Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting objects with penetrating radiation having a conveying means with first and second portions which are separated by a gap. Illumination by penetrating radiation is provided in a scanning plane which is located in the gap, and the system may be used for the inspection of thin objects. Additionally, the illumination may be arranged in the inspection of normal size objects, e.g., suitcases or cargo boxes, so that it does not include a ray which is perpendicular to any face of the object. Further, the relative orientation of the scanning plane and the faces of the object may be arranged so that the illumination does not include a ray which is parallel to any face of the object. A scanning configuration wherein the illumination does not include a ray which is perpendicular or parallel to any face of an object having parallel faces, for example, a rectangular solid, results in a display projection of the object which appears to be three dimensional.

Abstract: An imaging device for increasing the ability to recognize, in x-ray produced images, materials of low atomic number. A flying spot scanner illuminates an object to be imaged in a raster pattern; the flying spot repeatedly sweeps a line in space, and the object to be imaged is moved so that the illuminating beam intersects the object. At least a pair of x-ray detectors are employed, each pair associated with signal processing apparatus and a display.

Abstract: An inspection system using penetrating radiation wherein pixels corresponding to transmitted radiation which has been attenuated to at least a predetermined level are displayed in a first color. Pixels which correspond to radiation which has been backscattered to a least predetermined level are displayed in a second color, and pixels which correspond to the remainder of the transmitted radiation are displayed in a third color. Additionally, the brightness of the color of each pixel is controlled in dependence on how far above or below the predetermined level the detected transmitted or scattered signal is.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating image information for objects inspect with penetrating radiation which utilizes a flying spot scanner of reduced mass. Objects are scanned with penetrating radiation along curved scan lines. The flying spot scanner which effects such scanning has a stationary absorber plate having a fixed slit in it which is curved, as well as a chopper wheel having radially oriented slits. As the chopper wheel rotates, the radially oriented slits traverse the projection of the radiation passing through the fixed slit, and because this slit is curved, the radial slits may be of reduced length, and the chopper wheel may be of reduced mass. The detected radiant energy is divided into pixels, and the pixels are addressed to a utilization means such as a memory or a display in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of the object define a curved line in the utilization means which has the same shape as the curved scanning line.

Abstract: Automatic threat detection in association with imaging which relies on a backscatter detector and illumination by a flying spot source of penetrating radiation. The digital backscatter image is processed to produce a histogram. The histogram is compared to a predetermined threat characteristic and an alarm is sounded if the histogram exceeds the threat characteristic. The threat characteristic is derived in an empirical fashion and automatically modified based on sensing selected parameters associated with the scanning. Operator control over the threat characteristic is also implemented. The flying spot source is also associated with a transmit detector to produce a transmit image. The transmit image is also processed against predetermined parameters for threat assessment. The predetermined parameters are also operator variable.

Abstract: Tomographic imaging is implemented by providing a source of penetrating radiation, means for forming a pencil beam and sweeping the pencil beam over a line in space, a radiation detector and a beam length collimator. The beam length collimator lies outside of the sweep plane defined by the sweeping motion of the pencil beam and has a plane of symmetry which intersects the sweep plane at an angle which may or may not be a right angle. The beam length collimator defines a sensitive volume which has a dimension along the length of the pencil beam where the selected slice is defined by (or partly by) a dimension of the pencil beam. The combination of the beam length collimator and the pencil beam define a sensitive volume from which scattered energy can pass the collimator and be detected. The beam length collimator preferentially detects energy scattered by the sensitive volume.

Abstract: Automatic thread detection in association with imaging with relies on a backscatter detector and illumination by a flying spot source of penetrating radiation. The digital backscatter image is processed to produce a histogram. The histogram is compared to a predetermined threat characteristic and an alarm is sounded if the histogram exceeds the threat characteristic. The threat characteristic is derived in an empirical fashion and automatically modified based on sensing selected parameters associated with the scanning. Operator control over the threat characteristic is also implemented. The flying spot source is also associated with a transmit detector to produce a transmit image. The transmit image is also processed against predetermined parameters for threat assessment. The predetermined parameters are also operator variable.

Abstract: Tomographic imaging with the aid of a line collimator is improved by providing for the illumination of a given linear element of the selected slice from a plurality of different directions. The line images resulting from illumination from different directions are then processed so as to minimize or eliminate spurious features of the image which result from portions of the object not lying along the slice but closer to the source of penetrating radiant energy than the slice plane.

Abstract: Information is derived from a selected fluorescent radiation line produced when an object is illuminated by a flying spot scanner. The illuminating radiation has an energy level sufficient to produce the fluorescent line when targeted components of the object are present and illuminated. A detector senses a fluorescent radiation line emitted from the targeted components to generate electrical fluorence based signals.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray source, a collimator, and an X-ray scatter detector. The X-rays are directed toward an object to be imaged where the collimator and detector are located between the source and object. The X-rays striking the object produce back scattered X-rays which are directed back through the collimator to the detector and an image is produced.

