Multiple image scanning X-ray method and apparatus

In an x-ray scanning system for examining internal characteristics of an object which system includes x-ray source means for scanning a charged particle beam in a raster pattern on a target plate to produce x-rays successively at different areas of said plate, at least one x-ray detector for disposition at the opposite side of said object from said x-ray source, said x-ray detector having an x-ray sensitive area and means for producing an electrical output signal that is inactive of x-rays impinging on said sensitive area, said sensitive area being sufficiently small in relation to said raster pattern to cause said output signal to vary in accordance with variations of radiation transmissivity at different regions of said object as said charged particle beam is swept in said raster pattern, the improvement comprising:

• traveling means for effecting lateral travel of at least one of said x-ray source and said x-ray detector relative to the other thereof in at least one direction during examination of said object, and
• means for generating a sequence of different x-ray views of said object at successive stages of said lateral travel by correlating variations of said output signals with the position of said charged particle beam in said raster pattern at the time that the variations occur, wherein said means for generating a sequence of different x-ray views includes at least one cathode ray tube monitor having a display screen which is impacted by an electron beam that is swept in a raster pattern, means for modulating said electron beam in accordance with said output signal of said detector, and means for synchronizing said raster patterns of said x-ray source means and said monitor,
• wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said x-ray detectors disposed in spaced apart relationship and forming a detector array and means for generating different sequences of said x-ray views from the output signals of different ones of said detectors suring said lateral travel,
• further including means for generating a first image at said display screen from the output signal of a first of said detectors and for generating a second image at said display screen from another of said detectors, and means for limiting visibility of said first image to one eye of an observer and for limiting visibility of said second image to the other eye of the observer whereby said observer perceives a three dimensional image of said object, and
• wherein said detectors are arranged in spaced apart pairs which provides the output signals for generating said first and second images, the numbers of each pair being spaced apart a distance that is smaller than the spacing of successive pairs from each other.

In an x-ray scanning system for examining internal characteristics of an object which system includes x-ray source means for scanning a charged particle beam in a raster pattern on a target plate to produce x-rays successively at different areas of said plate, at least one x-ray detector for disposition at the opposite side of said object from said x-ray source, said x-ray detector having an x-ray sensitive area and means for producing an electrical output signal that is indicative of x-rays impinging on said sensitive area, said sensitive area being sufficiently small in relation to said raster pattern to cause said output signal to vary in accordance with variations of radiation transmissivity at different regions of said object as said charged particle beam is swept in said raster pattern, the improvement comprising:

• traveling means for effecting lateral travel of at least one of said x-ray source and said x-ray detector relative to the other thereof in at least one direction during examination of said object, and
• means for generating a sequence of different x-ray views of said object at successive stages of said lateral travel by correlating variations of said output signals with the position of said charged particle beam in said raster pattern at the time that the variations occur,
• wherein said x-ray source means includes a plurality of vacuum tubes each having a face defined by a separate one of said target plates, said faces of said vacuum tubes being positioned to jointly provide a continuous x-ray origin area which is of greater extent in a direction normal to the direction of said lateral travel than the raster patterns at a single one of said target plates.

In an x-ray scanning system for examining internal characteristics of an object which system includes x-ray source means for scanning a charged particle beam in a raster pattern on a target plate to produce x-rays successively at different areas of said plate, at least one x-ray detector for disposition at the opposite side of said object from said x-ray source, said x-ray detector having an x-ray sensitive area and means for producing an electrical output signal that is indicative of x-rays impinging on said sensitive area, said sensitive area being sufficiently small in relation to said raster pattern to cause said output signal to vary in accordance with variations of radiation transmissivity at different regions of said object as said charged particle beam is swept in said raster pattern, the improvement comprising:

• traveling means for effecting lateral travel of at least one of said x-ray source and said x-ray detector relative to the other thereof in at least one direction during examination of said object, and
• means for generating a sequence of different x-ray views of said object at successive stages of said lateral travel by correlating variations of said output signals with the position of said charged particle beam in said raster pattern at the time that the variations occur,
• wherein said traveling means enables translation of said detector in each of three mutually orthogonal directions and also enables turning of said detector about an axis of rotation that extends in parallel relationship with said target plate of said x-ray source means.