Patent Description:
Mobile systems for radiation inspection of vehicle and/or container cargo are moved, in a transport mode, using power from a dedicated engine (e.g., a conventional diesel-fuelled internal combustion engine). It is desirable to keep the weight of the mobile inspection system as low as possible, whilst at the same time integrating as many elements as possible in the system.

<CIT> discloses a mobile vehicle inspection system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> discloses radiation detection device, system and related methods. <CIT> discloses non-intrusive inspection method and system.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

It is provided a mobile inspection system according to claim <NUM>.

The inspection radiation detector may be adapted to be activated by a power supply adapted to be connected, in the inspection mode, to the conversion module. The inspection radiation source may comprise an X-ray generator adapted to be activated by a power supply adapted to be connected, in the inspection mode, to the conversion module.

The system may further comprise a regulation module configured to regulate the conversion module to a set point. The power conversion module may comprise a mechanical transmission and/or a hydraulic transmission, for connecting the engine to an electric generator. The hydraulic transmission may comprise a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic pump may be a variable displacement pump. The regulation module may be configured to control the displacement of the pump, such that a speed of the motor is regulated to a set point.

The inspection mode comprises a scan mode wherein the system is configured to move, with a scanning motion, with respect to the item to be scanned.

The motion generation module is adapted to be connected to the engine configured to further cause motion of the system in the scan mode.

The motion generation module may further comprise a mechanical drive transmission adapted to be connected to the engine and a driven axle of the system and a reduction drive transmission. The motion generation module may be configured to drive the driven axle through the mechanical drive transmission in the transport mode, and further through the reduction drive transmission in the scan mode.

The system may further comprise a regulation module configured to regulate the speed of the system to a speed set point, in the scan mode, preferably a scanning speed. The reduction drive transmission may comprise a hydraulic drive transmission comprising a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic pump may be a variable displacement pump. The regulation module may be adapted to control the displacement of the pump, such that a speed of the motor is regulated to a set point.

The system may comprise a safety brake configured to stop a hydraulic transmission in case of hydraulic power loss in the hydraulic transmission.

The inspection radiation detector may comprise an electro-hydraulic boom. The system may further comprise a conditioning circuit which is common to the electro-hydraulic boom and at least one hydraulic transmission. The system may further comprise a conditioning circuit common to the hydraulic transmissions.

The motion generation module may further be adapted to cause supply of energy to any electrical device of the system, in the inspection mode. The system may not comprise any additional power generator which is not adapted to be connected to the engine.

The inspection module and the motion generation module may be mounted on the chassis of a trailer. The engine may be mounted on a tractor.

The system may be an inspection vehicle.

The engine may comprise an internal combustion engine and/or an electrical engine and/or an engine based on a compressed air engine.

The total weight of the vehicle, in the transport mode, may be less than <NUM> tons, e.g., less than <NUM> tons, preferably less than <NUM> tons.

The inspection mode may further comprise a pass-through mode, wherein the system or the trailer is configured to be static and wherein the item to be scanned is configured to move, in the pass-through mode, with respect to the system or the trailer.

The inspection module may be configured to, in the inspection mode, cause scan of the item, in totality or partially.

The inspection module may comprise at least one X-ray detector, and optionally at least one gamma detector and/or at least one neutrons detector.

In the Figures like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements.

The invention relates to a mobile inspection system which can be moved using energy from an engine, both in a transport mode and in a scan mode of an inspection mode, and in which the engine is also used to provide energy to the inspection system in the inspection mode. This may enable less energy to be used for operation of the system, e.g. in the inspection mode. This may also enable optimization of the energy used by the system, e.g. in the inspection mode, which is particularly advantageous in the case where it is desirable to keep the energy consumption of the system low. In the case where the engine is e.g., diesel-fuelled, embodiments of the disclosure may thus enable reduction of the fuel consumption of the system, and therefore reduction of the emission of greenhouse effect exhausts. In the case where the inspection system comprises e.g., an X-ray source, embodiments of the disclosure may enable reduction of the emission of X-rays, and thus of the footprint of the system. Embodiments of the disclosure are thus environmentally friendly. Embodiments of the disclosure may enable the engine to cause supply of energy to any electrical device of the system, in the inspection mode. Thus the system may not comprise any additional power generator which is not adapted to be connected to the engine, which is particularly advantageous in the case where it is desirable to keep the weight of the system low. This may also enable design of more compact and cheaper systems.

