Abstract: An x-ray inspection apparatus designed for safe, efficient, simple and rapid inspection of assembled automotive airbag inflators to detect the presence of defects in construction. The apparatus includes a lead-lined cabinet having spaced apart entry and exit openings and a central inspection space intermediate thereto which houses a continuous source of x-rays and an x-ray visual imaging system for converting x-radiation into a visible image that can be compared to a standard in order to determine whether the inflator has been properly constructed. The apparatus also includes a conveyor for moving inflators into and out of the x-ray cabinet. The entry and exit sections of the x-ray cabinet are sealed with respective single rotating doors. Each rotating door includes a rotatable cylindrical drum having only one opening in the sidewall of the drum configured to receive an inflator.

Abstract: A real time radiographic inspection system for inspecting a part includes a first, generally cylindrical housing having inner and outer substantially cylindrical coaxially aligned walls defining a substantially annular chamber therebetween. First and second through openings are formed in the outer cylindrical wall spaced substantially 180.degree. apart. A through opening is formed in the inner wall aligned with the first through opening in the outer wall. A second housing extends radially outwardly from and surrounds the first through opening in the outer wall, while the second through opening in the outer wall defines an entrance to the annular chamber. An X-ray source is mounted in one of the first and second housings for directing an X-ray beam through the aligned through openings of the inner and outer walls. An image intensifier is mounted in the other of the first and second housings in alignment with the aligned through openings and positionable in registry with the X-ray beam.