Patent · US Expired

Radiation scanning units including a movable platform

US7356115B2 · kind B2 · utility

82Cited by
94References
91Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 4, 2002
Grant dateApr 8, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 2, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2223/419
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A scanning unit for inspecting objects comprises in one embodiment a radiation source to emit a beam of radiation, a rotatable platform to support an object for inspection by the beam of radiation and a detector positioned to receive radiation after interaction of the beam with the object. At least one of the platform, the source and the detector may be moved in a first direction, such as vertically. The object may be scanned while being rotated and moved to generate volumetric computed tomographic images. The rotational and movement of the platform and the object may also be indexed. The beam of radiation may be a horizontally extending cone beam or a fan beam. The detector may extend horizontally, as well. The rotational and/or vertical position of the platform may be used to direct the object along one of multiple exit paths. The scanning unit may provide a vertically extending radiation beam and a vertically extending detector to conduct line scanning. The radiation source may be a source of X-rays, for example. Multiple sources may be provided. The scanning unit may also provide a pencil beam and a movable detector to detect scattered radiation. The pencil beam may induce fiss…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.