Mobile aircraft inspection system
AssigneeRapiscan Systems, Inc.
InventorJoseph Bendahan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for scanning aircraft for concealed threats is provided. The system comprises a vehicle and a manipulator arm attached with a scanning head that can be maneuvered in multiple directions to completely scan an aircraft from the outside. The system uses transmission based X-ray detection, backscatter based X-ray detection or a combination thereof, in various embodiments. The system also includes gamma-ray and neutron detectors, for detection of nuclear and radioactive materials.
Claims11
A system for externally scanning an aircraft, having a body and an underside, to detect concealed threats, the system comprising:
- a mobile gantry defined by two vertical beams connected by a horizontal beam, wherein the horizontal beam comprises a top side of said gantry, and wherein said gantry is capable of being moved along the length of the aircraft being scanned;
- an X-ray source connected to the top side of said gantry, said source capable of being moved horizontally along the top side;
- and
- a movable detector unit comprising a first set of detectors, said detector unit being aligned with said X-ray source and being positioned along the underside of the aircraft, such that the first set of detectors receive X-rays transmitted through the aircraft from said X-ray source.
A system for externally scanning an aircraft, having a body and an underside, to detect concealed threats, the system comprising:
- a mobile gantry defined by two vertical beams connected by a horizontal beam, wherein the horizontal beam comprises a top side of said gantry, and wherein said gantry is adapted to move over at least one section of the aircraft being scanned;
- a transverse beam, having a first end and a second end, coupled to the top side of said gantry, adapted to be moved horizontally along the said top side, wherein an X-ray source is connected to the first end of said transverse beam and a counterweight is connected to the second end of said transverse beam to balance said X-ray source;
- and
- a movable detector unit comprising a first set of detectors, said detector unit being aligned to the X-ray source, such that the first set of detectors receive X-rays transmitted through the aircraft from said X-ray source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.