Low-angle self-swinging, large-scale multi-slice spiral computed tomography apparatus and inspection method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a low-angle self-swinging type computed tomography (CT) apparatus, which is provided with an X-ray accelerator and a plurality of rows of detectors and is configured to include a slip ring, such that the slip ring with the accelerator and the detectors thereon is capable of performing a single-pendulum reciprocating movement while an objected to be inspected passes through the slip ring, a three dimension CT image of the object is displayed, thereby achieving accurate inspection for large-scale objects, such as van containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A low-angle self-swinging type computed tomography apparatus, comprising:
 an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays towards an object to be inspected;   a data acquisition sub-system configured to collect signals of the X-rays passing through the object for inspection;   a swinging support device, on which the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system are arranged and spaced from each other, wherein the swinging support device is configured to be able to reciprocate in a swinging way with the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system carried thereon while the object to be inspected is located in or passing through an inspecting region between the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system.   
     
     
         2 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating movement of the pendulous support device is a single-pendulum reciprocating movement achieved under offset of the center of gravity of the swinging support device. 
     
     
         3 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the swing support device is configured to move at a constant velocity during most of its travel except for two end-regions of the travel. 
     
     
         4 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the swinging support device is a slip ring, and the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system are arrange on a circumference of the slip ring and located opposite to each other with respect to a center of the slip ring. 
     
     
         5 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the swinging support device has a maximum swinging amplitude of no more than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the X-ray generator includes a large-power X-ray accelerator. 
     
     
         7 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the X-ray generator is configured to provide an X-ray beam in a cone or sector shape. 
     
     
         8 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition sub-system comprises a plurality of rows of detectors. 
     
     
         9 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier configured to carry the object to be inspected to pass through the inspecting region defined by the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system. 
     
     
         10 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the carrier is configured to be linearly movable in two directions, including an up-down direction and a fore-and-aft direction. 
     
     
         11 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control subsystem configured to control the movement of the swinging support device and operations of the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system. 
     
     
         12 . The computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a data processing sub-system configured to process a projection data collected by the data acquisition sub-system to reconstruct a three dimension image of the object. 
     
     
         13 . An inspection method using the computed tomography apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 emitting X-rays by using the X-ray generator and collecting signals of the X-rays by the data acquisition sub-system for inspection, while operating the swinging support device such that the X-ray generator and the data acquisition sub-system reciprocate in a swinging way together with the swinging support device.