# US 2024/0201109 A1 · Method of scanning a component

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- Number: US 2024/0201109 A1
- Document ID: US20240201109A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/524,081
- Filed: 2023-11-30
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-12-14
- Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
- Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
- Inventors: Akhil MULLOTH
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201109A1

## CPC

- G01N 23/046: using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
- G01N 23/083: the radiation being X-rays
- G01N 2223/309: support of sample holder
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of scanning a component by computed tomography, the method comprising: providing the component having a first density; supporting the component in a scanning orientation using a support bed, the support bed comprising a granular material disposed in a container, the granular material having a second density lower than the first density; wherein supporting the component comprises at least partially embedding the component in the granular material. The method further comprises scanning the component in the scanning orientation by X-ray or gamma ray scanning to produce an image of the component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of scanning a component by computed tomography, the method comprising:
providing the component having a first density;
supporting the component in a scanning orientation using a support bed, the support bed comprising a granular material disposed in a container, the granular material having a second density lower than the first density;
wherein supporting the component comprises at least partially embedding the component in the granular material; and
scanning the component in the scanning orientation by X-ray or gamma ray scanning to produce an image of the component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is separated from the granular material by a barrier disposed between the component and the granular material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the barrier has a third density which is lower than the first density.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the barrier is formed by a casing surrounding the component.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the casing is vacuum sealed around the component.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support bed further comprises a rigid support element disposed in the container, the rigid support element having a fourth density which is lower than the first density; and
wherein the rigid support element is configured to interface with the component to retain the component at a scanning position within the container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container comprises a housing enclosing the granular material, the housing comprising a flexible wall configured to receive the component;
wherein the barrier is formed by the flexible wall; and
wherein supporting the component comprises positioning the component against the flexible wall to at least partially embed the component in the granular material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises a rigid wall, wherein the flexible wall is attached to the rigid wall.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support element comprises a plurality of the containers;
wherein supporting the component comprises arranging the component between the plurality of containers such that the component is at least partially embedded in the granular material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the barrier is transparent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the granular material is transparent.