RU154042U1 - STATIONARY INSPECTION AND SURVEY COMPLEX - Google Patents

Abstract

A stationary inspection and inspection complex containing a control object placed on a linearly, uniformly and reversibly moving relative to an X-ray source (IRI) base located between the IRI with a collimator and a detector ruler in the form of a part of a circle, a control device (UE), associated with the base drive and with the first input of a computer data processing device (UKOD), the second input of which is connected to the outputs of the line detectors, and the output information is UK D from the monitor to the operator, characterized in that it additionally introduces a rigid guide in the form of a quarter-circle arc to move the IRI along it with a collimator clockwise and counterclockwise with a fixed step of 30 ° using an electric drive mounted in the same plane with with a detector ruler on the other side of the control object, and the circumference of the detector ruler allows you to record x-ray radiation in any of the four fixed positions of the radiation source (0 °, 30 °, 60 ° or 90 °) n and the guide, and the operator through the control unit with the help of a step-by-step electric drive can choose the position of IRI convenient for inspection on the guide and control the reverse movement of the base.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of introscopic technical means for non-destructive X-ray inspection of objects and can be used to detect illegal hidden investments in them, for example, drugs, weapons, etc. at customs and police checkpoints: at the border, at stations, at airports, etc. P.

A known method of single-projection scanning of objects with a fan-shaped beam of x-rays [1, p. 43-48]. This method has high control performance, provides a simple way to record x-ray images in digital form, provides maximum radiation safety for people and controlled objects, allows you to inspect bulky goods and vehicles, and also has high resolution and contrast sensitivity. Devices that implement this method [1, p. 142-147] and [2, 3], include a conveyor system (base) that provides uniform movement of the test object (OK) relative to one x-ray source (IRI), a special diaphragm (collimator) for forming a fan-shaped beam, a detector line for registration of an X-ray transmitted through the object, as well as equipment for converting X-ray radiation into a digital code and presenting the OK image to the monitor screen.

With all its advantages, devices made by this method have a significant drawback - they allow to obtain only one, moreover, a two-dimensional (flat), x-ray image of OK. Such images have low information content. This drawback does not allow the operator to qualitatively analyze the received x-ray image of OK and identify illegal hidden investments, which may lead to a violation of the Legislation.

A known method of dual projection scanning [1, p. 48-50]. A second IRI with an appropriate detector line is introduced into the installation made by this method, and the control equipment allows you to display and process two x-ray images of one object. Moreover, the radiation sources for the greatest effect should be located relative to each other at an angle of at least 60 °. This arrangement of IRI significantly increases the probability of recognition by the operator of objects located in the OK.

The disadvantages of such devices are: the ability to obtain, again, flat x-ray images; from two images, although obtained from different angles, it is not always possible to distinguish some details of the control object, i.e. they also have insufficiently high information content; from two images it is difficult to obtain a high-quality 3D image of OK; due to the presence of two radiation sources, the device as a whole becomes noticeably more complicated and becomes much more expensive.

Known inspection x-ray complex [4]. Instead of two, the complex uses one IRI moving along a rigid guide in the form of a quarter of a circle with an arbitrarily chosen step from 0 ° to 90 °. In the center of the complex is a conveyor system with an OK located on it, which moves on it uniformly, linearly and reversibly with respect to the IRI. The complex control equipment allows to obtain in digital codes flat images of the control object made at different angles (angles) of the location of the radiation source relative to the OK through a step chosen at random by the operator. In the inspection complex opposite the guide arc there is a detector ruler also in the form of a part of a circle. The length of the detector line and its location in the inspection tunnel are such that it fixes the entire x-ray beam in any position of the IRI on the guide arc.

In this complex, using just one IRI, you can get a large number of multi-angle X-ray images of OK, which greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of the inspection complex, and also significantly increases the information content of the resulting images. However, the disadvantage of the complex is that the choice of the location of the IRI on the rail is random and depends mainly on the skill of the operator.

Closest to the technical solution to the proposed utility model is the method and installation (options) for inspection of objects containing liquids [5]. In the prototype, an OK is installed on a rotating and moving up and down base located between a stationary radiation source and a device for measuring and collecting data (detector line). The control device (UC) is connected: with a radiation source (for turning it on and off), with a base drive (for moving OK accordingly), with a detector bar (for reading information and feeding it to a computer data processing device (UKOD)). The information received on the monitor is analyzed by the operator, which acts on the control device.

In the prototype, the rotation and vertical movement of the control object is carried out not at random, but with a fixed step, which allows more targeted and detailed inspection of controlled objects. In addition, the prototype allows you to obtain three-dimensional images of controlled objects, i.e. has high information content of images. However, the prototype has some disadvantages.

1. The prototype related to computed tomography settings involves obtaining a large number of images (slices) of the OK through a fixed and very small step of displacement of the object. Obviously, the total time of a full inspection of an object depends on the number of steps: the more steps, the longer the process of a full inspection of an OK. Analysis of the prototype showed that the object in it rotates 360 ° during inspection. In addition, there are corresponding displacements of the object and vertically. The result is dozens (and maybe hundreds) of steps. Such a lengthy search of OK is not always convenient and acceptable. For example, at the customs border such an inspection will lead to an inevitable substantial increase in lines, which, in turn, will cause a number of other, including state, problems.

