System, method, and apparatus for x-ray backscatter inspection of parts

An x-ray backscatter system for non-destructive inspection of a part, the x-ray backscatter system comprising:

• an x-ray backscatter apparatus, comprising:
• an x-ray source, comprising:
• a cathode that is selectively operable to generate an electron emission;
• and
• an anode, configured to receive the electron emission from the cathode and to convert the electron emission into an uncollimated x-ray emission;
• an x-ray collimator, comprising a plurality of emission apertures and a detection aperture and configured to convert the uncollimated x-ray emission into a collimated x-ray emission, comprising a portion of the uncollimated x-ray emission collimated through the plurality of emission apertures;
• an x-ray intensity sensor, fixed to the x-ray collimator over the detection aperture such that any portion of the uncollimated x-ray emission collimated into the detection aperture is detected by the x-ray intensity sensor;
• an emission alignment adjuster, operable to adjust a position of the uncollimated x-ray emission relative to the plurality of emission apertures and the detection aperture;
• and
• a plurality of x-ray detectors, positioned to detect backscattered portions of the collimated x-ray emission, backscattered off of the part;
• and
• a controller, operably coupled with the x-ray intensity sensor and the emission alignment adjuster and configured to control the emission alignment adjuster, such that a position of the uncollimated x-ray emission, relative to the plurality of emission apertures and the detection aperture, is adjusted in response to a position of a peak intensity of the uncollimated x-ray emission, relative to the detection aperture, detected by and received from the x-ray intensity sensor.

A method of non-destructive inspection of a part, the method comprising steps of:

• generating an electron emission;
• converting the electron emission into an uncollimated x-ray emission;
• collimating only a portion of the uncollimated x-ray emission into a detection aperture of an x-ray collimator;
• detecting a position of a peak intensity of the uncollimated x-ray emission, collimated into the detection aperture, relative to the detection aperture via a sensor fixed to the x-ray collimator over the detection aperture;
• and
• adjusting a position of the uncollimated x-ray emission relative to a plurality of emission apertures of the x-ray collimator in response to a detected position of the peak intensity of the uncollimated x-ray emission, collimated into the detection aperture, relative to the detection aperture.