Vertical CT Gantry Layout for Large-Object Security Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT imaging systems, particularly for security screening, face challenges with complex and costly designs due to the use of mechanically connected rotatable gantries that require translation along the object axis, limiting the size of objects that can be scanned and increasing system size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A CT imaging system with a rotatable gantry oriented vertically and supported by vertical bearings, allowing for horizontal scanning without translation, and utilizing a lift to move objects into the examination region, along with thrust bearings to support the gantry's weight and facilitate rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatable gantry is mechanically connected to a frame by means of a mechanical bearing and arranged to operate in a vertical plane, then the gantry can rotate about a horizontally oriented axis, but the system complexity and cost increase, and the size of the gantry support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional gantry orientation by arranging the gantry to operate in a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane, with the axis of rotation oriented vertically instead of horizontally. This inversion eliminates the need for complex mechanical bearings and support structures, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining the essential rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical bearing component from the system by adopting a horizontal gantry configuration that rotates about a vertical axis. This removal of the mechanical bearing simplifies the support structure and reduces overall system complexity while preserving the gantry's rotational functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotatable gantry is configured to translate along the axis of an object to image the object, then the scanning capability is improved, but the size of the gantry support structure increases and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the scanning approach by positioning the object to move through the horizontal gantry's examination region rather than having the gantry translate along the object's axis. This inversion maintains the ability to image objects of various sizes while eliminating the complex translation mechanism and reducing support structure requirements.
3Ease of operation
If bearings are used to support the rotatable gantry structure, then the gantry can rotate, but the size of the object that can be scanned is limited and the gantry support structure size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical bearing from the system by configuring the gantry to rotate about a vertical axis in a horizontal plane. This extraction of the bearing component eliminates the spatial constraints and support structure limitations that previously restricted the maximum object size that could be scanned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional configuration by orienting the gantry's rotation axis vertically rather than horizontally, allowing the examination region to extend in a different spatial dimension. This dimensional change enables larger objects to be scanned without being constrained by the physical footprint of mechanical bearing support structures.
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 configuration simplifies the system design, reduces complexity and cost, and enables scanning of larger objects by eliminating the need for mechanical translation, while maintaining efficient imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
one or more vertical bearings configured to rotationally support the rotatable gantry in the substantially vertical direction relative to the central axis and to support the weight of the rotatable gantry
Implementation Method 2
one or more thrust bearings positioned between the stationary support frame and the rotatable gantry and configured to support the weight of the rotatable gantry and facilitate rotation of the rotatable gantry about the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
A computer tomography (CT) imaging system is disclosed. The CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry and a lift. The rotatable gantry forms a bore defining an examination region. The rotatable gantry is oriented with a central axis thereof in a substantially vertical direction and is configured to scan one or more objects in a substantially horizontal plane. The lift is aligned with an opening of the examination region. At least a portion of the lift is sized to fit within the examination region and is configured to move the one or more objects into the examination region.