General Electric Company

August David Matula

Gregory Alan Mohr

Brian W Lasiuk

Michael Robert Hopple

Walter Vincent Dixon, Iii

Clifford Bueno

Forrest Frank Hopkins

Robert J Mitchell, Jr

Ronald Cecil McFarland

Elizabeth Lokenberg Dixon

Kevin Layne Moermond

Thomas James Batzinger

Michael Kent Cueman

Lewis Jones Thomas, Iii

Casmir R Trzaskos

Peter S Allison

Elizabeth Lockenberg Dixon

Michael J Austin

A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest. The resulting pixel value is mapped in integer format to a palette index to establish an output pixel intensity having one of many intensity levels. The optional processing is controlled through the hardware interface of a real-time image controller as images are acquired.

Method, system and apparatus for processing radiographic images of scanned objects

A system and method for high-speed radiographic inspection of fluid transport vessels in which a radiation source and a radiation detector are positioned on opposite sides of the outside surface of the vessel. A positioning system is provided for moving and locating the radiation source and radiation detector longitudinally with respect to the vessel and for moving the radiation source and radiation detector circumferentially with respect to the vessel. In operation, the positioning system causes the radiation source and radiation detector to spiral along the vessel in a coordinated manner while the radiation source illuminates an adjacent region of the vessel with radiation. The radiation is converted into corresponding electrical signals used to generate images of objects in the radiation path. Finally, an operator inspects the images for defects.

High speed digital radiographic inspection of piping

An image identification and quality indication system for radiographic inspection includes a flexible substrate, for positioning on a surface of an object to be inspected, and a number of locators and image quality indicators arranged on the flexible substrate. Each locator is configured for indicating a position on the object's surface in a respective radiographic image (image). Each image quality indicator is configured to indicate an image quality of the respective image. An image identification and quality indication method for radiographic inspection includes positioning the flexible substrate on the object's surface, including aligning the locators with a number of visible features on object's surface. The method further includes forming at least one reference mark and image quality mark in each of a number of images of the object, using a locator and image quality indicator, respectively. Each reference mark correlates the respective image with a position on the object.

System and method for image identification and quality indication for radiographic inspection

A microfocus X-ray tube has an anode that emits X-rays and, a biproduct of its waste heat, visible and near infrared light. This invention uses the biproduct light to adjust and maintain the focus of the electron beam and enhance the performance of the X-ray tube as a point source of X-rays. Only the light is reflected by a mirror along a path in which a viewport is placed in the tube envelope. An sensor, e.g., a photodiode, or television camera, is placed in the path. A display means, e.g., a television display, meter, etc., can be connected to the sensing means to display the emitting spot of the anode or the amplitude of the emission. The focus of the X-ray tube is assured by observing the biproduct light and adjusting the electron beam to either minimize the size of the glowing spot or maximizing its apparent brightness. A method for use with an emitter of first and second types of radiation comprises reflecting only the second type of radiation, and sensing the reflected radiation. A microfocus X-ray tube features a mirror for reflecting light but not X-rays. A viewport such as quartz can be disposed in the path of the reflected light in the tube envelope.

Microfocus X-ray tube with optical spot size sensing means

Growing community of inventors

Fredericksburg, VA, United States of America

August David Matula