Variable speed three-dimensional imaging system

A method of imaging an object comprising:

• moving a radiation source at a select velocity through multiple imaging positions relative to an object;
• projecting radiation at more than one select radiation dosage from the radiation source through the object;
• and
• detecting the radiation transmitted through the object.

A method of imaging an object comprising:

• projecting radiation from a radiation source through an object;
• moving the radiation source through multiple imaging positions relative to the object without stopping movement of the source while projecting radiation at more than one of the imaging positions and wherein the velocity at which the radiation source is moved through a select imaging position is related to a resolution desired for data collected at the select imaging position;
• and
• detecting the radiation transmitted through the object.

An apparatus for imaging an object comprising:

• A radiation source for projecting radiation through an object;
• means for moving the radiation source through multiple imaging positions relative to the object wherein movement of the source is not stopped while projecting radiation at more than one of the imaging positions and a source velocity for at least one imaging position is different from a source velocity for a second imaging position;
• and
• means for detecting the radiation transmitted through the object.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a radiation source;
• a radiation detector;
• the radiation source and the radiation detector being coupled for rotation in an X-Z plane about a axis of rotation along a Y-axis while maintaining radiation communication therebetween;
• a platform configured to maintain an object in a fixed position relative to and between the radiation source and the radiation detector;
• and
• the radiation source, the radiation detector and the platform being operatively associated for vertical movement along a Z-axis without movement relative to one another along the Z-axis.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a radiation source;
• a radiation detector;
• the radiation source and the radiation detector being coupled for rotation in an X-Z plane about an axis of rotation along a Y-axis while maintaining radiation communication therebetween;
• and
• a platform configured to maintain an object in a fixed position relative to and between the radiation source and the radiation detector, the platform being configured for rotation about the axis of rotation.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a radiation source;
• a radiation detector having a detection surface;
• and
• the radiation source and the radiation detector being coupled for rotation in an X-Z plane about an axis of rotation while maintaining radiation communication therebetween, the radiation detector further being configured for movement between a first position relatively near the radiation source and a second position relatively far from the radiation source.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a radiation source;
• a radiation detector;
• rotating means for rotating the radiation source and radiation detector in an X-Z plane about an axis of rotation while maintaining radiation communication therebetween;
• means for securing an object between the radiation source and detector;
• means for accelerating and decelerating the radiation source and detector between multiple imaging positions;
• and
• damping means for damping vibration of the radiation source, radiation detector and the securing means relative to one another during rotating of the radiation source and radiation detector.