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Publication Number
US-11561321-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present specification discloses a high speed scanning system for scanning cargo carried by rail. The system uses of a two-dimensional X-ray sensor array with, in one embodiment, a cone-beam X-ray geometry. The pulse rate of X-ray source is modulated based on the speed of the moving cargo to allow a distance travelled by the cargo between X-ray pulses to be equal to the width of the detector, for a single energy source, and to half the width of the detector for a dual energy source. This ensures precise timing between the X-ray exposure and the speed of the passing object, and thus accurate scanning of cargo even at high speeds.
Core Innovation
The invention is an X-ray inspection system adapted to scan cargo carried by a moving train. An X-ray source generates X-ray beam signals directed toward the cargo, and at least one detector array receives X-ray beam signals transmitted through the moving train. The X-ray source and the at least one detector array are placed on opposite sides of the moving train to form an inspection zone, and an image processing system generates one or more X-ray images of the cargo from detector data.
The system includes at least one axle counter configured to generate axle counter data indicative of a speed or position of the moving train. A control system receives the axle counter data and, based on the axle counter data, activates the X-ray source and/or modulates the X-ray source. The controller modulates at least one of pulse rate and energy level of the X-ray source based upon a function of at least one of a speed or position of the moving train, so X-ray emission timing follows train motion.
The modulation function supports timing constraints tied to detector width by modulating pulse rate so that a distance travelled between X-ray pulses equals the width of the detector or equals half the width of the detector. For material discrimination, the X-ray source can be constrained to alternate between a high-energy X-ray beam emission and a low-energy X-ray beam emission, and the system further includes image processing configured to generate X-ray images using the alternating emissions.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified is one (clm-00001). The inventive features in the independent claim focus on a train-mounted X-ray inspection geometry, axle-counter-derived control of activation and modulation of the X-ray source, and modulating pulse rate and/or energy level according to a function of train speed or position, with dependent refinements further specifying detector-width-based pulse spacing and alternating energy for material characterization.
Train cargo X-ray inspection geometry
The X-ray source generates X-ray beam signals directed toward the cargo, and at least one detector array receives X-ray beam signals transmitted through the moving train, with the X-ray source and the detector array placed on opposite sides of the moving train to form an inspection zone.
Axle-counter-derived speed or position control
At least one axle counter generates axle counter data indicative of a speed or position of the moving train, and a control system receives the axle counter data.
Pulse-rate and/or energy-level modulation based on train motion
Based on the axle counter data, the control system activates the X-ray source and/or modulates the X-ray source, where the controller modulates at least one of pulse rate and energy level based upon a function of at least one of a speed or position of the moving train.
Detector-width-based pulse spacing
The control system modulates the pulse rate so a distance travelled by the moving train between X-ray pulses equals the width of the detector, or equals half the width of the detector.
Alternating high-energy and low-energy emissions for material data
The X-ray source switches alternately to generate a high-energy X-ray beam emission and a low-energy X-ray beam emission to generate data indicative of characteristics of material within the moving train.
Overall, the independent claim covers an X-ray inspection system for cargo carried by a moving train in which axle-counter-derived speed/position drives activation and modulation of pulse rate and/or energy level, with further refinements that tie pulse spacing to detector width and enable alternating high-energy/low-energy emissions for material characterization.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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