Abstract:
A method, apparatus and a system for x-ray inspection of cars is described. The apparatus comprises of a concrete facility that houses a concrete enclosure, multiple x-ray sources and a conveyor belt. The system is automated to deliver the alerts if the scanned cars, vehicles contain materials that are prohibited. The method, apparatus and system is able to detect organic vs inorganic matters. Specific beam strength and the distance between the vehicles make this technology more accurate and automated for security screening for large number of vehicles.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to the pending PCT application PCT/US14/43751 files on 24 Jun. 2014. The contents of PCT/US14/43751 are hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties for all of its teachings. 
     
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to a method, apparatus and system to inspect vehicle automatically. More specifically it enables to automatically perform an inspection of vehicle using high energy x-ray source from multiple dimensions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Worldwide trade and movements of goods via sea, land and vehicular traffic poses a technical challenge to inspect the contents in an efficient, secure and faster way. Carver et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,580) describes a relocatable x-ray imaging system. The x-ray system is fixed on the top and low energy x-rays are used for scanning the objects. There are several other drawbacks such as a rolling conveyor belt system to move the vehicles, horizontal leveling essential for proper performance, weakness of x-ray penetration capacity due to low energy being used, and radiation exposure to the users. Due to low energy x-ray usage the inspection has to be done manually as well. To overcome these shortcomings there is a need for superior and automated inspection system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The current disclosure discloses a method, apparatus and system for inspection of cars automatically using x-ray. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprising of a concrete enclosure having a specific conveyor belt to move a motorized vehicle or an object at a specific speed for security inspection; and a x-ray beam source mounted at a side and on a roof in the concrete enclosure is directed to discharge the x-ray beam at the motorized vehicle or an object at a specific angle, a specific direction and a specific range in an enclosed housing to detect a specific object, material or a contraband that is a security threat is disclosed. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a method to inspect the cars, vans etc. is disclosed. A method comprising of passing a motorized vehicle under a concrete housing equipped with a x-ray apparatus to screen for an organic or an inorganic matter present in the motorized vehicle or an object that is prohibited by law enforcement to be carried out; and activating the x-ray apparatus at a specific range to penetrate a specific thickness of the motorized vehicle to detect the organic or inorganic material present in the motorized vehicle. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the specific conveyer belt is made of rubber and enhanced steel having two longitudinal sections that is 5 mm apart to allow the x-ray to pass through them. The motorized vehicle is at least one of a car and a truck. The specific speed of the object or the car moving is between 0.1 m to 0.3 m/sec, wherein the specific speed, in one specific embodiment, is 0.2 m/sec. In another embodiment, the specific range for the x-ray beam is between 3.8 MeV to 6 MeV. In one embodiment, the specific thickness of the motorized vehicle or the object may be between 0-240 mm. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the apparatus, system and method provides the automated inspection of organic matter and inorganic matter differentiation. This would be useful to detect contrabands in cars and other vehicles or closed and sealed parcels. 
         [0008]    The apparatus, method and system has dual x-ray beam source. The first x-ray beam source is mounted on the side of the building and on the second x-ray beam source is on the roof. The x-ray beams are delivered at a specific angle so that both the beams intersect and a full scan of the object is performed. In one embodiment, a conveyor belt is used to move the cars smoothly through the inspection method and reduce radiation exposure to the individuals. In another embodiment, a detector is located to capture the passing x-ray beam from the x-ray beam sources. The detector may be located under the conveyor belt as well. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a system to scan the license plate as soon as the car reaches the entry point to capture it. The information about the license plate is updated on the system and verified. Once the method of scanning using x-ray beams are completed then the entire data is stored in the database for that particular security scan. 
