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US 8,798,232 B2Granted
Mobile aircraft inspection system
AssigneeRapiscan Systems, Inc.
InventorJoseph Bendahan
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims12
A system for scanning an aircraft from the outside for the detection of concealed threats, comprising:
- a scanning head comprising an X-ray source for generating an X-ray beam toward the aircraft and two backscatter detectors for receiving X-rays that are backscattered from the aircraft, wherein each of the two backscatter detectors are defined by a triangular space having a photomultiplier tube as one side and scintillator material as a second side and wherein each of the two backscatter detectors are positioned adjacent to a gap through which the X-ray beam is emitted;
- a manipulator arm for maneuvering the scanning head relative to the aircraft, wherein said manipulator arm has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is movably connected to a vehicle for transporting the system and wherein the second end is movably connected to the scanning head;
- a movable detector unit comprising a set of detectors, said detector unit being aligned with said scanning head such that the set of detectors receive the X-rays transmitted through the aircraft;
- a computer system for controlling the motion of the system, wherein said computer system further comprises a memory.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.