The Figures illustrate a mobile inspection system <NUM> comprising an inspection module <NUM> mounted on a chassis <NUM> of the system. The system <NUM> is configured to operate at least in a transport mode, wherein the system is configured to transport the inspection module <NUM>, and an inspection mode wherein the inspection module <NUM> is configured to cause scan of an item <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that the item <NUM> may be a vehicle such as a truck, but the item <NUM> may also be a van, a car and/or a container. The inspection module <NUM> is configured to cause scan through the material (usually steel) of walls of the item <NUM>, in order to enable inspection of the cargo of the item <NUM>, for inspecting for threats such as explosives, narcotics, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and/or contraband.

The inspection module <NUM> is configured to, in the inspection mode, cause scan of the item <NUM>, in totality (i.e. the whole item <NUM> is scanned) or partially (i.e. only a chosen part of the item is scanned, e.g., typically, when scanning a vehicle, a cabin of the vehicle may not be scanned, whereas a rear part of the vehicle is scanned).

To that effect, the inspection module <NUM> mainly comprises an inspection radiation source <NUM> and an inspection radiation detector <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated by the Figures, the inspection radiation source <NUM> comprises an X-ray generator adapted to be activated by a power supply <NUM> (e.g., a generator) adapted to be connected to a conversion module <NUM> described in more detail below. The power of the X-ray source <NUM> may be e.g., between 500keV and <NUM>. 0MeV, typically e.g., 4MeV, for a steel penetration capacity e.g., between <NUM> to <NUM>, typically e.g., <NUM> (<NUM>.

In the examples illustrated by the Figures, the inspection radiation detector <NUM> is adapted to be activated by the power supply <NUM>, in the inspection mode, and comprises, amongst other conventional electrical elements, radiation detection lines <NUM>, such as X-ray detection lines. The inspection radiation detector <NUM> may further comprise other types of detectors, such as optional gamma or neutrons detectors, e.g., adapted to detect the presence of radioactive gamma and/or neutrons emitting materials within the item <NUM>, e.g., simultaneously to the X-ray inspection. The inspection radiation detector <NUM> also preferably comprises an electro-hydraulic boom <NUM> which can operate in a retracted position in the transport mode (<FIG>) and in an inspection position (<FIG>). The detection lines <NUM> are mounted on the boom <NUM>, facing the source <NUM> on the other side of the item <NUM> in the scan position of the boom <NUM>. The boom <NUM> is operated by hydraulic activators (such as hydraulic cylinders).

The system also comprises a motion generation module <NUM> adapted to be connected to an engine <NUM> configured to cause motion of the system <NUM> at least in the transport mode.

The inspection mode comprises a scan mode wherein the system is configured to move, with a scanning motion, with respect to the item <NUM> to be scanned. In the scan mode, the item is static with respect e.g., to the ground, and the system moves with respect to the ground. The motion generation module <NUM> is adapted to be connected to the engine <NUM> configured to cause motion of the system <NUM> in the scan mode.

As it will be apparent from the Figures and the following description, the system <NUM> advantageously forms a trailer (i.e. rear part) of a vehicle further comprising a tractor <NUM> (i.e. front part) comprising the engine <NUM>. In the examples illustrated by the Figures, the trailer <NUM> forms an integer with the tractor <NUM> to form the vehicle (i.e. the trailer and the tractor have a common chassis <NUM>, and the trailer <NUM> is not independent and/or removable from the tractor <NUM>), and comprises a driven axle <NUM>, for example a rear axle, connected to wheels. The engine <NUM> may comprise an internal combustion engine and/or an electrical engine and/or an engine based on a compressed air engine. In the examples illustrated by the Figures, the motion generation module <NUM> is also mounted on the chassis <NUM> of the system <NUM>.

According to the invention and as illustrated by the Figures, the motion generation module <NUM> further comprises a transfer case <NUM> adapted to be connected to the engine <NUM> and configured to switch between a transport mode when the system <NUM> is in the transport mode and an inspection mode when the system <NUM> is in the inspection mode. The transfer case <NUM> may be adapted to be connected to the engine <NUM> via a propeller shaft <NUM> and a gearbox <NUM> of the generation module <NUM>. The switch of the transfer case <NUM> from the transport mode to the inspection mode, and vice versa, may be performed, as known by those skilled in the art, e.g., using a shifter or an electronic switch connected to a controller <NUM> in the tractor <NUM>, and using e.g., a pneumatically controlled jaw clutch of the system <NUM>, e.g. using dogs, controlled by a module <NUM> on the chassis <NUM> and described in greater detail below.

The motion generation module <NUM> may further comprise a mechanical drive transmission <NUM> and a reduction drive transmission <NUM>. The mechanical drive transmission <NUM> is adapted to be connected to the engine <NUM>, via the transfer case <NUM>, and to the driven axle <NUM> of the system <NUM>, via a drive shaft <NUM>, as explained in greater detail below.