2. For the inspection of medium-sized and, especially, large-sized objects with geometric dimensions of several meters (sometimes tens of meters, for example, railway or air containers, car trailers, road trains, etc.), in addition, having the appropriate weight (up to several tens of tons), to make such a base is problematic and not rational.

The purpose of the utility model is to reduce the time of inspection of objects of control, expanding the range of objects of control (from small to large) and the ability of the operator to quickly change the search algorithm to its full completion.

To achieve this goal it is advisable:

a) significantly reduce the number of steps to move IRI relative to OK (or vice versa - the number of steps to move OK relative to IRI) and increase the value of the step itself (without reducing the quality of inspection);

b) use a base that allows you to place and support the weight of a medium-sized or large-sized object. Such a base can be various conveyor systems, platforms with an appropriate drive for moving containers or road trains onto them, etc. Moreover, it is advisable to use not a rotating base, but only linearly moving relative to the IRI;

c) move at different angles in different directions the radiation source relative to the object of control;

d) to the operator, in an appropriate manner, depending on the conditions and tasks of the OK inspection, to promptly manage the choice of the number of steps for moving the IRI relative to the object.

This goal is achieved by the fact that in a stationary inspection and inspection complex containing a control object located on a linearly, uniformly and reversibly moving relative to the source of x-ray radiation, located between the radiation source in the same plane with the collimator and the detector line in the form of a part of a circle, controlling a device associated with the base drive and the first input of a computer data processing device, the second input of which is connected to the outputs of the detector rulers of the line, moreover, the output information of the UCOD from the monitor goes to the operator, an additional hard guide in the form of a quarter-circle arc is introduced to move the IRI along it with the collimator clockwise and counterclockwise with a fixed step of 30 ° using an electric drive, and the detector length the ruler allows you to register x-ray radiation in any of four fixed positions of the source (0 °, 30 °, 60 ° or 90 °) on the guide, and the operator through the control unit can choose the position of IRI convenient for inspection on the guide her and control the reverse movement of the base.

The following rationale for the selection of the optimal number of fixed positions of the IRI on the guide arc is proposed. It is known that to obtain a high-quality three-dimensional image of an OK, you can have only 3-4 of its flat images. In addition, the recommended angle between two radiation sources is approximately 60 ° [1, p. 49]. Then in the proposed complex for the lateral position of the IRI on the guide it will be points 0 ° and 60 °, and for the upper position of the IRI it will be points 90 ° and 30 °. From this it follows that it is advisable to choose the following four fixed positions on the guide arc: 0 °, 30 °, 60 ° and 90 °, i.e. the drive pitch in this case must also be fixed and equal to 30 °.

The principle of operation of the stationary inspection and inspection complex is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows its construction (view from the end of the complex) and the structural diagram. In FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the proposed complex on the example of inspection of a large-sized object.

The stationary inspection and inspection complex consists of a detector line 1 in the form of a part of a circle. Opposite the detector line, a rigid guide 2 is also installed in the form of an arc of a quarter circumference along which, using a reversible electric drive 3, it can be moved with a fixed pitch of 30 °, IRI 4 with a collimator (slotted diaphragm). In the center of the arc is a linearly, uniformly and reversibly moving base 5 with a control object 6 located on it. The length of the guide 2 in a quarter of a circle allows the IRI to move from 0 ° to 90 ° and back with fixation in four positions. For example, when moving clockwise: at an angle of 0 ° the source is located strictly on the side of the OK (position “1”), at an angle of 30 ° (one step) - position “2”, at an angle of 60 ° (two steps) - position “ 3 ”, at an angle of 90 ° (three steps) - position“ 4 ”. When moving counterclockwise: at an initial angle of 90 °, the radiation source is located strictly above the OK (position "4"), when moving one step - position "3", when moving two steps - position "2", when moving to three steps - position "1". The length of the detector line and its location in the complex are such that it should fix the x-ray fan in any position of the radiation source 4 on arc 2.

The operator 7, which controls the operation of the complex, is connected to a control device 8, which, in turn, is connected to a step electric drive 3, a base drive 5 and to the first input of the computer data processing device 9. The second output of the UKOD 9 is connected to the outputs of the detectors of line 1, and Operator 7 analyzes information from the UKOD monitor about the inspection of OK.

The detector line 1 consists of many elementary x-ray detectors, which are used to register the x-ray radiation transmitted through the monitoring object and convert it into an analog electrical signal (for example, voltage).

The positions of the electric drive 3 on the arc and the base 5 are recorded, for example, using the end contacts (shown in the figure), the signals from which are sent to the control unit 8.

