Patents Assigned to Science & Engineering, Inc.
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Patent number: 7099434Abstract: An inspection system based upon an enclosed conveyance such as a van, capable of road travel, for inspecting objects of inspection that may include persons. The conveyance is characterized by an enclosing body, or skin. A source of penetrating radiation and a spatial modulator for forming the penetrating radiation into a beam, both contained entirely within the body of the enclosed conveyance, irradiate an object with a time-variable scanning profile. A detector module generates a scatter signal based on penetrating radiation scattered by contents of the object, while a proximity sensor generates a relative motion signal based on a relative disposition of the conveyance and the inspected object. An image is formed of the contents of the object based in part on the scatter signal and the relative motion signal. A detector, which may be separate or part of the scatter detector module, may exhibit sensitivity to decay products of radioactive material.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: William Adams, Alex Chalmers, Lee Grodzins, Louis W. Perich, Peter Rothschild
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Patent number: 7015807Abstract: A method for detecting smoke detector alarms comprises analyzing at least two parameters of ambient sound over a period of time to detect a temporal pattern of the alarm. In one embodiment, a series of samples are taken over a period of time sufficiently long to include at least one full period of a repeating sound pattern, and the two parameters are frequency and amplitude of the loudest sound in each sample. The algorithmic analysis may be triggered by a detection algorithm that utilizes a lower amount of power than the algorithmic analysis. In other embodiments, the detection apparatus is incorporated into a conventional smoke detector that will detect both smoke and an alarm from another detector. In another embodiment, a smoke detector includes a transceiver to transmit an activation signal to neighboring smoke detectors when a fire is detected and to receive an activation signal from neighboring detectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Roby, Michael S. Klassen, Christopher F. Schemel, Diwakar Vashishat, Maclain M. Holton, Kelly R. Flint
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Patent number: 7010094Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an object, the system and method comprising a source for generating a penetrating radiation beam for irradiating the object, the beam having, for each instant of time, an instantaneous energy spectrum of intensity, a shaper for modulating the generated beam, thereby creating a shaped beam, the shaper comprising at least a first section and a second section, the first section attenuating the intensity of a portion of the generated beam by a first attenuation factor and the second section attenuating the intensity of another portion of the generated beam by a second attenuation factor, and at least one detector for detecting the shaped beam after the shaped beam interacts with the object. The source may scan a beam across an object while the source and at least one detector are moving on a platform capable of highway travel or on an inspection module movable with respect to the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Peter Rothschild, Roderick D. Swift
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Patent number: 6658087Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a physical object in a nautical environment includes a radiation source capable of directing a beam of penetrating radiation toward the physical object, and a detector capable of detecting the reaction of the physical object to the penetrating radiation. In addition to detecting the reaction, the detector is capable of delivering an output signal characterizing the physical object. Accordingly, the output signal is based upon the reaction of the physical object to the penetrating radiation.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Alex Chalmers, Charles Squires
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Patent number: 6621888Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an enclosure with penetrating radiation. Radiation side-scattered from an object within the enclosure is detected, allowing the object to be located. If the object is deemed suspect, a volume element of the suspect object is further irradiated with penetrating radiation, and radiation coherently-scattered by the volume element is detected. The energy spectrum and angular distribution of the coherently-scattered radiation are used to characterize the volume element of the suspect object.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, William Adams, Peter Rothschild
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Patent number: 6546072Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing an image of penetrating radiation scattered by objects concealed within a container. An image derived from penetrating radiation transmitted through the container is combined with a scatter image in regard to which it is accurately registered in such a manner as to provide enhanced visibility and photorealism of the combined image.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Alexander Chalmers
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Patent number: 6542574Abstract: A system for inspecting the contents of a container is provided. The system includes a first source for emitting sequential beams of penetrating electromagnetic radiation from a target in a first set of substantially parallel directions, a conveyor for moving the container relative to the first source, a first detector for detecting the penetrating radiation after interaction with the contents of the container and generating a first set of signals corresponding to each of the substantially parallel directions and a controller for characterizing the contents of the container based at least on the first set of signals. The first detector may be a scatter detector. Similarly, the first detector may be a transmission detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6459764Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a moving vehicle and for detecting material disposed within the vehicle. The system has a source for providing a generally horizontally pointing beam of penetrating radiation of specified cross-section so as to illuminate vehicles driven alongside the source of radiation. A detector arrangement, disposed between the source of radiation and the moving vehicle detects radiation from the beam scattered by any material disposed on the underside of the moving vehicle and generates a scattered radiation signal that may be used for characterizing the material disposed within the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Chalmers, Peter Rothschild, Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6459761Abstract: A system and methods for non-invasive x-ray inspection of an enclosure in such a manner as to reduce the ambient radiation dose to below a specified level. A beam spectrally filtered to emphasize a high-energy component of penetrating radiation is interleaved, temporally, with a beam dominated by a low-energy component. Thus both lightly loaded and heavily loaded cargo may be inspected while limiting the ambient scattered radiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Peter Rothschild