The engine <NUM> and the module <NUM> are configured to drive the driven axle <NUM> through the transfer case <NUM> and the mechanical drive transmission <NUM> in the transport mode. In the examples illustrated by the <FIG> and <FIG>, the transfer case <NUM> comprises a connection <NUM> adapted to connect the propeller shaft <NUM> to the drive shaft <NUM>. This enables the system to be transported at speeds in the range e.g., of [<NUM>-<NUM>]km/h, typically in the range e.g., of [<NUM>-<NUM>]km/h, in the transport mode.

The engine <NUM> and the motion generation module <NUM> are configured to drive the driven axle <NUM> through the transfer case <NUM>, the mechanical drive transmission <NUM> and the reduction drive transmission <NUM> in the scan mode. The reduction drive transmission <NUM> comprises an extension from the transfer case <NUM> and a reducer <NUM> connected to the drive shaft <NUM> via the transfer case <NUM>. This enables the system to be moved by the engine <NUM> at scanning speeds in the range e.g., of [<NUM>-<NUM>]m/min, typically in the range of [<NUM>-<NUM>]m/min, preferably <NUM>/min in the scan mode. The scanning speed is chosen by a user on the controller <NUM>. At the maximum scanning speed, the throughput of items <NUM> in the scan mode may be in the range e.g., of [<NUM>-<NUM>] items/hour, typically in the range e.g., of [<NUM>-<NUM>]items scanned per hour. The high rotation speed of the engine <NUM> does not enable appropriate slow motion of the driven axle <NUM>, and thus of the system <NUM>, in the scan mode. The reduction drive transmission <NUM> enables reduction of the high rotation speed of the engine <NUM> to a reduced rotation speed which enables to drive the driven axle <NUM> to the appropriate scanning speed.

In the example illustrated by the <FIG>, the reduction drive transmission <NUM> comprises a hydraulic drive transmission comprising a hydraulic pump <NUM> and a hydraulic motor <NUM> connected to the reducer <NUM>. In the example illustrated by the <FIG>, the reduction drive transmission <NUM> comprises the electric generator <NUM> and an electric motor <NUM> connected to the reducer <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated by the <FIG> and <FIG>, the transfer case <NUM> comprises a connection <NUM>, adapted to connect the propeller shaft <NUM> to a shaft <NUM> connected to the pump <NUM> or to the generator <NUM>, respectively. In order to connect the reducer <NUM> to the drive shaft <NUM>, the transfer case <NUM> comprises a connection <NUM>, adapted to connect a shaft <NUM> connected to the reducer <NUM>, to the drive shaft <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated by the Figures, the motion generation module <NUM> is further adapted to cause supply of energy at least to the inspection module <NUM>, in the inspection mode, e.g., in the scan mode.

To that effect, according to the invention and as illustrated by the Figures, the system <NUM> further comprises the power conversion module <NUM>, configured to cause conversion of energy from the engine <NUM> into electrical energy for at least the inspection module <NUM>, in the scan mode.

The power conversion module <NUM> may be adapted to be connected, in the scan mode, to the electric generator <NUM>, such as an alternative current generator, adapted to convert energy from the engine <NUM> into electrical energy for at least the inspection module <NUM>. The alternative current generator may be adapted to supply power to the module <NUM>, for example by providing alternative current in the range of [<NUM>-<NUM>]V, for e.g., between <NUM>-<NUM> kVA, typically e.g., 24kVA. In the transport mode, the power conversion module <NUM> is disconnected from the electric generator <NUM> as explained in greater detail below.

As illustrated by <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the power conversion module <NUM> may comprise a mechanical transmission comprising the transfer case <NUM> for connecting, in the scan mode, the engine <NUM> to the electric generator <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The power conversion module <NUM> may further comprise a hydraulic transmission <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

In the example of <FIG>, the transfer case <NUM> comprises the connection <NUM> adapted to connect, in the scan mode, the propeller shaft <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> connected to the generator <NUM>. In <FIG>, the electric generator <NUM> is thus adapted to supply electrical energy to both the electric motor <NUM> connected to the reducer <NUM>, and the source <NUM>, optionally via an appropriate converter <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the hydraulic transmission <NUM> comprises a hydraulic pump <NUM> and a hydraulic motor <NUM>. The connection <NUM> is adapted to connect, in the scan mode, the propeller shaft <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> connected to the pump <NUM>. The pump <NUM> is in turn connected to the hydraulic motor <NUM>, connected to the generator <NUM>.

