Stationary X-ray Diffraction Device Using Quadrilateral Collimator Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan-beam x-ray diffraction imaging devices require mechanical movement of components, leading to increased cost, longer scan times, and higher false alarm rates due to cross-talk x-rays, which complicates the scanning of items with varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A stationary x-ray diffraction imaging device with a multi-plane secondary collimator that uses quadrilateral passages to enhance the detection of legitimate x-rays while reducing cross-talk x-rays, allowing for parallel imaging and analysis without mechanical movement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical movement components are used to scan items, then the entire item volume can be interrogated, but the device size, weight, cost, and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the x-ray source and detector to scan items, the patent inverts the approach by making the collimator movable while keeping the source and detector stationary. The collimator moves between the source and detector to selectively illuminate different regions of the item, achieving scanning capability without requiring movement of the heavy and complex source-detector assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the scanning function by dividing the item into multiple regions that can be interrogated sequentially through collimator movement. Each collimator position corresponds to a specific region, allowing the system to scan the entire item volume by moving the collimator to different positions rather than moving the entire imaging system
2Measurement precision
If sequential scanning is used to illuminate the entire item, then complete 3-D imaging is achieved, but the scan time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous scanning by moving the collimator continuously through different positions to illuminate successive regions of the item. This continuous movement of the collimator, rather than step-by-step positioning, maintains a continuous data acquisition process that reduces total scan time while still achieving complete 3-D imaging coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the collimator to illuminate specific regions of interest or high-priority areas first, allowing critical information to be acquired before completing the full scan sequence. This prioritization reduces the effective scan time for detecting contraband while maintaining complete imaging capability
3Device complexity
If symmetrical collimator apertures are used, then the device structure is simple, but cross-talk x-rays increase and detection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using collimator apertures with non-symmetrical geometries that are specifically shaped to block cross-talk x-ray paths while maintaining transmission of legitimate scattered x-rays. The asymmetrical aperture design creates different transmission characteristics for x-rays coming from different directions, effectively suppressing cross-talk signals that would otherwise reach the detector and cause false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator apertures are designed with local quality variations where different regions of the aperture have different transmission properties. Specific portions of the aperture are optimized to transmit scattered x-rays from the item while blocking cross-talk paths, creating localized transmission zones that improve detection accuracy without requiring complete redesign of the entire collimator structure
4Productivity
If the collimator and detector move about the item, then the entire item volume is interrogated, but the spatial resolution varies
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the detector about the item which causes varying distances and resolution, the patent inverts the approach by moving only the collimator while keeping the detector stationary at a fixed position. This ensures that the detector always maintains a constant distance and geometry relative to the item, preserving consistent spatial resolution across all scanned regions
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator acts as an intermediary that moves between the stationary source and stationary detector to selectively define the interrogation volume. By placing the collimator in the beam path rather than moving the detector, the system achieves volume coverage through collimator positioning while the stationary detector maintains consistent spatial resolution characteristics for all measurements
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 solution reduces scan time, lowers operational and maintenance costs, increases detection efficiency, and decreases false alarms, enabling faster and more accurate three-dimensional imaging of items regardless of their physical attributes.
Implementation Method 1
receive at least a portion of a scatter x-ray flux subsequent to interaction of the fan-beam with a piece of the item
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of quadrilateral passages is configured to decrease a rate of detection of second x-rays that define an x-ray transit path that intersects more than one such quadrilateral passage
Implementation Method 3
at least one x-ray source to generate a single x-ray fan-beam having multiple photon energies
Implementation Method 4
a first collimator that facilitates forming the fan-beam
Implementation Method 5
The x-ray detector receives at least a portion of the scatter x-ray flux and generates a detector response in the form of a detector signal
Data Source
AI summary
An x-ray diffraction imaging device includes at least one x-ray detector and at least one scatter collimator positioned upstream of the at least one x-ray detector. The at least one collimator includes a plurality of successive plates. Each of the plurality of plates defines a plurality of rectangular holes. The plurality of successive plates are arranged such that the plurality of rectangular holes define a plurality of quadrilateral passages extending through the at least one scatter collimator. Each of the plurality of quadrilateral passages is configured to increase a rate of detection of first x-rays that define an x-ray transit path enclosed within a single such quadrilateral passage. Also, the plurality of quadrilateral passages is configured to decrease a rate of detection of second x-rays that define an x-ray transit path that intersects more than one such quadrilateral passage.