensity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described. The method includes the steps of: - performing a radiation scan, using X-rays or Gamma rays, of a target item container of contained flowable material in a radiation scanning system to derive a spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved measured dataset of the intensity of radiation emergent from the target item; - considering the spatially distributed and spectroscopically resolved dataset of transmitted radiation intensity to be nominally determined in accordance with a relationship: [Ο] • [δ] = [λ] where the operators [δ] and [λ] definie, respectively, physical parameters describing the liquid and the container and the system response and the operator [Ο] defines the relationships between the system response and the liquid and container parameters; - numerically processing the measured dataset by operator inversion in order to derive a best fit solution of: [δ] = [Ο]- 1 • [λ]; and - using that derived solution to determine the threat status of the target item.