Abstract:
The present invention relates to an adjusting positioner for a radiation device, comprising: a clamping device detachably connected to the radiation device to clamp said radiation device; a supporter to which said clamping device is connected and a slide path is defined therebetween, wherein the clamping device clamping said radiation device is movable along said slide path in a predetermined direction; and an adjusting device coupled with said clamping device so as to drive said clamping device to move along said slide path. Since the present invention employs above technical solution, it is easy to adjust the position of the radiation device for example, X-ray device, so that the precisely positioning for the radiation device is achieved and a satisfying positioning accuracy is able to obtain.

Description:
The present application claims priority of Chinese patent application Serial No. 200810114814.2, filed Jun. 12, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a radiation detecting technical field, particularly, to a CT security inspection system, more particularly, to a radiation device for a CT security inspection system apparatus, for example, an adjusting positioner for an X-ray device. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Presently, in the prior art which relates to the CT security inspection system generally comprises an X-ray device serving as a radiation source. The X-ray device emits the X-ray beam to scan the object to be inspected in the CT scanning channel. However, in the prior art, the device for fixing the X-ray device is not easy to adjust and the precision of the adjusting is poor. Also, since the collimator and the X-ray device are disposed separately, the conformability of the adjusting is bad and the structure of adjusting positioner for the X-ray device is caused to be large. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is aimed to solve at least one aspect of above problems and defects existing in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting positioner for a radiation device, which is easy to adjust the position of the radiation device and has a satisfying adjusting precision. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting positioner for a radiation device, which is integrated with a collimator, so that the consistency of adjustment in the positions of the collimator and the radiation device are ensured and the structure thereof is compact. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjusting positioner for a radiation device, comprising: a clamping device detachably connected to the radiation device to clamp said radiation device; a supporter to which said clamping device is connected and a slide path is defined therebetween, wherein the clamping device clamping said radiation device is movable along said slide path in a predetermined direction; and an adjusting device coupled with said clamping device so as to drive said clamping device to move along said slide path. 
     In one embodiment, a first threaded portion is provided on said clamping device; and said adjusting device includes an adjusting screw mounted to the supporter, said adjusting screw has a second threaded portion, said first threaded portion on the clamping device is fitted with the second threaded portion of the adjusting screw to drive said clamping device to move along said slide path. 
     Preferably, said clamping device comprises a first cambered plate portion and a second cambered plate portion, said first and second cambered plate portions are securely fitted with each other so as to clamp said radiation device therebetween. 
     Furthermore, said first and second cambered plate portions respectively includes an arched portion and wing portions extending outwardly from two ends of said arched portion; said slide path is configured by a slid rail and a slide slot, said slid rail being disposed at an end surface of said wing portion provided on one of the first and second cambered plate portions, and said slide slot being provided on said supporter and fitted with said slide rail. 
     Further preferably, a first boss is provided on the first cambered plate portion, said first threaded portion is provided in the first boss; the supporter is provided with an upper and lower bosses having holes, said adjusting screw passes through said hole of the upper boss, said first threaded portion and said hole of the lower boss, and is restricted between the upper and lower bosses and rotatable about an axis of the adjusting screw. 
     In one embodiment, a second boss is formed on the arched portion of the second cambered plate portion, said second boss is formed therein with a boss opening through which the X-ray passes; said radiation device includes a beam outlet; said beam outlet is aligned with the boss opening in the second boss. 
     In one embodiment, said wing portion of any one of said first and second cambered plate portions is provided with a vertical elongate hole, said supporter is provided with a corresponding screw hole, when the radiation device is adjusted to a desired position, a fastening screw passes through the elongate hole and said screw hole so as to fix said radiation device with respect to said supporter. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting positioner further comprises a collimator shaped in substantial sectorial box, said sectorial box including a wide end and a narrow end, wherein said narrow end of the sectorial box is formed with a third boss formed with a boss opening through which the X-ray passes; said third boss and the second boss are securely fitted with each other so that the boss opening in the second boss is aligned with the boss opening in the third boss. 
     Preferably, a horizontal position limiting rule is disposed at the lower end of the second boss, the vertical height from the boss opening in the second boss to said horizontal position limiting rule is equal to the vertical height from the beam outlet of the radiation device to the bottom of the radiation device, so that the boss opening of the second boss and the beam outlet of the radiation device are located at the same level when the bottom of the radiation comes into contact with the horizontal position limiting rule. 
     Preferably, the wide end of the sectorial box is formed with a horizontal long slot through which the radiation passes, said horizontal long slot is aligned with the beam outlet of the radiation device, boss openings of the second and third bosses. 
