Patents Assigned to Smiths Heimann GmbH
  • Patent number: 8624772
    Abstract: A method for detecting hidden objects by means of electromagnetic millimeter waves is provided, in which a test object is irradiated with millimeter waves and the millimeter waves that are reflected from the test object are evaluated. The millimeter waves are focused on different depth layers of the test object during the irradiation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jeck, Claudius Volz
  • Publication number: 20130188772
    Abstract: A device includes a radiation tunnel in which an X-ray source and a detector unit are disposed, the detectors of which are aligned with the X-ray source so as to detect transmitted radiation for detecting suspicious objects. Disposed in the radiation tunnel is a frame which can be moved over an examination region and has two supports which extend at a spacing parallel to each other and are rigidly connected to each other, the radiation source being secured on one vertical support and the detector unit being secured on the other vertical support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
    Inventor: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
  • Patent number: 8474595
    Abstract: A system for screening carry-on baggage and other items carried by individuals is provided that includes a screening device, especially an X-ray screening device, a conveyor for conveying the items to be screened through the screening device, a support surface arranged upstream of the conveyor, a removal position for the items, arranged downstream of the conveyor, transport trays that are to be placed on the conveyor and in which small objects and items of clothing can be placed and conveyed through the screening device for screening, and a return conveyor for the empty transport trays. The return conveyor leads to a tray lift, the exit of which leads to a tray transfer path extending in parallel to the support surface, the transfer path tapering towards the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Crass, Sebastian Haak
  • Patent number: 8472587
    Abstract: The invention relates to a collimator with adjustable focal length, especially for use in X-ray testing devices whose operating principle is based on diffraction phenomena in an object. Fixed focal length collimators used in such X-ray testing devices have to be displaced over a large range. The aim of the invention is to reduce the range of displacement. For this purpose, the collimator has at least two diaphragms having respective substantially circular slots arranged about a common center axis, wherein at least one diaphragm can be displaced along the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Haunschild, Ullrich Herda, Uwe Siedenburg, Martin Hartick, Patricia Schall
  • Publication number: 20130126303
    Abstract: A system for screening carry-on baggage and other items carried by individuals is provided that includes a screening device, especially an X-ray screening device, a conveyor for conveying the items to be screened through the screening device, a support surface arranged upstream of the conveyor, a removal position for the items, arranged downstream of the conveyor, transport trays that are to be placed on the conveyor and in which small objects and items of clothing can be placed and conveyed through the screening device for screening, and a return conveyor for the empty transport trays. The return conveyor leads to a tray lift, the exit of which leads to a tray transfer path extending in parallel to the support surface, the transfer path tapering towards the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Smiths Heimann GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130126738
    Abstract: For examining objects, in particular for inspecting persons for suspicious items, devices having a scanning system for scanning the object and having an evaluating system are known. An optical marking system is provided, which indicates the position of an item classified as suspicious on the object itself or in a mirror image of the object by means of visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
    Inventor: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130126299
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for efficient passenger belonging screening at security checkpoints. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for tracking, analyzing, and collecting information in order to improve efficiency at security checkpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Schoepe, Stefan Aust, Kristofer Roe, Jason Dylan Gash
  • Publication number: 20130114788
    Abstract: A radiation tunnel of an X-ray test device is shielded in by means of a radiation protection curtain in order that no impermissible radiation emerges. The radiation protection curtain is constructed from plates which are connected to one another in a manner of a downwardly suspended flat-top chain and are produced from a plastics composite that absorbs X-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Smiths Heimann GmbH
  • Patent number: 8406520
    Abstract: A method for improving detail detectability in x-ray images is provided, whereby by means of an x-ray inspection device a positive x-ray image of an object is made, the x-ray image is subdivided into an object region and an empty region, and the empty region of the x-ray image is darkened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Henkel
  • Patent number: 8311309
    Abstract: A method for improving the ability to recognize materials in an X-ray inspection system is provided that includes the steps of recording at least two absorption X-ray images of an object to be examined at different energies, mathematically modeling the object by a number of layers assuming a particular material for each layer, wherein an absorption value describes the absorptivity of a layer, the number of layers is less than or equal to the number of X-ray images and at least one layer is assumed to be a material to be recognized during the inspection, decomposing the absorption value of each layer into a path-dependent factor and an energy-dependent factor, calculating the path-dependent factors for all layers from the absorption X-ray images using the absorption equation, calculating at least one synthetic image from the sum of all layers of the product of the absorption values and the weighting factors, evaluating the synthetic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Siedenburg
  • Publication number: 20120121070
