Method, system and apparatus for aiming a device emitting a radiant beam

A method of aiming a radiant beam emitter at a target object having a surface, such that when the radiant beam emitter is energized, the radiant beam strikes the surface of the target object at an angle substantially perpendicular to the surface of the target object, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) positioning on the surface of the target object a light emitter adapted to emit a beam of light from a point of origin, such that the beam of light forms a substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the surface of the target object;
• b) positioning a reflector having a planar surface on the radiant beam emitter such that, when the radiant beam emitter is energized, the radiant beam strikes the reflector at a substantially perpendicular angle to the planar surface of the reflector;
• and
• c) positioning the target object and the radiant beam emitter such that the beam of light strikes the reflector and is reflected substantially back to the point of origin.

A method of producing a radiographic image of a target object taken at a predetermined angle and direction, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) positioning on the surface of the target object a light emitter adapted to emit a beam of light from a point of origin, such that the beam of light forms an angle with respect to the surface of the target object corresponding to the predetermined angle and direction at which the radiographic image is desired to be produced;
• b) positioning a reflector having a planar surface on a radiant beam emitter such that, when the radiant beam emitter is energized, a radiant beam strikes the reflector at a substantially perpendicular angle to the planar surface of the reflector;
• c) positioning the target object and the radiant beam emitter such that the beam of light strikes the reflector and is reflected substantially back to the point of origin;
• and
• d) positioning a radiographic material adapted to receive a radiographic image such that when the radiant beam emitter is energized the radiant beam impinges the radiographic material after passing through the target object, thereby producing the radiographic image of the target object.

A system for producing a radiographic image of a target object taken at a predetermined angle and direction, the system comprising:

• a) a radiant beam emitter;
• b) a light emitter adapted to emit a beam of light from a point of origin, the light emitter being positioned on the surface of the target object such that the beam of light forms an angle with respect to the surface of the target object corresponding to the predetermined angle and direction at which the radiographic image is desired to be produced;
• c) a reflector having a planar surface, the reflector being positioned on the radiant beam emitter such that, when the radiant beam emitter is energized, a radiant beam strikes the reflector at a substantially perpendicular angle to the planar surface of the reflector, the radiant beam emitter being positioned such that the reflector reflects the beam of light substantially back to the point of origin;
• and
• d) a radiographic material adapted to receive a radiographic image, the radiographic material being positioned such that the radiant beam impinges the radiographic material after passing through the target object, thereby producing the radiographic image.