     Furthermore, said sectorial box is made of material preventing the radiation from penetrating therethrough or lined with material preventing the radiation from penetrating therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, a groove is provided on each side of the long slot at said wide end of the sectorial box, said groove is internally formed at an inner wall thereof with a vertical slot through which the radiation passes. 
     Furthermore, a circuit board having a detector is installed within said groove. 
     Further preferably, said first threaded portion is a threaded hole provided in the first boss. 
     In one embodiment, said second cambered plate portion is lined with material preventing the radiation from penetrating therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, an opening is formed between said upper and lower bosses; and said first boss passes through said opening to fit with said adjusting screw. 
     Since the present invention employs the above technical solution, it is easy to adjust the position of the radiation device for example, X-ray device, so that the precise positioning of the radiation device is achieved and a satisfying positioning accuracy is able to be obtained. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the collimator is integrated with the radiation device, so that the defect of complex and fussy adjustments required for the separate radiation device and collimator in the prior art is avoided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjusting positioner for a X-ray device combined with a collimator of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 1A  is a schematic view showing the adjusting positioner for the X-ray device combined with the collimator,  FIG. 1B  is a view taken in the A direction in  FIG. 1A  which shows the adjusting positioner for the X-ray device; 
         FIG. 2  is an explored perspective view of the adjusting positioner for the X-ray device combined with the collimator of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a semicircular clamping plate having short wing portions of a clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a semicircular clamping plate having long wing portions of the clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a supporter according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 5A  is a schematic view showing a front side of the supporter,  FIG. 5B  is a schematic view showing rear side of the supporter; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a sector-shaped collimator according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing the side where the boss  52 ′ of the sector-shaped collimator is provided, and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view showing the side of the wide end  71  of the sector-shaped collimator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout the specification. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     Refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an adjusting positioner  100  for an X-ray device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an adjusting screw  10  as an adjusting device; a supporter  20 ; an X-ray device  40  as a radiation device; a clamping device composed of a semicircular clamping plate  30  and a semicircular clamping plate  50 . The clamping device composed of the semicircular clamping plate  30  and the semicircular clamping plate  50  are detachably connected to the X-ray device  40  through for example, a bolt and a nut, to clamp the X-ray device  40 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 2 , the X-ray device  40  has a substantially cylindrical shape, and comprises a high voltage power source  42  for supplying power to the X-ray device; a bulb tube  43  for generating an X-ray radiation, and a beam outlet  41  for emitting the X-ray radiation to the exterior. 
     Refer to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the supporter has a substantial L-shaped frame shape, which has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion is supported on for example, a floor surface, to serve as a base of the adjusting positioner  100  for the X-ray device; in  FIG. 2 , a projection of the vertical portion on a horizontal plane has a substantial C-shape. The front surface of the C-shaped vertical portion is provided with an upper and lower bosses  22  and  22 ′ horizontally extending therefrom (especially referring to the left side of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5B ). A quadrate opening  23  passing through the vertical portion is provided between the upper and lower bosses  22  and  22 ′. Refer to  FIG. 5B , the upper and lower bosses  22  and  22 ′ are provided with holes  25  and  25 ′ respectively. Refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5A , the opposing sides of the rear end surface (referring to right side of  FIG. 2 ) of the C-shaped vertical portion are provided with a vertical guiding slide slot  21 , respectively. 
     Refer to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the clamping device is composed of a semicircular clamping plate  30  with short wing portions and a semicircular clamping plate  50  having long wing portions and a stage. Each of the semicircular clamping plates  30  and  50  comprises a cambered portion and wing portions extending outwardly from two ends of the cambered portion. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the wing portions of the semicircular clamping plate  50  are longer than those of the semicircular clamping plate  30 . Refer to  FIG. 3 , a boss  31  extending horizontally is provided on one side of the cambered portion of the semicircular clamping plate  30 , and a threaded hole  32  is provided in the boss  31 . In the assembly process, the boss  31  of the semicircular clamping plate  30  extends through the quadrate opening  23  of the vertical portion of the supporter  20 . Refer to  FIG. 4 , a slide rail  51  is provided at each of end surfaces of the long wing portions of the semicircular clamping plate  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slide rails  51  at the long wing portions extending from the semicircular clamping plates  30  and  50  are embedded in the vertical guiding slide slots  21  of the supporter  20 , respectively. Thereby, the clamping device is connected to the supporter  20  and one sliding path defined by both the slide rails  51  and the vertical guiding slide slots  21  is defined between the clamping device and the supporter  20 . Therefore, the clamping device clamping the X-ray device  40  is able to move along the sliding path in a vertical direction. Although in the above embodiment, the slide rails  51  are provided on the end surfaces of the wing portions of the semicircular clamping plate  50 , the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the slide rails may be provided on the end surfaces of the wing portions of the semicircular clamping plate  30 . 