         [0010]    The method, system and apparatus disclosed herein may be implemented in any means for achieving various aspects, and may be executed in a form suitable for inspecting an object. Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a method of performing the steps for the inspection of vehicles. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows concrete enclosure to conduct the inspection for the vehicle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows how rows of vehicles may enter and exit the inspection facility. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows the top view of the inspection facility made of concrete enclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows the cross section of the concrete enclosure facility. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows the aerial view of the concrete enclosure and facility. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows the expanded view of the top angle of the x-ray&#39;s being projected on the object. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows the top view of two x-ray equipment&#39;s in the concrete enclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Several methods, apparatus and system for inspecting cars for unfavorable items automatically are described herein. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a method of performing the steps for the inspection of vehicle. In one embodiment, a method is described to the entry of the vehicle for inspection  102  is observed by the inspector at the entry room of the concrete enclosure. The license plate information is captured using a video camera to collect data about the vehicle and the ownership. Once the method is performed and the car is cleared for entry. The conveyor belt is started  104  for the vehicle or the object to move forward. If the object that needs to be scanned does not have a license plate the bar codes or any other identification process is used for authenticated first before the object scan is started. The conveyor belt may accommodate a vehicle weight up to 5 tons. Once the object or vehicle reaches the center of the facility the X-ray machine is activated  108  and the lateral scan and the vertical scan of the object or the vehicle is performed  106 . Based on the image produced the object is either passed the security check or failed the security check  110 . If the conclusion is that it has passed the security check then the object or vehicle proceeds to exit  112 . If there is any suspicion and has not passed the security check then the vehicle goes over to another enclosure for further physical inspection  114 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows the entire concrete enclosure for inspecting a vehicle. A car  200 , for example, approaches the concrete enclosure gate  203 . A picture of the license plate of the car  200  is taken from the camera  201 . The inspector in the entry room  202  waits for the system to update him about the details of the car. The system now also ties the information about the security check to the car  200  and the person that owns it. There might be a history of security checks and if there are any flags then the inspector may consider not letting them in. There may be other means of scanning the car such as vehicle identification number, bar code, package number and license plate numbers to further determine the legitimacy of the vehicle. These sorts of installations may be present in front of dignitary houses, large hotel, important gathering places, huge assembly of people such as concerts, games etc. The method, system and apparatus may also be used at the ports, airports, railway good station and any other good transportation areas. The apparatus comprises of a concrete enclosure, vehicle identification mechanism, conveyor belt, two x-ray sources covering All the sides of the car that needs scanning, image analysis computers, x-ray detectors, and equipment&#39;s to protect personal to prevent radiation exposure. The method is described as part of the  FIG. 1  description. 
         [0024]    Once the car reaches an entry point  206  it will move on conveyor belt  204  inside the concrete tunnel which has thick concrete walls  207 . The top x-ray beam source is housed on the roof  208 . The side x-ray beam source is housed on the concrete enclosure  214 . The Inspectors are working in the image analysis room  218 . The folks who are travelling in the vehicle may be asked to use the side walk  620 .  FIG. 2  shows that cars are continually being screened in one line. Car in position  210  has already passed inspection and proceeding to exit  112  by opening the gate  212 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the concrete facility and enclosure. The cars are moving on the conveyor belt  216 . One of the cars are has a cargo on top  306 . Once the car reaches the scanning point the top x-ray beam source  208  and the side x-ray beam source  214  will activate and the two detectors would capture the output for further analysis. Once all the procedure is completed before the vehicle/car reaches the exit point  308  it would be decided if the car needs further physical scrutiny otherwise it will be allowed to get out of the enclosure having a cleared pass permit. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows an aerial view of the concrete facility and enclosure. Car  200  enters the gate after the license plate and back ground check on conveyor belt  216  (Not written in  FIG. 4  drawing). This particular figure shows the concrete enclosure that houses x-ray beam source  208  and the side beam x-ray source  214  in a secure building so that the personal don&#39;t get radiation exposure while the car is being inspected. Once the radiation inspection of the car  200  is finished at position  210  goes for either manual inspection or is cleared to exit. The system is tied to the method of security inspection of the car. The data from the entry point such as the car identification, owner information, paper connected with passage (such an invitation, customs form for the list of goods etc.) are correlated in a database using a wireless network and is displayed on the inspectors computer. Once the inspection is done the time and a date stamp are attached and the image of the inspection is linked to the vehicle. If there is any suspicion then the authorities are alerted automatically. The radiation levels are constantly monitored so that the cumulative exposure for the personal is monitored strictly. The data accumulated may be shared with all the pertinent departments such as security, police, customs, national security etc. Alerts of security breach may also be automated instead of manual entry. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows an important cross section of the concrete enclosure facility. It shows how top angle of the x-ray being projected on the object. The top x-ray beam source  208  when emits the beam at 40 degree angle ( 508 ) producing the  504  width to cover the entire car  206  or object from top to bottom. The concrete enclosure has a thick wall such as concrete outer enclosure  502  and the L shape detector  512  to gather the emitted x-ray beams from the side x-ray beam source  506 . The beams from the top are recorded by the detector  514 . The signal from the detector  514  is recorded and analyzed to approve the object or car to be clear or for further inspection. The beam angle ( 510 ) for the side x-ray beam device is at 60 degree angle. These specific angles enable the method, system and apparatus to function efficiently, accurately and sensitively to collect the scan data for the car without missing any sections. 