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Patent number: 6453007Abstract: An inspection system is for inspecting an object with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation provides a beam of radiation. The beam alternates between a first beam shape and a second beam shape, the first and second beam shapes being coplanar. A first detector arrangement is for detecting penetrating radiation from a portion of the beam transmitted through the object and generating a transmitted radiation signal. A second detector arrangement is for detecting penetrating radiation from a portion of the beam scattered by the object and generating a scattered radiation signal. A processor determines at least one characteristic of the object based at least on the transmitted and scattered radiation signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: William L. Adams, Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6442233Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an enclosure. A beam of x-rays is used for scanning the enclosure and for identifying areas of suspect material. The beam is subsequently coherently scattered off suspect materials, during the course of a single pass of the enclosure past the beam, for uniquely discriminating innocuous from contraband substances. One or more energy dispersive detectors measure radiation coherently scattered by an identified volume of suspect material. Absorption effects of the energy distribution of the coherently scattered radiation are compensated by means of a fiducial reference disposed between the interrogated object and the detectors.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, William Adams, Peter Rothschild
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Patent number: 6434219Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a beam of penetrating radiation of specified cross section that raster scans over a two-dimensional area, using a chopper wheel rotated about two axes. The wheel has a set of apertures of which at least one is illuminated to form the beam. Rotary actuators rotate the wheel about an axis of rotational symmetry of the wheel and about an axis not parallel to the axis of rotational symmetry of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Peter Rothschild, Lee Grodzins
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Publication number: 20020097836Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electronically steerable beams of sequential penetrating radiation. Charged particles from a source are formed into a beam and accelerated to a target. Electromagnetic radiation generated by the target is emitted with an angular distribution which is a function of the target thickness and the energy of the particles. A beam of particles is produced by allowing the radiation to exit from an apparatus through a collimator proximal to the target. The direction of the beam is determined by the point of radiation production and the corresponding array of transmission regions of the collimator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: American Science And Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6424695Abstract: A system and a method for determining the depth of an object with respect to a surface behind which the object is concealed. The intensity of x-rays backscattered from the object is measured by at least two backscatter detectors disposed at different positions with respect to the scattering object. The depth of a scattering source within the volume penetrated by the x-rays is derived from the ratio of scattered x-rays measured by the detectors.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, William Adams
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Patent number: 6421420Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electronically steerable beams of sequential penetrating radiation. Charged particles from a source are formed into a beam and accelerated to a target. Electromagnetic radiation generated by the target is emitted with an angular distribution which is a function of the target thickness and the energy of the particles. A beam of particles is produced by allowing the radiation to exit from an apparatus through a collimator proximal to the target. The direction of the beam is determined by the point of radiation production and the corresponding array of transmission regions of the collimator.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: American Science & Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6356620Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a scanned beam of penetrating radiation. A beam of particles illuminates a portion of a target, the illuminated portion comprising a focal spot having a centroid. Illumination of the target creates a beam of penetrating radiation such as x-rays. The beam of particles is swept across the target in such a manner that the centroid of the focal spot lies on a line defined by the instantaneous direction of the beam of penetrating radiation as defined, in turn, by a collimating path.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: American Science & Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Peter Rothschild, Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 6320933Abstract: A system and a method for determining the density of an object. The intensity of x-rays backscattered from the object is measured by at least two backscatter detectors disposed at different distances from the intersection of an incident x-ray beam with the plane of the detectors. At least one of detectors is sensitive only to x-rays that have scattered more than once in the object, the ratio of scattered x-rays measured by the detectors being a function of the density of the scattering medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, William Adams
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Patent number: 6292533Abstract: A device for inspecting a cargo container such as a motor vehicle or freight pallet, with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on a moveable bed, thereby allowing a beam of penetrating radiation to sweep the large container. At least one detector is also mounted on the bed, either on the side of the source or on a boom, so that, as the beam is scanned across the container, the container and any contents of the container are characterized by transmitted or scattered radiation, or both.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: American Science & Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Roderick Swift, Andrew Tybinkowski
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Publication number: 20010021241Abstract: A device for inspecting a cargo container such as a motor vehicle or freight pallet, with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on a moveable bed, thereby allowing a beam of penetrating radiation to sweep the large container. At least one detector is also mounted on the bed, either on the side of the source or on a boom, so that, as the beam is scanned across the container, the container and any contents of the container are characterized by transmitted or scattered radiation, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Roderick Swift, Andrew Tybinkowski
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Patent number: RE37899Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining the density distributions of three-dimensional elements that compose objects or groups of objects, by examining the objects with beams of x-rays or gamma radiation that are transmitted through the object in a plurality of approximately parallel paths and measuring the intensity of the radiation, scattered approximately perpendicular to the parallel paths, in arrays of detectors around the object. The energy of the x-rays or gamma rays is such that dominant interaction in the object is Compton scattering. The density of each element is determined from the totality of measurements by standard mathematical tomographic or relaxation techniques of data manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Charles G. Parsons