Radiation source 4 turns on only with direct transmission of OK 6. Signals to turn the IRI on and off come, for example, from a system of light barriers (not shown in the figure). When the base 5 moves, the control object sequentially crosses the rays of light barriers, thus providing the “logic of work” of the inspection complex: turning the IRI on and off, the beginning and end of reading information from the detector line, reverse movement of the base 5, etc.

The complex works as follows.

In the initial position, IRI 4 is in position "1", ie strictly on the side of OK 6. At the command of the operator, a signal is sent from the control unit to the base 5 electric drive to start the uniform movement of the object. When the control object crosses the first beam of the light barrier, the IRI 4 is turned on and the scanning process begins. A fan-shaped x-ray beam hits the OK and crosses it along the line. A beam passing through an object, carrying information on the absorption of X-rays along this line, falls on the detector line. The width of the fan-shaped beam incident on the detector line is usually 2 ... 3 mm. The conversion of the x-ray image into an analog electrical signal at all detectors occurs simultaneously. On command from the control unit, the analog signals are sequentially converted into a digital code into a digital code. The resulting codes correspond to the intensities of the x-ray radiation along the line of the x-ray beam after passing through the OK, i.e. in UCOD in codes one column of the shadow image of the object is formed. With further movement of the object, the following sections (lines) are likewise scanned, and as a result, a two-dimensional matrix is formed in the DRC corresponding to the image of the entire object being illuminated. This image in codes, obtained at an angle of 0 °, is stored in memory. Then this two-dimensional image is displayed on the monitor and the operator proceeds to its analysis.

We can propose the following algorithm for further operator actions.

If, after analyzing the first flat image, the operator did not find in the OK, for example, forbidden hidden attachments, then the process of analyzing the X-ray image and searching the OK ends there.

If the operator has suspicions, then at his command through the control unit, the radiation source with a stepper motor moves in an arc to one of the fixed positions (“2”, “3” or “4”), for example, immediately to “4”, corresponding to 90 °. After this, a second OK scan is likewise conducted when the base 5 moves backward. If, after analyzing the second flat image, the operator did not find any hidden attachments in the OK, then the analysis and inspection process ends there.

If the operator again has suspicions, then at his command the radiation source with a stepper motor moves in an arc to another fixed position, for example, to position “2”, corresponding to 30 °. After that, the third OK scan is likewise carried out when the base moves forward again and a third flat OK image is formed on the monitor. Next, the operator again analyzes the resulting image, etc.

Viewing x-ray images of the same OK, obtained at four different angles (angles) will certainly allow you to identify all the details necessary for the operator. Increasing the number of viewing angles OK is simply not necessary.

As indicated above, from the received flat images, the UKOD can form a high-quality volumetric image of OK. It should be noted that modern information processing equipment can operate according to an algorithm that allows obtaining a three-dimensional image of not only OK, but only some of its parts, which aroused suspicion among the operator. Obviously, as a result of such operations with the control object, the operator is likely to conduct a correct analysis of his X-ray image.

As mentioned above, the total time for a full inspection of the OK depends on the number of steps to shift the OK relative to the IRI (or vice versa). In the proposed complex, the number of steps can be only one to three. It is known that the time of one scan even of a large-sized object takes only about 1 minute. This means that the total inspection time of any OK will be significantly less compared to the prototype.

Placement of IRI on the guide in the form of a part of a circle and its movement along it made it possible to use such bases that make it possible to install any objects of control in their overall dimensions and weight.

Thus, the proposed stationary inspection and inspection complex has:

- high information content of x-ray images;

- a relatively simple technical solution;

- a sufficiently short time for the inspection of any OK;

- wide functionality, i.e. allows you to control OK, significantly different from each other weight and size parameters.

Information sources

1. Koshelev V.E. X-ray methods and technical means of customs control: a Training manual. - M .: Binom-Press LLC, 2003.

2. Radiographic installation of the scanning type (options). RF patent for the invention No. 2257639, 2005.

3. Complex radiographic inspection. RF patent for the invention No. 2256905, 2005.

4. Inspection x-ray complex. RF patent for the invention No. 2497104, 2013.

5. The method and installation (options) for the inspection of objects containing liquids. RF patent for the invention No. 2445609, 2012 (prototype).

Claims (1)

A stationary inspection and inspection complex containing a control object located on a linearly, uniformly and reversibly moving relative to an X-ray source (IRI) base located between the IRI with a collimator and a detector ruler in the form of a part of a circle, a control device (UE), associated with the base drive and with the first input of a computer data processing device (UKOD), the second input of which is connected to the outputs of the line detectors, and the output information is UK D from the monitor to the operator, characterized in that it additionally introduces a rigid guide in the form of a quarter-circle arc to move the IRI along it with a collimator clockwise and counterclockwise with a fixed step of 30 ° using an electric drive mounted in the same plane with with a detector ruler on the other side of the control object, and the circumference of the detector ruler allows you to record x-ray radiation in any of the four fixed positions of the radiation source (0 °, 30 °, 60 ° or 90 °) n and the guide, and the operator through the control unit with the help of a step-by-step electric drive can choose the position of IRI convenient for inspection on the guide and control the reverse movement of the base.

Images