         [0028]    The rays angle emitted from the upper source is 40 degrees because the detector located under the conveyor belt is shorter than from the front of the detector and the source of the side which has a breakthrough 60 degree because the detector is two parts horizontal and vertical and he had installed diagonally in order to penetrate the emitted x-rays. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the aerial view of the concrete enclosure. The conveyor belt  622  is made up of rubber and the structure is further enhanced by steel. The conveyor belt comprises of two detachable sections so that the main movement of the system of the vehicle transport system to the x-ray detection tunnel frame sequentially one after another then to be pushed out after the end of the inspection method. Such aconveyor mechanism may be operated by motors which enhance the rotation of the conveyor continuously and sequentially, there is a longitudinal vacuum  604  between two conveyor belts at 5 mm which enable penetrating the x-ray to the detectors made of the Cadmium tungstate substance which is located below the aforementioned longitudinal vacuum, the penetrative x-ray detectors shall belocated between the two conveyor belts while there are two penetrative x-ray sources rated from 3.8 MeV to 6 MeV. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  discloses more details of the two x-ray beam sources and their angles. The first source  708  is mounted next to the left side detection tunnel whereas the related detectors will be at the opposite side, part of these detectors shall be under the detection tunnel roof in inverted L shaped  710 . The other source shall be mounted at the roof  208  whereas the x-ray will be vertically downward penetrating the car structure toward the detectors  712  which are mounted on the ground and below the longitudinal vacuum. This invention shall overcome the difficulties and the drawbacks which affected the previous systems whereas the source energy is increased (between 3.8 to 6 MeV) to get a deeper penetration up to (240 mm for the solid steel), so that one can get a clear image; Besides, there is aside source to provide aside vision of the car contents and because of the high energy of the both x-ray sources, we can get the organic and non-organic materials distinguishing, also the conveyor belt design shows that there is a one continuous direction with fixed speed which increase the throughput of the cars to be detected. Therefore, this invention shall increase the overall throughput and saving the manpower efforts along with getting clear images from the top and the side and inspecting the vehicle without the need of the physical inspection or taking off the contents because if the penetrative ability. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 8  the x-ray cars detection system according to concept of this invention which is completely shown in  FIG. 7  it comprises of complete system of buildings, technical equipment and the technology, whereas the detection method shall start at the time of directing the car with its passengers to get into the detection system  624 , the driver shall stop at the entry room  618  to acquire the information through a camera mounted at the entry which capture that plate no. and to be sent to the computer connected to the information center to display the information about the driver and the car on the dedicated screen for the observer, and to raise the barrier. The vehicle or car after it gets on the conveyor belt  622  then the passengers shall leave the car and walk through a safe passage  620 , the observer will control the car to get into the detection tunnel  620  which comprise of concrete building made up of a substance which prevents the x-ray leakage. The operation of the x-ray beam source from the top source  208  and side source  506  is started which penetrates the car body from the top to the bottom and then to be receive by the detectors fixed under the longitudinal vacuum  808  in a synchronous way to penetrate the car body from the left side horizontally upward to be received by the detectors fixed on the holder at the opposite side and at the upper side of the detection tunnel. In case if there is a suspected contraband in the car during the image analysis then the observer shall print information via the printer at the exit room  616 .  FIG. 6  shows the wall details such as  606  being the outer most walls that extend to  602 ,  614  and  806  in  FIG. 8 . The further the wall from the x-ray beam device the thinner it is. The top x-ray beam device has an enclosure  612 . And the supporting beams to keep that in place are  608 . The top x-ray beam device has an aperture  812  and side device has  810  that may be used for repairing the devices if necessary. The pulley system  814  helps position the x-ray beam source for the correct position on the top. The parallel beam  808  provides structural integrity for the top x-ray beam source. 
         [0032]    Rubbery Conveyor Belt which is enhanced by the steel bars and electrical motors in the terminals has the ability to stand a car at 5 tons weight and to be transported into the inspection tunnel. Comprises of two separated main sections with a small hole between which guarantee the penetration of the x-ray to the fixed detectors below the longitudinal vacuum which can detect the x-ray penetrated the car body and emitted downward so that there is no objects which prevent the x-ray penetrations of the car to be detected and to provide a clear image of the car and its contents. 
         [0033]    There is a conveyor belt which moves in one direction continuously at fixed speed 0.2 m/sec which enhance the flexibility of the flow of the cars to be detected without any need to return back the conveyor to the system entry to hold the next car. A conveyor belt which comprises of many sections whereas each section can be controlled with respect to speed separately. 
         [0034]    In addition, it will be appreciated that the various apparatuses, method and system disclosed herein may be embodied using means for achieving the various combinations of scanning various objects, vehicles, motorized vehicle and other transported goods for security inspection in a fast and efficient way. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.