IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,523,620
Granted Patent B2
US 12,523,620 · App. 18/137,901 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

X-ray inspection apparatus and method of inspection with X-rays

Inventors: Toshiyuki Takahara (Tokyo, JP); Tsuneo Sato (Tokyo, JP); Satoshi Matsubara (Tokyo, JP); Yuta Seki (Tokyo, JP); Kazuya Iwata (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH ANALYSIS CORPORATION
G01N23/083G01N23/04G01N23/18G01N2223/33
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,523,620
App. No.
18/137,901
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Proposed are an X-ray inspection apparatus and a method of inspection with X-rays in which foreign objects in even a sample in which bending, sagging, or curving may occur can be inspected accurately. The X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray source ( 2 ) which irradiates a sample with an X-ray, an X-ray detection unit ( 3 ) that is installed on a side opposite to the X-ray source with respect to the sample and detects the X-ray that passed through the sample, and a sample support mechanism ( 14 ) that supports the sample, wherein the sample is flexible and has a shape of a film, and the sample support mechanism has a support body ( 4 ) through which the X-ray is capable of passing and which is in close contact with and supports at least a portion of the sample, that is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detection unit.

Claims (24)

1 . An X-ray inspection apparatus comprising:

an X-ray source which irradiates a sample with X-rays;

an X-ray detection unit that is installed on a side opposite to the X-ray source with respect to the sample and detects the X-rays that passed through the sample; and

a sample support mechanism that supports the sample,

wherein the sample is in a shape of a flexible film

the sample support mechanism has an X-ray-transmittable support body that is in close contact with and supports at least a portion of the sample, that is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detection unit and

the support body is disposed on each of both surfaces of the sample such that the sample is sandwiched between a pair of support bodies to correct bending or sagging of the sample by the pair of support bodies when the sample is supported by the support body.

2 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support body is a plate in a shape of a flat plate on which the sample is disposed in close contact with a flat surface of the plate.

3 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sample support mechanism is provided with a plate support that supports the plate in a shape of a flat plate by leveling at least a portion, of the plate in a shape of a flat plate, that is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detection unit.

4 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising:

a moving mechanism capable of moving the sample, the X-ray source, and the X-ray detection unit relative to one another,

wherein the plate support supports the plate in a shape of a flat plate by constantly leveling the plate in a shape of a flat plate at a time of irradiation with the X-rays when the sample is moved.

5 . The X-ray inspection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sample support mechanism comprises:

a sample moving mechanism which continuously moves the sample in a shape of a band in an extension direction of the sample, and

a roller member as the support body, the roller member being rotatable while the sample is in contact with a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the roller member,

wherein the X-ray source is disposed inside or outside the roller member, and

the X-ray detection unit is installed on a side opposite to the X-ray source with respect to a portion of the sample in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller member.

6 . A method of inspection with X-rays comprising:

supporting a sample that is in a shape of a flexible film with a support body;

irradiating the sample with X-rays from an X-ray source; and

detecting the X-rays that passed through the sample with an X-ray detection unit installed on a side opposite to the X-ray source with respect to the sample,

wherein the support body is X-ray-transmittable,

the support body is in close contact with at least a portion, of the sample, that is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detection unit and

the support body is disposed on each of both surfaces of the sample such that the sample is sandwiched between a pair of support bodies to correct bending or sagging of the sample by the pair of support bodies when the sample is supported by the support body.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2025
From: TAKAHARA, TOSHIYUKI; SATO, TSUNEO; MATSUBARA, SATOSHI; SEKI, YUTA; IWATA, KAZUYA
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH SCIENCE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071931/0816 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 14, 2025
From: HITACHI HIGH-TECH SCIENCE CORPORATION
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH ANALYSIS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071701/0397 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230384246A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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