    Abstract: The present invention provides system, devices, and methods for scanning an object while avoiding radiation exposure. For example, the present invention provides systems comprising a scanning device with input and output openings, and a safety sensor adjacent to the input or output opening that sends a signal that turns off or physically blocks electromagnetic radiation if the presence of an invading element (e.g., human hand) is detected by the safety sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Hess, Sven Wohlgethan, Andreas Streyl, Joerg Bermuth, Urs Viehboeck, Patricia Schall, Georg Geus
  • Patent number: 8169355
    Abstract: To depict test objects using electromagnetic waves, particularly to check people for suspicious articles, an apparatus is provided having: an antenna which emits electromagnetic waves, particularly millimetric waves, means for concentrating the emitted waves in three dimensions, and means for manipulating the waves at the point of high concentration such that this point serves as a moving virtual antenna for SAR evaluation. Whereby the means for three-dimensional concentration contain a rotatably mounted, focusing or defocusing, quasi-optical element and the means for manipulating the waves at the point of high concentration contain a reflector. In accordance with the invention, the quasi-optical element and the reflector are rotatably mounted about a common rotary axis and at the same angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Bartscher, Uwe Flehmig, Michael Jeck
  • Patent number: 8165267
    Abstract: A method and device is provided for controlling a hand luggage and other objects carried by flight passengers during check-in, wherein the complexity of an object is determined in a first verifying device by automatic verification. Afterwards, supplementary verification steps are carried out according to the determined complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Henkel
  • Patent number: 8073107
    Abstract: A betatron, especially in X-ray testing apparatus is provided, that includes a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke having two interspaced parts, an outer yoke connecting the two inner yoke parts, at least one main field coil, a toroidal betatron tube arranged between the opposing front sides of the inner yoke parts, and at least one contraction and expansion coil. An individual CE coil is respectively arranged between the front side of the inner yoke part and the betatron tube, and the radius of the CE coil is essentially the same as the nominal orbital radius of the electrons in the betatron tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Patent number: 8073108
    Abstract: An X-ray generator having a housing and having components located inside the housing for generating one or more X-ray beams, wherein the housing is composed of a tube body that is made of ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kilian, Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus
  • Patent number: 8013546
    Abstract: A betatron, especially for an X-ray testing apparatus is provided that includes a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke having two interspaced parts, at least one round plate that is arranged between the inner yoke parts in such a way that the longitudinal axis thereof coincides with the rotational symmetrical axis of the inner yoke, an outer yoke connecting the two inner yoke parts, at least one main field coil, a toroidal betatron tube arranged between the inner yoke parts, at least one tune coil in the region of the at least one round plate, and an electronic control system for controlling a current flow through the tune coil during the injection phase of the electrons into the betatron tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Patent number: 7994740
    Abstract: A betatron is provided, particularly in an x-ray inspection station, comprising an accelerator block that is provided with a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke composed of two spaced-apart pieces, at least one main field coil, and a toroidal betatron tube which is disposed between the pieces of the inner yoke. The betatron further comprises an outer yoke which embraces the accelerator block, connects the two pieces of the inner yoke, and has at least one lateral opening, as well as a lead shield that accommodates the accelerator block and the outer yoke. The outer yoke is composed of at least two parts which are movable relative to one another between an open and a closed position. The accelerator block can be laterally removed from the opening of the outer yoke that is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Patent number: 7983393
    Abstract: A betatron is provided for producing pulses of accelerated electrons, particularly in an x-ray testing device, comprising at least one main field coil, one expansion coil for transferring the accelerated electrons to a target, and one electronic control system of the expansion coil for applying an expansion pulse to the expansion coil. The electronic control system of the expansion coil is designed such that the time of the expansion pulse for adjusting the final energy of the electrons is variable relative to the main field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Patent number: 7889839
    Abstract: A betatron is provided, particularly for an x-ray inspection station, and includes a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke that is composed of two spaced-apart pieces, an outer yoke which connects the two pieces of the inner yoke, at least one main field coil, and at least one toroidal betatron tube located between the pieces of the inner yoke. At least part of the inner yoke and/or the outer yoke can be made of a composite powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck
  • Patent number: 7848491
    Abstract: A lead shielding for a betatron in an X-ray generator is provided that includes at least four shielding parts of which two are semi-cylindrical and provided with recesses in the envelope surfaces thereof. The semi-cylindrical shielding parts are arranged in corresponding recesses of the remaining shielding parts by means of the envelope surfaces thereof, such that the recesses in the envelope surfaces form air channels between the semi-cylindrical shielding parts and the remaining shielding parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Heimann GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Bermuth, Georg Geus, Gregor Hess, Urs Viehboeck