Abstract: In order to image test objects by electromagnetic waves, in particular millimetric waves, a test object is illuminated with the electromagnetic waves, the scattered waves are received, and are evaluated for a representation of the test object in the form of an image based on the principle of “synthetic aperture radar” (SAR). In order to allow as large an area as possible to be imaged with high resolution in a short time, the phase centres of the transmitting and receiving antennas are, according to the invention, moved on a circular path parallel to the respective digital focus planes of the imaging system, and are at the same time shifted linearly in a further direction parallel to the respective focus plane. The method can be used for monitoring people for suspicious objects, for example for monitoring airline passengers at an airport.

Abstract: A conveying device is provided in systems for safety checking items of luggage or cargo, comprising at least one baggage switch with at least two horizontal conveyors, which are parallelly arranged one above the other at a fixed distance and which can be vertically displaced with the aid of an elevator.

Abstract: For assembling/disassembling a printed circuit board, a specially shaped spring is to be integrated inside the device. The assembly/disassembly of the printed circuit board in the device is simplified by virtue of the fact that the printed circuit board has to be pressed only against the spring and a fixed supporting part of the device to which the spring is attached. In order to be able to press the printed circuit board, among other things, perpendicularly against the fixed supporting part, the specially designed leg spring is fastened underneath the fixed supporting part. The legs of this spring protrude outward on both sides beyond the top-side of the supporting part. During assembly, the printed circuit board is guided between the top-side and the protruding spring legs. The printed circuit board is fixed by additional supporting parts of the device.

Abstract: In order to check hand luggage and other objects carried by persons, control stations are needed, which have a control unit, in particular an X-ray checking unit, a conveyor which extends through the control unit, a depositing point which is arranged ahead of the conveyor, and a removal point which is arranged behind the conveyor, for the objects and having transport tubs which can be placed onto the conveyor. Small objects and items of clothing are placed in the transport tubs and conveyed through the control unit for checking. A return conveyor for the transport tubs is arranged next to or below the conveyor which passes through the control unit, which return conveyor reaches from the removal point behind the conveyor at least as far as into the region of the depositing point ahead of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for imaging test objects by means of electromagnetic waves, in particular for the purpose of checking individuals for suspicious articles, in which method the test object is illuminated by electromagnetic waves, the scattered waves are received and evaluated for an imaginal representation of the test object on the basis of the synthetic aperture principle (SAR). A synthetic aperture is produced by the waves output by an antenna being concentrated initially in spatial terms, the point of high concentration being moved on a reflector along a circle.

Abstract: A method for imaging test objects by millimeter waves, especially for checking individuals for suspicious objects is provided, whereby the test object is gradually irradiated with millimeter waves along its circumference and the scattered waves are received and evaluated in order to display an image of the test object. A viewing direction of the transmitting area and a direction of reception of the receiving area extend at an angle of 15° to 70°, preferably 20° to 35° to the longitudinal axis of the test object. For evaluation of the scattered waves in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the test object, a pulse radar or FMCW radar technology is used, and for evaluation at an angle to the longitudinal axis, SAR technology is used.

Abstract: A portable control station for the inspection of people and luggage includes a portable, container-like room module, which on two opposite walls has at least one door each. Between the doors, a passage zone for people is formed inside the room module. In the area of the passage zone, a people inspection device is arranged, and alongside the passage zone an inspection device for luggage with a control area is located.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system in which a thin X-ray absorber is placed upstream of an object under investigation so as to remove low energy X-rays, typically below 0.5 MeV. The absorber may be a sheet of lead 10 mm thick. Where the X-ray inspection system which incorporates a detector which relies on the electro-magnetic cascade effect produced in suitable materials when bombarded with X-rays so that energy is transferred into the material at different depths depending on the energy of incident X-rays, and the first component on which the X-rays impinge comprises a relatively thin crystal this unwanted background may be reduced by placing a vessel containing a fluid whose density is less than that of air, in front of the detector crystal array. Typically the fluid is helium at atmospheric or slightly greater than atmospheric pressure. The background can be reduced by applying a magnetic field in the region in front of the detector crystal array so as to sweep away electrons from that region.

Abstract: A device is provided for inspecting objects, particularly pieces of luggage, for suspicious contents using electromagnetic radiation. The device includes a housing comprised of a support and a closable opening through which an object to be inspected can be placed on a receiving element; a source for electromagnetic radiation and a designated detector array, both of which are arranged in the housing such that an inspection area is located above the receiving element; a positioning aid, which indicates the inspection area to an operator; and an evaluation unit including a computer, where the radiation intensities measured by the detector array are evaluated with respect to suspicious materials.

