X-Ray Inspection Trailer

Abstract

An inspection system, and inspection methods, based upon an imaging enclosure characterized by an enclosing body. A source of penetrating radiation and a detector module are concealed entirely within the body of a conveyance such as a trailer. A characterizing value or an image is formed with respect to an inspected object that is disposed entirely outside the conveyance and the characterizing value or image is made available to a remotely disposed operator. Additional detectors may be disposed distally to the inspected object and may detect transmitted, or forward-scattered, penetrating radiation.

1 . A method for employing penetrating radiation to inspect an object, the method comprising:
 a. generating a beam of penetrating radiation originating entirely within the body of a conveyance;   b. scanning the penetrating radiation across the object, the object disposed entirely outside the body of the conveyance;   c. detecting penetrating radiation scattered by the object into the body of the conveyance by means of a detector module concealed within the body of the conveyance and generating a backscatter signal; and   d. transmitting a value of a specified characteristic of the object to an operator disposed remotely to the conveyance, the value based at least in part on the backscatter signal.   
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the object is disposed upon a body of a person. 
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming an image of the object based at least in part on the backscatter signal.   
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a signal based on detection of any penetrating radiation naturally emitted by the object.   
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting penetrating radiation scattered by the object into the forward-scatter detector and generating a forward-scatter signal.   
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the step of transmitting a value of a specified characteristic of the object to an operator disposed remotely to the conveyance includes transmitting a value based at least on both the backscatter signal and the forward-scatter signal. 
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising transmitting a value of a distinct characteristic of the object based at least on the forward-scatter signal. 
   
   
       8 . An inspection system for inspection of an object by a remotely disposed operator, the system comprising:
 a. a first conveyance characterized by an enclosing body;   b. a source of penetrating radiation contained entirely within the enclosing body for generating a beam of penetrating radiation incident upon the object;   c. a detector module, contained entirely within the enclosing body, for generating a signal based upon penetrating radiation scattered by the object; and   d. an image generator for converting the signal to an image of the object for viewing by the remotely disposed operator.   
   
   
       9 . An inspection system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the first conveyance is a trailer. 
   
   
       10 . An inspection system in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising an operator console for operation by an operator remotely disposed within a separate module coupled to the first conveyance. 
   
   
       11 . An inspection system in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising a forward-scatter detector disposed entirely outside the first conveyance. 
   
   
       12 . An inspection system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the forward-scatter detector is coupled to a second conveyance.