Abstract: A method of imaging for enhancing detection of cracks or flaws in an object using penetrating radiation is disclosed wherein a contrast medium is applied to an object before illumination and scatter radiation is detected from the object. This is achieved by employing a flying spot scanner and a backscatter imaging technique allowing imaging of objects which are not completely accessible, e.g. imaging the object where only one side accessible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of tomographic images includes a flying spot scanner to form, from a beam of penetrating radiation, a pencil beam sweeping over a line in space to define a sweep plane. An object to be examined is supported so that the pencil beam intersects the object along a path passing through the object and a selected slice of the object. A line collimator is provided for filtering radiation scattered by the object, the line collimator has a field of view which intersects the sweep plane in a bounded line so that the line collimator passes only that radiation scattered by elementary volumes of the object lying along the bounded line. A radiation detector responds to that portion of the scattered radiation which is passed by the line collimator.

Abstract: An imaging device for increasing the ability to recognize, in x-ray produced images, materials of low atomic number. A flying spot scanner illuminates an object to be imaged in a raster pattern; the flying spot repeatedly sweeps a line in space, and the object to be imaged is moved so that the illuminating beam intersects the object. At least a pair of x-ray detectors are employed, each pair associated with signal processing apparatus and a display.

Abstract: Computerized axial tomography is employed with respect to large relatively dense objects such as a solid fuel rocket engine. High energy X-rays, such as a 15 MeV source is used. To develop clean images, a collimator is employed with a relatively minute acceptance angle. Acceptance angles on the order to 1.degree., and in a preferred embodiment 7 minutes of a degree, are used. In a preferred embodiment, the collimator may be located between the object and the detector, although in other embodiments, a pre-collimator may also be used, that is between the X-ray source and the object being illuminated.

Abstract: A detector array for use in an X-ray or gamma-ray imaging system comprises a plurality of elongated tubular detector members which are juxtaposed in generally parallel relation to one another. Each detector includes a thin body of scintillator material which is so oriented relative to an X-ray beam of rectangular cross-section that the beam intercepts the scintillator material at a grazing angle, and the dimensions and orientation of the several scintillators are such that they intercept different portions of the X-ray beam respectively. The output signals from the several detectors are combined and processed to produce a display of an object being examined. The energy collected from the radiant source is greatly increased and is detected with nearly 100% efficiency.

Abstract: Radiation imaging means are disclosed for producing plural images exhibiting different resolution or contrast. As a pencil beam of radiation scans an object to be examined and is detected, its cross sectional size is periodically changed; and imaging means synchronously display signals obtained by detection of the respective beams of different cross section.

Abstract: Penetrating radiant energy imaging system employs a scanning pencil beam of radiant energy. In some embodiments of the invention, the cross-section of the beam varies in a controlled manner; in a disclosed embodiment the beam has either one or another cross-section. A detector responds to incident radiant energy passing through a target and provides signals to a processor which produces from the signals a pair of image arrays, each array consisting of signals generated by the scanning pencil beam of one cross-section or the other. Increased contrast and/or resolution is provided by selectively combining the signals in the image arrays. In other embodiments of the invention, specifically related to tomographic imaging, rather than controlling the cross-section of the radiant energy at the source, the cross-section of the radiant energy is controlled at the detector field.

Abstract: The detector signal in an X-ray scanning system is electronically analyzed; when the system resolves an object too small to be visualized when displayed in a standard shadowgraphic format on a cathode ray tube, a generated marker appears on the cathode ray tube display representative of the object's location and size/density.

Abstract: A scanning X-ray imaging system produces an image of the transmissivity of objects by producing a relative motion of the object generally perpendicular to the triangular planes joining an X-ray point source and M X-rays pass through a scanning slit assembly. The scanning slit assembly generally includes a plane of X-ray opaque material having N sets of line slits, where N is equal to or greater than 2, each set containing MMidentical line slits. The scanning slit assembly, in addition, includes a rotating X-ray opaque material containing N uniquely different sets of slits, each set containing identical slits. Each of the N sets of slits is uniquely paired with each of the M . N line slits. During any scan of an object, M detectors, M line slits and one of the N sets of slits are used. The scanning X-ray imaging system provides N selections in image resolution of the scanned object. The selectivity provides radiographic images with different contrast resolution and/or spatial resolution.

Abstract: A scanning X-ray imaging system produces an image of the transmissivity of objects by producing a relative motion of the object generally perpendicular to the triangular planes joining an X-ray point source and M X-ray line detectors, where M is equal to or greater than 1; these X-rays pass through a scanning slit assembly. The scanning slit assembly generally includes a plane of X-ray opaque material having N sets of line slits, where N is equal to or greater than 2, each set containing M identical line slits. The scanning slit assembly, in addition, includes a rotating X-ray opaque material containing N uniquely different sets of radial slits, each set containing identical radial slits. Each of the N sets of radial slits is uniquely paired with each of the N sets of line slits. During any scan of an object, M detectors, M line slits and one of the N sets of radial slits are used. The scanning X-ray imaging system provides N selections in image resolution of the scanned object.