The system may further comprise a regulation module <NUM> configured to regulate the power conversion module <NUM> to a set point. The module <NUM> preferably comprises a PID (proportional, integral, derivative) loop comprising a speed sensor.

In the example illustrated by the <FIG>, the hydraulic transmission <NUM> is hydrostatic. Preferably the hydraulic pump <NUM> is a variable displacement pump, and the regulation module <NUM> is configured to control the displacement of the pump <NUM>, such that a speed of the motor <NUM> is easily regulated to a set point. The speed of the motor <NUM> is thus checked by the speed sensor and regulated by the module <NUM>, via the control of the displacement of the pump. The regulated speed of the motor <NUM> enables regulated generation of electrical energy, including power frequency, by the generator <NUM> within a desired range required for the source <NUM>. Furthermore, the module <NUM> also enables easy adaptation of the power conversion module <NUM> and the generator <NUM> to different types of sources <NUM>. For sources which are configured to operate at <NUM> (e.g., US market), the speed of the motor <NUM> is regulated to 1800rpm, and for sources which are configured to operate at <NUM>, the speed of the motor <NUM> is regulated to 1500rpm.

The system may further comprise a speed regulation module <NUM> configured to regulate the speed of the system <NUM> to a speed set point, in the scan mode, preferably a scanning speed. The module <NUM> preferably comprises a PID loop comprising a speed sensor. In the example illustrated by the <FIG>, the hydraulic drive transmission is hydrostatic. Preferably the pump <NUM> is a variable displacement pump, and the regulation module <NUM> is adapted to control the displacement of the pump <NUM>, such that a speed of the motor <NUM> is easily regulated to a set point. The speed of the motor <NUM> is checked by the speed sensor and is regulated by the module <NUM> via the control of the displacement of the pump <NUM> in order to guarantee a constant scanning speed, for good image quality.

As discussed above, the hydrostatic hydraulic drive transmission and the hydrostatic hydraulic transmission <NUM> are adapted to deliver a constant output, either for the scanning speed or for the power frequency, respectively.

For technical design reasons, the source <NUM> and the generator <NUM> are at the rear of the chassis <NUM> of the system. The hydraulic transmission <NUM> is a convenient way to bring energy from the engine <NUM> to the generator <NUM> and/or the source <NUM>. The hydraulic drive transmission is also a compact and convenient way to bring energy from the engine <NUM> to the reducer <NUM>.

In the examples illustrated by the Figures, at least one of the hydraulic drive transmission or hydraulic transmission <NUM> comprises a hydraulic safety brake <NUM>, configured to block rotation of a shaft, e.g., the shaft <NUM>, thus blocking the hydraulic drive transmission or hydraulic transmission <NUM>, in case of hydraulic power loss in the hydraulic drive transmission or hydraulic transmission <NUM>, e.g., due to hydraulic leak. If the hydraulic drive transmission or hydraulic transmission <NUM> loses power, the brake <NUM> will prevent the system <NUM> from going further or the source <NUM> to emit radiation.

The system <NUM> comprises a hydraulic conditioning circuit <NUM>, comprising a hydraulic fluid tank <NUM>, filters, air/oil intercooler, etc. to be used in the electro-hydraulic boom <NUM> or in at least one of the hydraulic drive transmission or hydraulic transmission <NUM>. In order to reduce the weight of the system, and thus that of the vehicle in the transport mode, the conditioning circuit <NUM> is common to the electro-hydraulic boom <NUM> and at least one, preferably all, of the hydraulic drive transmission and hydraulic transmission <NUM>. Preferably, the hydraulic conditioning circuit <NUM> is common at least to the hydraulic transmission <NUM> and hydraulic drive transmission.

In the example of the Figures, in operation, in the transport mode, the power of the engine <NUM> is directly driven to the rear axle <NUM>, via the connection <NUM> of the transfer case <NUM> and the mechanical drive transmission <NUM>. In the scan mode, the power of the engine <NUM> further goes through the reduction drive transmission <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, in the scan mode the shaft <NUM> is adapted to drive the hydrostatic drive transmission and the hydraulic transmission <NUM>: one for the reduction drive transmission <NUM>, one for the power conversion module <NUM>.

In the reduction drive transmission <NUM>, kinetic energy from the engine <NUM> is transformed into hydraulic energy by the hydraulic pump <NUM>. The hydraulic energy is transferred to the hydraulic motor <NUM> which in transforms the hydraulic energy back into kinetic energy and is coupled to the rear axle <NUM> via the reducer <NUM>, the transfer case <NUM> and the drive shaft <NUM> (in the scan mode).

