Rapid X-ray radiation imaging system and related method

1 . An X-ray radiation imaging system for imaging a cast resin transformer, the X-ray radiation imaging system comprising:

an enclosure;

a motorized base configured to rotate the cast resin transformer within the enclosure;

at least one X-ray source adjacent to the motorized base, the at least one X-ray source configured to irradiate the cast resin transformer with X-ray radiation while the motorized base rotates the cast resin transformer;

at least one X-ray detector adjacent to the cast resin transformer, the at least one X-ray detector to receive the X-ray radiation from the cast resin transformer; and

a processor coupled to the at least one X-ray source and the at least one X-ray detector and configured to

generate an image of the cast resin transformer, and

determine a spacing in a plurality of coils in the cast resin transformer based upon the image of the cast resin transformer.

2 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a gantry within the enclosure and coupled to the at least one X-ray source and the at least one X-ray detector.

3 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 2 further comprising:

at least one detector arm coupled between the gantry and the at least one X-ray detector; and

at least one source arm coupled between the gantry and the at least one X-ray source;

wherein the processor is configured to cause the at least one detector arm and the at least one source arm to respectively align the at least one X-ray detector and the at least one X-ray source with respect to the cast resin transformer.

4 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 3 wherein the at least one detector arm and the at least one source arm are configured to extend vertically and simultaneously with equal alignment.

5 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the at least one X-ray detector comprises a plurality of X-ray detectors spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer; and wherein the at least one X-ray source comprises a plurality of X-ray sources spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer and respectively opposite the plurality of X-ray detectors.

6 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the at least one X-ray detector and the at least one X-ray source are aligned along a tangent of the cast resin transformer.

7 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the at least one X-ray detector comprises a line scanner X-ray detector.

8 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a conveyor extending through the enclosure and to position the cast resin transformer on the motorized base.

9 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is opaque to X-ray radiation.

10 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the motorized base comprises an automated guided trolley (AGV).

11 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 1 wherein the motorized base comprises a platform, and a hydraulic piston under the platform and configured to vertically elevate and rotate the cast resin transformer.

12 . An X-ray radiation imaging system for imaging a cast resin transformer, the X-ray radiation imaging system comprising:

an enclosure;

a motorized base configured to rotate the cast resin transformer within the enclosure;

a gantry within the enclosure;

at least one X-ray source coupled to the gantry and being adjacent to the motorized base, the at least one X-ray source configured to irradiate the cast resin transformer with X-ray radiation while the motorized base rotates the cast resin transformer;

at least one source arm coupled between the gantry and the at least one X-ray source;

at least one X-ray detector coupled to the gantry and being adjacent to the cast resin transformer, the at least one X-ray detector to receive the X-ray radiation from the cast resin transformer;

at least one detector arm coupled between the gantry and the at least one X-ray detector; and

a processor coupled to the at least one X-ray source and the at least one X-ray detector and configured to

cause the at least one detector arm and the at least one source arm to respectively align the at least one X-ray detector and the at least one X-ray source with respect to the cast resin transformer, the at least one detector arm and the at least one source arm extending vertically and simultaneously with equal alignment,

generate an image of the cast resin transformer, and

determine a spacing in a plurality of coils in the cast resin transformer based upon the image of the cast resin transformer.

13 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 wherein the at least one X-ray detector comprises a plurality of X-ray detectors spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer; and wherein the at least one X-ray source comprises a plurality of X-ray sources spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer and respectively opposite the plurality of X-ray detectors.

14 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 wherein the at least one X-ray detector and the at least one X-ray source are aligned along a tangent of the cast resin transformer.

15 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 wherein the at least one X-ray detector comprises a line scanner X-ray detector.

16 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 further comprising a conveyor extending through the enclosure and to position the cast resin transformer on the motorized base.

17 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 wherein the enclosure is opaque to X-ray radiation.

18 . The X-ray radiation imaging system of claim 12 wherein the motorized base comprises an automated guided trolley (AGV).

19 . A method for making an X-ray radiation imaging system for imaging a cast resin transformer, the method comprising:

providing a motorized base configured to rotate the cast resin transformer within an enclosure;

coupling at least one X-ray source to be adjacent to the motorized base, the at least one X-ray source configured to irradiate the cast resin transformer with X-ray radiation while the motorized base rotates the cast resin transformer;

coupling at least one X-ray detector to be adjacent to the cast resin transformer, the at least one X-ray detector to receive the X-ray radiation from the cast resin transformer; and

coupling a processor to the at least one X-ray source and the at least one X-ray detector and to

generate an image of the cast resin transformer, and

determine a spacing in a plurality of coils in the cast resin transformer based upon the image of the cast resin transformer.

20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising positioning a gantry within the enclosure and coupled to the at least one X-ray source and the at least one X-ray detector.

21 . The method of claim 20 further comprising:

coupling at least one detector arm between the gantry and the at least one X-ray detector; and

coupling at least one source arm between the gantry and the at least one X-ray source;

wherein the processor is configured to cause the at least one detector arm and the at least one source arm to respectively align the at least one X-ray detector and the at least one X-ray source with respect to the cast resin transformer.

22 . The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one X-ray detector comprises a plurality of X-ray detectors spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer; and wherein the at least one X-ray source comprises a plurality of X-ray sources spaced annularly with respect to the cast resin transformer and respectively opposite the plurality of X-ray detectors.