Patent ID: 6628750
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: G21K

Abstract:
A product irradiation system comprising:a shielded room; a means for conveying a plurality of products concurrently through the shielded room; a plurality of scan horns, at least one scan horn positioned for directing radiation into products conveyed on a corresponding conveyer; an electron accelerator means for accelerating electrons to concurrently create a plurality of accelerated electron beams of different kinetic energies, the electron accelerator means including: a means for accelerating electrons to a first level of kinetic energy, a means for accelerating the first kinetic energy electrons to a second level of kinetic energy, a means for accelerating the second kinetic energy electrons to a third level of kinetic energy, a means for cyclically discharging pulses of beams of the first, second, and third levels of kinetic energy electrons; a control means for directing the first, second, and third kinetic energy electron beams among the scan horns, such that each scan horn irradiates products with electrons of a one of the first, second, and third kinetic energies.