In the power conversion module <NUM>, kinetic energy from the engine <NUM> is transformed into hydraulic energy by the hydraulic pump <NUM>. The hydraulic energy is transferred to the hydraulic motor <NUM> which in transforms the hydraulic energy back into kinetic energy and is coupled to the generator <NUM> which in turn transforms the kinetic energy into electrical energy (in the scan mode, and optionally in a pass-through mode as described below).

In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, in the scan mode the shaft <NUM> is adapted to drive the generator <NUM>.

In the reduction drive transmission <NUM>, kinetic energy from the engine <NUM> is transformed into electrical energy by the generator <NUM>. The electrical energy is transferred to the electric motor <NUM> which in transforms the electrical energy back into kinetic energy, with the appropriate reduction ratio, and is coupled to the rear axle <NUM> via the reducer <NUM>, the transfer case <NUM> and the drive shaft <NUM> (in the scan mode).

In the power conversion module <NUM>, kinetic energy from the engine <NUM> is transformed into electrical energy by the generator <NUM>. The electrical energy is transferred to the source <NUM>, via an optional converter <NUM> (in the scan mode, and optionally in a pass-through mode as described below).

Further to the scan mode, the inspection mode may further comprise a pass-through mode, wherein the system is configured to be static, e.g., with respect to the ground, and wherein the item <NUM> to be scanned is configured to move, in the pass-through mode, with respect to the system. In the pass-through mode:.

Advantageously, the electrical energy produced by the generator <NUM> is available to any electrical device of the system <NUM>. Advantageously, the system may thus not comprise any additional power generator which is not adapted to be connected to the engine <NUM>, such as an additional diesel-fuelled (heavy) generator set. The examples according to the disclosure thus enable compensating for the trends of the increasing weight of the inspection module <NUM> (because of the need for new functionalities) and of the tractor <NUM> (because of new regulations regarding fuel consumption and engine emissions (engines more complex, larger exhausts, inline <NUM> cylinders. The total weight of the vehicle, in the transport mode, may thus be less than <NUM> tons, e.g., less than <NUM> tons, preferably less than <NUM> tons (<NUM>,000lbs). The vehicle according to the disclosure meets all US Federal Bridge Law regulations, which means that the vehicle may be driven without a specific truck driver license, e.g. in the US. The examples according to the disclosure thus also enable a more compact and cheaper system, because an additional a diesel-fuelled generator takes a lot of space and is expensive.

The fact that the truck engine <NUM> is also on in the inspection mode (i.e. the scan mode and optionally the pass-through mode) guarantees that the main functions of the truck (e.g. engine cooling, cabin Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC), cabin heating system, steering and brake assistance, lamps, sirens, etc.) work properly, i.e. they are in a desired temperature range.

It is understood that the inspection radiation source may comprise sources of other radiation, such as gamma rays or neutrons. The inspection radiation source may also comprise sources which are not adapted to be activated by a power supply, such as radioactive sources, such as using Co60 or Cs137.

The trailer (or rear part) may also form an independent trailer or an independent semitrailer (i.e. the chassis of the trailer is not common to a chassis of the tractor), which can be removeably attached to the tractor (front part) of the vehicle.

The fluid used in the hydraulic transmissions and in the conditioning circuit is preferably oil, but may be any appropriate fluid, such as a liquid or a gas, such as water or air.

Claim 1:
A mobile inspection system (<NUM>) comprising:
an inspection module (<NUM>) mounted on a chassis (<NUM>) of the system and comprising an inspection radiation source (<NUM>) and an inspection radiation detector (<NUM>),
wherein the system (<NUM>) is configured to operate at least in:
a transport mode wherein the system (<NUM>) is configured to transport the inspection module (<NUM>); and
an inspection mode wherein the inspection module (<NUM>) is configured to cause scan of an item (<NUM>), the inspection mode comprising a scan mode wherein the system is configured to move, with a scanning motion, with respect to the item (<NUM>) to be scanned,
characterized in that the mobile inspection system further comprises:
a motion generation module (<NUM>) comprising a transfer case (<NUM>) adapted to be connected to an engine (<NUM>) configured to cause motion of the system (<NUM>) in the transport mode and in the scan mode,
wherein the transfer case (<NUM>) is configured to switch between a transport mode when the system (<NUM>) is in the transport mode, and an inspection mode when the system (<NUM>) is in the inspection mode; and
a power conversion module (<NUM>) configured to cause conversion of energy from the engine (<NUM>) into electrical energy for at least the inspection module (<NUM>), in the inspection mode,
wherein the transfer case (<NUM>) of the motion generation module (<NUM>) is further configured to cause the power conversion module (<NUM>) to cause supply of energy at least to the inspection module (<NUM>), in the inspection mode.