Compact mobile cargo scanning system
The present invention is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present invention is an improved method and system with a novel boom structure that reduces the weight of the boom. The single, light-weight boom of the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low height and center of gravity lending to greater maneuverability.
1. An inspection system comprising:
a vehicle;
a platform attached to the vehicle and configured to rotate; and
a boom comprising:
a first vertical support attached to the platform;
a second vertical support telescopically extendable from the first vertical support, wherein the first vertical support and the second vertical support are configured to rotate based upon a rotation of the platform;
a horizontal member attached to the second vertical support;
a support member pivotably hinged to the horizontal member, wherein, in a first position, the support member is parallel to the first horizontal member and, in a second position, the support member is configured to extend perpendicular to the horizontal member; and
an X-ray source coupled to at least one of the vehicle, the platform, or the boom.
2. The inspection system of claim 1 wherein the X-ray source is a linear accelerator operating in a range of 2.5 MV to 6 MV.
3. The inspection system of claim 2 wherein the inspection system is adapted to have a penetration performance in a range of 200 mm to 400 mm.
4. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the boom defines a portal and wherein the portal is configured to allow passage of a vehicle having a width of less than 4 m and a height of less than 5.3 m.
5. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the X-ray source is a dual energy source configured to interleave high energy pulses and low energy pulses.
6. The inspection system of claim 5 , wherein the high energy pulses have an energy of 6 MV.
7. The inspection system of claim 6 , wherein the low energy pulses have an energy of less than 6 MV.
8. The inspection system of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein the plurality of detectors comprises high energy detectors and low energy detectors.
9. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to an internal area within the boom.
10. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate 90 degrees to position the boom perpendicular to a side of the vehicle.
11. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate 80 degrees to position the boom offset to a side of the vehicle.
12. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate and deploy the boom in a range of 75 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a scanning direction.
13. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the boom has a weight and wherein the boom is positioned such that, upon movement of the boom, the weight is substantially distributed over a rear axle of the vehicle.
14. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein each of the plurality of detectors comprises at least one of cadmium, zinc, cesium or iodine.
15. An inspection system comprising:
a vehicle;
a platform attached to the vehicle and configured to rotate;
a boom comprising:
a vertical support attached to the platform, wherein the vertical support is configured to move upwards and downwards and configured to rotate based upon a rotation of the platform;
a horizontal member attached to the vertical support;
a support member pivotably hinged to the horizontal member, wherein, in a first position, the support member is parallel to the first horizontal member and, in a second position, the support member is configured to extend perpendicular to the horizontal member;
a linear accelerator configured to operate at an energy range between 2.5 MV and 6MV and coupled to at least one of the vehicle, the platform, or the boom; and
an actuator configured to cause the platform to rotate to thereby position the boom at an angle relative to a side of the vehicle.
16. The inspection system of claim 15 wherein the inspection system is adapted to have a penetration performance in a range of 200 mm to 400 mm.
17. The inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the boom defines a portal and wherein the portal is configured to allow passage of a vehicle having a width of less than 4 m and a height of less than 5.3 m.
18. The inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the linear accelerator is a dual energy source configured to interleave high energy pulses and low energy pulses.
19. The inspection system of claim 18 , wherein the high energy pulses have an energy of 6 MV.
20. The inspection system of claim 19 , wherein the low energy pulses have an energy of less than 6 MV.
21. The inspection system of claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein the plurality of detectors comprises high energy detectors and low energy detectors.
22. The inspection system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to an internal area within the boom.
23. The inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator is configured to cause the platform to rotate 90 degrees to position the boom perpendicular to the vehicle.
24. The inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the boom has a weight and wherein the boom is positioned such that, upon movement of the boom, the weight is substantially distributed over a rear axle of the vehicle.
25. The inspection system of claim 15 , wherein the angle is in a range of 75 degrees to 90 degrees.
26. The inspection system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of detectors attached to the boom, wherein each of the plurality of detectors comprises at least one of cadmium, zinc, cesium or iodine.