Abstract: A collimator is provided with an adjustable focal length, particularly in X-ray testing systems, comprising an outer part with a conical inner surface and with a inner part having an conical outer surface, which are connected to one another at a fixed distance, as well as with at least one cone sliding part situated between the inner part and outer part in a manner that enables it to move.

Abstract: A device is provided for inspecting objects, particularly pieces of luggage, for suspicious contents using electromagnetic radiation. The device includes a housing comprised of a support and a closable opening through which an object to be inspected can be placed on a receiving element; a source for electromagnetic radiation and a designated detector array, both of which are arranged in the housing such that an inspection area is located above the receiving element; a positioning aid, which indicates the inspection area to an operator; and an evaluation unit including a computer, where the radiation intensities measured by the detector array are evaluated with respect to suspicious materials.

Abstract: A method and system include at least one X-ray source for producing at least one X-ray beam, at least one detector assembly, at least one shutter, and a barcode reader. The shutter directs the at least one X-ray beam toward the detector assembly. The barcode reader is affixed, in a predetermined proximity, to the shutter for detecting a barcode on an object that is moved along the shutter thereby causing the shutter to be opened from a closed state and/or fully closed once the barcode has been detected.

Abstract: For assembling/disassembling a printed circuit board, a specially shaped spring is to be integrated inside the device. The assembly/disassembly of the printed circuit board in the device is simplified by virtue of the fact that the printed circuit board has to be pressed only against the spring and a fixed supporting part of the device to which the spring is attached. In order to be able to press the printed circuit board, among other things, perpendicularly against the fixed supporting part, the specially designed leg spring is fastened underneath the fixed supporting part. The legs of this spring protrude outward on both sides beyond the top-side of the supporting part. During assembly, the printed circuit board is guided between the top-side and the protruding spring legs. The printed circuit board is fixed by additional supporting parts of the device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting items in objects, such as in luggage, wherein a detector apparatus, functioning as a second detector is divided into a lower testing stage and a higher testing stage. In the lower testing stage, the coordinates of the object location are determined, and subsequently, a diffraction apparatus is moved to this location in the higher testing stage. In particular, X-ray diffraction can be employed to determine the explosive material of the item in the object. The diffraction apparatus comprises a collimator/detector arrangement, which is disposed to be adjusted height-wise and laterally in the higher testing stage, with a laterally-adjustable X-ray source, which is synchronized with the collimator/detector arrangement. The collimator/detector arrangement preferably has only one collimator and one detector. The collimator preferably has a conically-expanding ring slot, which a predetermined angle ?M of a scatter radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for examining containers and/or vehicles at an airport for impermissible contents, such as explosives, weapons, drugs, smuggled goods and the like. To improve the ability to identify such items in the article or vehicle under inspection, an image processor is provided having a computer to which the signals of the radiation detectors are supplied. The computer uses these signals to calculate a radiation silhouette of the articles. A memory is provided in which a reference image of the article is stored. A comparison circuit is supplied with the signals from the computer and from the memory, so that a differential image derived from the calculated radiation silhouette from the computer and from the reference image is displayed on a monitor, connected to the comparison circuit. Differences between the cureent image and the reference image can thereby be easily observed.

Abstract: A flashbulb having an increased energy density. The composition of the hard glass of the flashbulb is selected such that the components thereof that volatilize easily during a discharge of the flashbulb are at least partially emitter substances that reduce the work function at the cathode member.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting containers or vehicles at airports for illegal contents, such as bombs, weapons, drugs or smuggled goods includes two x-ray generators and two line-shaped radiation detectors, a first of the radiation detectors receiving radiation from a fan beam of a first radiation generator, and the second radiation detector receiving radiation from a fan beam of a second radiation generator. The respective central rays of the fan beams are disposed substantially perpendicularly realtive to each other.

Abstract: Ignition circuit for a gas discharge lamp. In the ignition circuit, the generating of uniform current pulses for ignition over the entire useful life of the gas discharge lamp is guaranteed. A control circuit is provided for holding constant the current-time integral of current pulses applied to the gas discharge lamp during ignition.

Abstract: A flash lamp which has two electrodes of refractory metal fused into a glass housing. In order to enable a soft-soldered connection, the outer end of the electrodes is respectively connected to a soft-solderable metal coating.

Abstract: A position sensor for supplying digital signals corresponding to the position of a movable part in non-contacting, reliable fashion. A number of individual electrodes are applied on a substrate with a layer of a-Si:H applied thereon. A common, large-area collector electrode is applied over the a-Si:H layer. A light beam is moved over the collector electrode to activate a predetermined combination of photosensitive pixels which may be photodiodes or photoresistors. These pixels are situated between the individual electrodes and the common collector electrode. The output signals of the photodiodes are in the form of a digital code that characterizes the location of the light beam.