Portable vehicle inspection portal with accompanying workstation

Inventors

Morton, Edward James

Assignees

Rapiscan Systems Inc

Interested in licensing this patent?

MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.

Publication Number

US-11550077-B2

Patent

Publication Date

2023-01-10

Expiration Date


Abstract

The present specification discloses a radiographic inspection system for screening an area. The inspection system has a container that defines an enclosed volume, a radiation source positioned within the enclosed volume, a detector array, a movable structure attached to a portion of the base of the container, and a controller programmed to move the movable structure to achieve an optimum height of the radiation source's field of view based upon a plurality of data.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention relates to a portable radiographic vehicle inspection system for screening an object under inspection positioned in a vehicle. The system includes a structure with four walls, a ceiling, and a base that define an enclosed inspection volume in a first configuration. At least one radiation source is adapted to be coupled to the right wall, left wall, or the ceiling, and at least one detector array is adapted to be coupled to the right wall, left wall, ceiling, or base so that the radiation source and detector array generate scan data about the object under inspection.

The radiation source has a field of view that is automatically adjusted after deployment based on an image of an approaching inspection target. The system further includes a plate capture system configured to generate vehicle identification data from a plate of the vehicle under inspection, and a workstation configured to receive scan data and vehicle identification data, analyze them, and produce a threat report of the object under inspection.

The system is configurable between the first configuration and a second configuration, where the second configuration includes a ramp formed by lowering the front wall and back wall, and a portal inspection region formed by the right wall, left wall, and the ceiling with the ceiling raised to a height greater than the height of the ceiling in the first configuration. In the second scanning configuration, the vehicle is driven over the ramp for screening, and the generated scan data and vehicle identification data corresponding to the vehicle are transmitted to the workstation.

Claims Coverage

The document provides two independent claims. Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on four inventive features: automatic field-of-view adjustment, radiographic scan data generation, vehicle identification data with workstation threat-report analysis, and a two-configuration physical arrangement with a ramp and a raised-ceiling portal inspection region.

Automatic field-of-view adjustment based on approaching target image

At least one radiation source has a field of view adapted to be automatically adjusted after deployment based on an image of an approaching inspection target.

Radiation source and detector array generating scan data for the object

At least one radiation source and at least one detector array are configured to generate scan data corresponding to the object under inspection.

Vehicle identification data from plate and workstation producing threat report

A plate capture system generates vehicle identification data from a plate of the vehicle, and a workstation receives the generated scan data and the vehicle identification data to analyze them and to produce a threat report of the object under inspection.

Configurable two-configuration structure with ramp and raised-ceiling portal inspection region

The inspection system is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration, where the second configuration includes a ramp formed by lowering the front wall and back wall, and a portal inspection region formed by the right wall, left wall, and the ceiling with the ceiling raised to a height greater than the height of the ceiling in the first configuration.

Deploying from first portable configuration to second scanning configuration

Positioning the inspection system in a first portable configuration where the right wall, left wall, front wall, base, and ceiling define a volume, and positioning the inspection system in a second scanning configuration where the front wall and back wall are lowered to form a ramp and the ceiling is raised to form a portal inspection region.

The independent claims cover a portable inspection system and a deployment method that combine automatic radiation source field-of-view adjustment, scan data generation using a radiation source and detector array, plate-based vehicle identification with workstation threat-report generation, and a two-configuration structure that forms a ramp and a raised-ceiling portal inspection region.

Stated Advantages

Produces a threat report by analyzing generated scan data and vehicle identification data.

Documented Applications

Screening an object under inspection positioned in a vehicle using radiographic scan data and vehicle identification data.

Screening a vehicle by driving the vehicle over a ramp formed by lowering the front wall and back wall in a second scanning configuration.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Stay Connected with MTEC

Keep up with active and upcoming solicitations, MTEC news and other valuable information.