     Refer to  FIGS. 1B and 2 , the adjusting screw  10  as the adjusting device is provided with a threaded portion thereon, and passes through the hole  25  in the upper boss  22 , the threaded hole  32  in the boss  31  passing through the quadrate opening  23  of the vertical portion of the supporter  20 , and the hole  25 ′ of the lower boss  22 ′. The adjusting screw  10  is restricted between the upper and lower bosses  22  and  22 ′ and is rotatable about an axis thereof. At the same time, the threaded portion of the adjusting screw  10  is fitted with the threaded hole  32  in the boss  31  so as to drive the clamping device to move along the sliding path. Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the adjusting device further comprises a locating washer  11 , which is used for restricting the adjusting screw  10  between the upper boss  22  and the lower boss  22 ′ after the adjusting screw  10  passes through the hole  25  of the upper boss  22 , the threaded hole  32  in the boss  31  and the hole  25 ′ of the lower boss  22 ′. Alternatively, the washer  11  can be replaced with other locating devices, for example, a locating clip. 
     Furthermore, vertical elongate holes  54  are provided on the wing portions of the semicircular clamping plate  50 ; and meanwhile, screw holes  33  corresponding to the vertical elongate holes  54  of the semicircular clamping plate  50  are provided in the supporter  20 . After the X-ray device  40  moves to the desired location through the clamping device, fastening screws pass through the vertical elongate holes  54  of the semicircular clamping plate  50  and the screw holes  33  provided in the supporter  20  such that the X-ray device  40  is fixed in the vertical direction with respect to the supporter. When the X-ray device  40  is required to re-adjust, the fastening screw is unscrewed from the screw hole  33 . Therefore, when the adjusting screw  10  drives the clamping device clamping the X-ray device  40  to move along the slide path, the fastening screws are synchronously moved within the vertical elongate holes  54  in the vertical direction as shown in  FIG. 2 . Although in the above description, the X-ray  40  is fixed against the supporter  20  by means of the screws and the screw holes  33  provided in the supporter  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Apparently, the present invention may employ other alternative embodiments, for example, the engagement of the bolt and the nut. 
     Refer to  FIG. 4 , an arched section of the semicircular clamping plate  50  is formed with a second boss  52  in which a boss opening  53  for allowing the X-ray to pass therethrough is formed. At the same time, the X-ray device  40  comprises a beam outlet  41 . In use, the beam outlet  41  is aligned with the boss opening  53  in the second boss  52 . Refer to  FIG. 2 , in the present invention, terminology “be aligned or alignment” means that the horizontal central line of the beam outlet  41  and the horizontal central line of the boss opening  53  in the second boss  52  are located at the same level. In one embodiment, the inside of the semicircular clamping plate  50  is lined with a material preventing the radiation from penetrating therethrough, so that the radiation is prevented from leaking to the external environment. 
     Refer to  FIG. 2 , one horizontal position limiting rule  60  is provided at the lower end of the second boss  52 , the horizontal position limiting rule  60  is bent in an L shape, and connected to the lower end of the second boss  52  through for example, a screw. The vertical height from the boss opening  53  of the second boss  52  to the horizontal position limiting rule  60  is equal to the vertical height L between the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device and the bottom of the X-ray device, so that the boss opening  53  of the second boss  52  and the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device  40  are located at the same level when the bottom of the X-ray device come in contact with the horizontal position limiting rule  60 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting positioner  100  for the X-ray device further comprises: a collimator  70  shaped in substantial sectorial box having a wide end and a narrow end. Refer to  FIG. 6A , the narrow end of the sectorial box  70  is formed with a boss  52 ′ in which a boss opening  53 ′ is formed, the X-ray passes through the boss opening  53 ′. The boss  52 ′ and the boss  52  of the semicircular clamping plate  50  are securely fitted with each other through for example, a screw, so that the boss opening  53  in the boss  52  is aligned with the boss opening  53 ′ in the boss  52 ′. The wide end  71  of the sectorial box is formed with a horizontal long slot  72  through which the X-ray passes, and the long slot  72  is aligned with the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray, the boss openings  53 ,  53 ′ of the bosses  52 ,  52 ′. As described above, in the present invention terminology “be aligned or alignment” means that horizontal central lines of the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device, the boss openings  53 ,  53 ′ of the bosses  52 ,  52 ′, and the horizontal long slot  72  of the wide end  71  of the sectorial box are located at the same level. In one embodiment, the sectorial box is made of material preventing the radiation from the penetrating therethrough or lined with material preventing the radiation from penetrating therethrough, so that the radiation is prevented from leaking to the external environment. 
