Skewed X-ray Sources and Detectors for Tomographic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray inspection systems struggle to reliably detect thin objects, as projection imaging methods fail to recognize objects with thin dimensions parallel to the radiation path, leading to incomplete detection of contraband items.
Innovation Solution
The system employs skewed radiation sources and detectors with a substantial gap between them, allowing for acute angled ray paths to form a three-dimensional tomographic image of the item under inspection, enabling detection of thin objects by accumulating transmission data from various orientations and processing it to reconstruct a volumetric image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional projection imaging methods are used, then the system is simple and fast, but thin objects with dimensions parallel to the radiation path cannot be reliably detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional projection imaging to three-dimensional tomographic imaging by introducing a new spatial dimension. Multiple radiation sources are positioned at different angles around the item, and detectors capture radiation paths from these multiple orientations. This dimensional change enables the system to detect thin objects that would be invisible in conventional projection images, as the tomographic reconstruction creates volumetric data that can resolve objects regardless of their orientation relative to the radiation path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection system into multiple independent radiation source-detector pairs positioned at different angles. Each pair captures a specific set of radiation paths through the item, and the complete dataset is assembled from these segmented measurements. This segmentation allows the system to accumulate transmission data from various orientations, enabling accurate three-dimensional reconstruction that overcomes the limitations of single-angle projection imaging.
2Measurement precision
If multiple radiation sources and detectors are used to form three-dimensional images, then detection of thin objects improves, but the number of components and data processing requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple radiation sources and detectors that serve multiple functions: each source-detector pair captures transmission data for tomographic reconstruction, and collectively they provide angular information for three-dimensional imaging. The same detector array used for conventional projection imaging is also utilized for tomographic data acquisition, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for entirely separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the angular dimension to the detection geometry, the patent enables a single detector array to capture information from multiple orientations when combined with multiple sources. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional images without requiring a completely separate detection system for each viewing angle.
3Reliability
If transmission data is accumulated from multiple orientations, then three-dimensional tomographic images can be formed, but the inspection time and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data accumulation by having multiple radiation sources and detectors simultaneously capture transmission data as the item moves through the inspection region. Rather than sequentially imaging the item from different angles, the system continuously collects tomographic data from all source-detector pairs in parallel, maintaining continuous inspection action while building the complete three-dimensional dataset.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary angular positioning and data acquisition setup before the actual inspection, with radiation sources pre-positioned at optimal angles and detectors calibrated to capture the full range of radiation paths. This preliminary configuration enables efficient continuous data collection during the inspection process, reducing the overall time required for three-dimensional image formation.
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 enhances the detection of thin contraband objects by forming accurate three-dimensional images, improving the reliability of identifying suspicious regions within items, even when thin dimensions are parallel to the radiation path.
Implementation Method 1
The contents of an item may be characterized by placing an array of x-ray 'detectors' on the opposite side of the item from the x-ray source and collimator, and causing the beam of x-rays to pass through the item before impinging upon the detectors
Implementation Method 2
A collimator effectively absorbs all x-rays except those traveling in the desired beam direction
Implementation Method 3
Each detector in an array generates an electronic signal having a magnitude that corresponds to the intensity of the x-rays that impacted it during a 'sample interval'
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may comprise a frame supporting at least first and second skewed radiation sources and at least first and second radiation detectors. The first and second radiation detectors may be substantially non-contiguous such that a substantial gap exists between the first and second radiation detectors that is free of any radiation detectors. Each of the first and second radiation detectors may also configured and arranged to detect radiation emitted by each of the first and second skewed radiation sources.