Science Applications International Corporation

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Victor J Orphan

Kenneth H Valentine

Victor V Verbinski

Scott T Smith

Robert O Ginaven

Eric Ackermann

Jeff Adams

A system and method of density detection in a target object involve irradiating the target object, detecting a first and second discrete number of photons penetrating the target object through respective first and second prescribed volumes and entering respective first and second radiation detectors. First and second numbers of photons detected by the first and second radiation detectors are counted, and a display output signal is generated in response to the first and second numbers. A graphical representation of the densities within the first and second volumes of the target object is displayed.

Density detection using discrete photon counting

A system for detecting and graphically displaying a contents of a fast-moving target object comprises: a radiation source, having a position such that at least a portion of radiation emitted from the radiation source passes through the fast-moving target object, the fast-moving target object having a variable velocity and acceleration while maintaining a substantially constant distance from the radiation source and being selected from the group consisting of: a vehicle, a cargo container and a railroad car; a velocity measuring device configured to measure the variable velocity of the fast-moving target object; a detector array comprising a plurality of photon detectors, having a position such that at least some of the at least a portion of the radiation passing through the target object is received thereby, the detector array having a variable count time according to the variable velocity and a grid unit size; a counter circuit coupled to the detector array for discretely counting a number of photons entering individual photon detectors, the counter circuit measuring a count rate according to a contents within the fast-moving target object; a high baud-rate interface coupled to the counter circuit for sending count information from the counter circuit at a rate fast enough to support real-time data transfer therethrough; and a processor coupled to the velocity measuring device and to the high baud-rate interface, receiving count information from the high baud-rate interface and generating distortion-free image data in real time as a function of the count information and the variable velocity. A method for using the system is also disclosed.

Density detection using real time discrete photon counting for fast moving targets

The interior surface of a pipe is optically inspected by a scanner including an array of photodiodes, a light source, and mirrors for directing light reflected from the interior surface to the photodiode array. The charges developed by the photodiodes are converted to digital data which is subtracted from a reference signal for an unblemished interior surface area. The difference is recorded in a memory and displayed on a monitor for defect analysis.

Method and means for optical inspection of the interior surface of tubing

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Leucadia, CA, United States of America

Victor J Orphan