The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 14, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2007
Martin Annis, Cambridge, MA (US);
Martin Annis, Cambridge, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A dual-energy x-ray source located a distance of one half of the maximum width of the subject from the subject emits a cone beam to a horizontal slit in an x-ray-blocking sheet, producing a fan beam that is chopped into a pencil beam by a rotating disk with radial slots. The pencil beam sweeps a subject, producing backscatter read by a plastic scintillator detector situated very close to and curved around the sides of the subject. The entire assembly translates vertically to produce a complete image of the subject. Pencil beam area is increased farther from the center by increasing the width of the slit toward both ends and increasing the width of the slots toward the outer end. High and low peak x-ray energies of 50 KeV or more and 30 KeV or less, respectively, enable differentiation between innocent and contraband materials that both contain low Z materials.