Portable inspection apparatus
OwnerKo Khee Tayinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is generally related to a portable inspection apparatus for placement in an inspection area and for inspection of vehicles passing through the inspection area. The portable inspection apparatus comprises a support structure arranged to extend away from a surface of the inspection area, a base for disposal on the surface, and an inspection field generator comprising an emitter and a detector for generating an inspection field. A first one of the emitter and the detector may be supported by the support structure and a second one of the emitter and the detector may be supported by the base. A ramp is arranged to pivot relative the surface between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the ramp extends away from the base for allowing a vehicle to pass over the ramp and the base through the inspection field.
Claims15
A portable inspection apparatus for placement in an inspection area and for inspection of vehicles passing through the inspection area, the portable inspection apparatus comprising:
- a support structure arranged to extend away from a surface of the inspection area;
- a base for disposal on the surface;
- an inspection field generator comprising an emitter and a detector for generating an inspection field, wherein the emitter is configured for emitting X-ray or gamma ray radiation and the detector is configured for detecting X-ray or gamma ray radiation, a first one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the support structure and a second one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the base;
- a ramp arranged to pivot relative to the surface between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the ramp extends away from the base for allowing a vehicle to pass over the ramp and the base through the inspection field;
- and
- a sensor disposed adjacent the ramp for detecting presence of an object on the ramp,
- wherein the first one of the emitter and the detector supported by the support structure is configured to move between a first position at a first distance from the base and a second position at a second distance from the base;
- wherein the support structure includes an upper section and a lower section, wherein the upper section is movable relative to the lower section between the first position and the second position in which a first one of the upper section and the lower section houses a part of the second one of the upper section and the lower section such that the part of the second one of the upper section and the lower section is within the first one of the upper section and the lower section;
- and
- wherein the apparatus further comprising a controller for receiving a signal corresponding to the detected object on the ramp for deactivating movement of the support structure and movement of the ramp to the stowed position.
A method of operating a portable inspection apparatus for placement in an inspection area and for inspection of vehicles, the method comprising:
- providing a support structure arranged to extend away from a surface of the inspection area;
- providing a base for disposal on the surface;
- generating an inspection field using an inspection field generator comprising an emitter and a detector for generating an inspection field, wherein the emitter is configured for emitting X-ray or gamma ray radiation and the detector is configured for detecting X-ray or gamma ray radiation, a first one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the support structure and a second one of the emitter and the detector being supported by the base;
- pivoting a ramp relative the surface between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the ramp extends away from the base for allowing a vehicle to pass over the ramp and the base through the inspection field;
- and
- moving the one of the emitter and the detector supported by the support structure between a first position at a first distance from the base and a second position at a second distance from the base, wherein moving the one of the emitter and the detector includes:
- moving an upper section of the support structure relative to a lower section of the support structure between the first position and the second position in which a first one of the upper section and the lower section houses a part of the second one of the upper section and the lower section such that the part of the second one of the upper section and the lower section is within the first one of the upper section and the lower section;
- detecting presence of an object on the ramp;
- and
- receiving a signal corresponding to the detected object on the ramp for deactivating movement of the support structure and movement of the ramp to the stowed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.