US5224144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reduced mass flying spot scanner having arcuate scanning lines
Assignee: American Science and Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-12
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating image information for objects inspect with penetrating radiation which utilizes a flying spot scanner of reduced mass. Objects are scanned with penetrating radiation along curved scan lines. The flying spot scanner which effects such scanning has a stationary absorber plate having a fixed slit in it which is curved, as well as a chopper wheel having radially oriented slits. As the chopper wheel rotates, the radially oriented slits traverse the projection of the radiation passing through the fixed slit, and because this slit is curved, the radial slits may be of reduced length, and the chopper wheel may be of reduced mass. The detected radiant energy is divided into pixels, and the pixels are addressed to a utilization means such as a memory or a display in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of the object define a curved line in the utilization means which has the same shape as the curved scanning line.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Annis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/04; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/02; G21K1/04; G21K1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiation comprising, scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along arcuate lines, detecting said radiant energy after interaction with said object, and as a result of said detecting, forming a detection signal, producing pixels from said detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of said object define an arcuate line in the utilization means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiation comprising, scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along arcuate lines, detecting said radiant energy after interaction with said object, and as a result of said detecting, forming a detection signal, producing pixels from said detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of said object define an arcuate line in the utilization means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said utilization means comprises a memory.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of claim wherein said utilization means comprises a display device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiant energy, comprising, means for scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along arcuate lines, radiant energy detecting means for receiving said radiant energy after interaction with said object and providing at least one detection signal, means for producing pixels from at least one detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and means for feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiant energy, comprising, means for scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along arcuate lines, radiant energy detecting means for receiving said radiant energy after interaction with said object and providing at least one detection signal, means for producing pixels from at least one detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and means for feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for feeding said pixels or signals derived therefrom to a utilization means comprises means for feeding said utilization means in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of said object define an arcuate line in said utilization means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said radiant energy detecting means comprises a transmission detector having a shape which corresponds to said arcuate lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said radiant energy detecting means comprises a detector of scattered radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for scanning said object with a flying spot of radiant energy comprises a source of penetrating radiation, an absorber plate having a fixed slit in the shape of an arc, and an absorbing chopper wheel having at least one radially oriented slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for scanning said object with a flying spot of radiant energy further comprises means for effecting relative translation movement between said and object and said fixed slit in said absorber plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said utilization means comprises a storage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said utilization means comprises a display means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for scanning a object with penetrating radiation, comprising, a source of penetrating radiation, an absorber plate having a fixed, arcuate slit therein, a chopper wheel made in part of radiation absorbing material, the chopper wheel having at least one radially oriented slit therein, the source of penetrating radiation, the absorber plate, and the chopper wheel being positioned with respect to each other so that radiation from the source passes through the fixed slit in the absorber plate and is incident upon the chopper wheel, and means for rotating the chopper wheel.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for scanning a object with penetrating radiation, comprising, a source of penetrating radiation, an absorber plate having a fixed, arcuate slit therein, a chopper wheel made in part of radiation absorbing material, the chopper wheel having at least one radially oriented slit therein, the source of penetrating radiation, the absorber plate, and the chopper wheel being positioned with respect to each other so that radiation from the source passes through the fixed slit in the absorber plate and is incident upon the chopper wheel, and means for rotating the chopper wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the chopper wheel has an annular ring shaped portion of radiation absorbing material, and the radial slits are in such portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the radiation from the source which passes through the fixed slit in the absorber plate is projected substantially wholly upon the annular ring shaped absorbing portion of the chopper wheel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for effecting relative translation motion between said object and said fixed slit in said absorber plate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiation comprising, scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along curved scanning lines, detecting said radiant energy after interaction with said object, and as a result of said detecting, forming a detection signal, producing pixels from said detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of said object define a curved line in said utilization means which has the same shape as said curved scanning lines.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of creating image information corresponding to an object which is inspected with penetrating radiation comprising, scanning said object with a flying spot of penetrating radiant energy along curved scanning lines, detecting said radiant energy after interaction with said object, and as a result of said detecting, forming a detection signal, producing pixels from said detection signal, wherein each pixel corresponds to an elementary frontal area of the object, and feeding said pixels, or signals derived therefrom, to a utilization means in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of said object define a curved line in said utilization means which has the same shape as said curved scanning lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4179100A
Cited
US5022062A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |