Backscatter X-ray inspection van with top-down imaging
View Patent ↗A system and method for inspecting a vehicle or other object by means of two sources and one or more detectors of penetrating radiation. The sources and detector(s) are carried on a mobile conveyance and deployed at a point of operation. One source irradiates an inspected object from within an enclosure, while a second source swings away from the conveyance on a deployable member, such as a boom, such that the second source can irradiate the vehicle from above. A backscatter image of the inspected object is based at least in part on radiation from the second source scattered by the inspected object.
1. An inspection system for inspecting an object, the system comprising:
a. a conveyance capable of on-road travel;
b. a deployable member coupled to the conveyance and adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis from a stowed position to an operational position;
c. a first source of penetrating radiation disposed on the deployable member for providing a first beam of penetrating radiation directed in a substantially vertical direction;
d. a second source of penetrating radiation disposed upon the conveyance for providing a second beam of penetrating radiation directed in a varying direction, the varying direction passing through a horizontal direction;
e. a first detector for detecting penetrating radiation from at least the first source after interaction of the object with the first beam of penetrating radiation and for generation of a downward-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the first beam; and
f. a controller for creating an image of contents of the object based at least on the downward-looking scatter signal.
2. The inspection system as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a second detector for detecting penetrating radiation from at least the second source after interaction of the object with the second beam of penetrating radiation and for generation of a side-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the second beam.
3. The inspection system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the deployable member is a boom.
4. The inspection system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the boom is capable of extension outward at approximately 90° to a central axis of the conveyance during the course of inspection.
5. The inspection system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the conveyance is self-propelled.
6. The inspection system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the conveyance includes a trailer.
7. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the first detector is mechanically coupled to the conveyance.
8. The inspection system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first detector is adapted for deployment from the conveyance prior to inspection operation.
9. A method for inspecting an object, the method comprising:
a. providing a conveyance capable of on-road travel;
b. illuminating an inspected object with a first beam of penetrating radiation emanating from a first source coupled to the conveyance by a deployable member adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis from a stowed position to an operational position, the first beam of penetrating radiation directed in a substantially vertical direction;
c. illuminating the inspected object with a second beam of penetrating radiation emanating from a second source disposed within the conveyance, the second beam directed in a varying direction, the varying direction passing through a horizontal direction;
d. detecting with a first detector penetrating radiation from at least the first source after interaction of the object with the first beam of penetrating radiation;
e. generating a downward-looking scatter signal corresponding to radiation scattered from the first beam; and
f. creating with a controller an image of contents of the object based at least on the downward-looking scatter signal.