     Refer to  FIGS. 6B and 2 , grooves  73  are respectively provided at the wide end  71  of the sectorial box on both sides of the long slot  72 . Each underside of the grooves  73  is formed therein with a vertical slot  74  through which the radiation passes. Circuit boards  75  which are used for luminance correction and have a detector are installed within the groove  73 , respectively. In this way, during the correction of the luminance by means of the detector, a part of X-ray passes through the slots  74  on the sectorial box and projects onto the detectors in front of the circuit boards  75 . The radiation signals from the detectors are detected through the circuit boards  75  so that the luminance of the X-ray device is corrected. 
     Hereafter, the assembly and the operation process of the adjusting positioner for the X-ray device in the present invention is briefly described by referring to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Two semicircular clamping plates  30 ,  50  clamp the X-ray device  40  through bolts. During the process of clamping the X-ray device  40 , firstly, the horizontal position limiting rule  60  is connected to the lower end of the boss  52  of the semicircular clamping plate  50 , and the X-ray device  40  is moved in the vertical direction. When the bottom of the X-ray device  40  comes into contact with the upper surface of the horizontal position limiting rule  60 , since the vertical height from the boss opening  53  of the second boss  52  to the horizontal position limiting rule  60  is equal to the vertical height L between the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device and the bottom of the X-ray device, the boss opening  53  of the second boss  52  and the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device  40  are located at the same level so as to be aligned with each other. 
     After the boss opening  53  of the second boss  52  and the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device  40  are aligned with each other, the semicircular clamping plates  30  and  50  are securely connected to each other by means of connection of the bolt and the nut, so that the X-ray device  40  is stably clamped therebetween. The slide rails  51  at the ends of the long wing portions extending from two assembled semicircular clamping plates  30  and  50  are embedded into the vertical guiding slide slots  21  of the supporter  20 , and at the same time, the boss  31  with the screw hole  32  extending from the semicircular clamping plate  30  with the short wing portion passes through the opening  23  of the supporter  20 , the adjusting screw  10  passes through the hole  25  of the upper boss  22 , the screw hole  32  in the boss  31  and the hole  25 ′ of the lower boss  22 ′, and is restricted between the upper and lower bosses  22  and  22 ′ by the position limiting washer  11 . 
     Furthermore, the boss  52 ′ of the collimator  70  shaped in sectorial box is securely connected with the boss  52  of the semicircular clamping plate  50  through for example, the bolt and the nut, so that the boss opening  53  in the boss  52  is aligned with the boss opening  53 ′ in the boss  52 ′. Thereby, the beam outlet  41  of the X-ray device, boss openings  53 ,  53 ′ in the bosses  52 ,  52 ′ as well as the horizontal elongate slot  72  of the wide end  71  of the sectorial box are located at the same level, that is, alignment therebetween is achieved. 
     Then, through rotating the adjusting screw  10  coupled with the boss  31  of the semicircular clamping plate  30 , through the thread engagement between the threaded portion of the screw  10  and the threaded hole  33  within the boss  31 , the clamping device is driven to move up and down, so that the X-ray device  40  clamped by the clamping device is driven to move up and down, so that the purpose of adjustment of the X-ray device is realized. The precision accuracy for rising and declining the X-ray device  40  is well adjustable by setting the thread pitch of the threaded portions of the adjusting screw  10  and the threaded hole  32 . 
     When the X-ray device  40  is adjusted to the desired position in the vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fastening screw is passed through the vertical elongate hole  54  of the semicircular clamping plate  50  and is screwed in the screw hole  33  provided in the supporter  20 , so that the X-ray device  40  is fixed against the supporter  20  in the vertical direction. When the position of the X-ray device  40  is required to re-adjust, the fastening screw is unscrewed from the screw hole  33  and then the X-ray device  40  is driven by screwing the adjusting screw  10  to move up and down in respect to the supporter  20  in the vertical direction. When the clamping device clamping the X-ray device  10  driven by the adjusting screw  10  moves along the slide path, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fastening screw is synchronistically moved within the vertical elongate hole  54  in the vertical direction. 
     Furthermore, although in the present invention, the adjusting positioner according to the present invention is described by the example which uses the X-ray device as a radiation source, the present invention is not limited thereto, other alternative radiation devices are also can be employed, for example, an isotope radiation source and the like. Although in the present invention, the adjustment of X-ray device in respect to the supporter is described by taking the horizontal and vertical directions as the example, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the directions can be any proper directions. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.