It is possible to detect, with high accuracy, whether a structure is a good product or a defective product. This inspection apparatus for a structure comprises: X-ray emitting means (1a, 1b) for emitting X-rays through two or more paths; one or more X-ray detection means (3) for detecting the X-rays passing through the a structure (2); a multiple position distance measurement means (4) for measuring the distance from the X-ray emitting means to the structure at a plurality of positions; and an image processing means (5). The image processing means includes: a defective candidate detection means for detecting a defective candidate in two or more images acquired by the X-ray detection means; a height measurement means; an image calculation means for logically multiplying an image, on which height position information obtained by the height measurement means is recorded, by a defective candidate image obtained by the defective candidate detection means; an inspection range setting means for setting an inspection range from the distance and the thickness of the structure; and a defect determination means for determining that there is a defect when the inspection range includes the defective candidate.

The invention relates to non-destructive imaging of the internal structure for safe and intuitive operator work. In the context of the invented method, electronic scanning first creates a virtual image of the surface of the object (5) whose internal structure is the subject of research. Part of the surface of the object (5) and the angle of scanning are set by voice or by movement of the operator's body (9). The virtual image of the surface of the object (5) is subsequently projected in the stereoscopic glasses (7), followed by creation of the virtual image of the internal structure of the object (5) for the same angle of scanning. The virtual image of the internal structure is projected in the virtual image of the surface of the object (5), or replaces the virtual image of the object (5).

Some embodiments include a radiographic inspection system, comprising: a drive mechanism configured to move along a structure; a detector attached to the drive mechanism; a radiation source attached to the drive mechanism and positionable relative to the detector such that a width of the structure casts a radiation shadow on an active area of the detector; and control logic coupled to the detector and configured to: receive an image from the detector; generate side wall loss information based on the image; and generate bottom wall loss information based on the image.

For each X-ray path through a tissue, numerous trials are conducted. In each trial, X-ray photons are emitted along the path until a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode “clicks”. A temporal average—i.e., the average amount of time elapsed before a “click” occurs—is calculated. This temporal average is, in turn, used to estimate a causal intensity of X-ray light that passes through the tissue along the path and reaches the diode. Based on the causal intensities for multiple paths, a computer generates computed tomography (CT) images or 2D digital radiographic images. The causal intensities used to create the images are estimated from temporal statistics, and not from conventional measurements of intensity at a pixel. X-ray dosage needed for imaging is dramatically reduced as follows: a “click” of the photodiode triggers negative feedback that causes the system to halt irradiation of the tissue along a path, until the next trial begins.

A system and corresponding method for detecting one or more high-atomic-number elements in a patient includes a Bremsstrahlung x-ray source that produces x-rays in an energy spectrum including an energy of at least 160 kiloelectron-volts (keV), a filter configured to absorb the x-rays in a region of the energy spectrum, and a collimator configured to receive the x-rays and output a collimated x-ray beam to be incident on a patient. The system and method can also include one or more collimated, energy-resolving x-ray detectors to detect fluorescent radiation emitted from the one or more high-atomic-number elements in the patient in response to the collimated x-ray beam incident on the patient. An alternative x-ray source can include a radioactive isotope. Scanning of the x-ray beam may also be performed. Embodiments enable practical clinical, in vivo measurements of lead in bone.

A digital X-ray detector is provided. The digital X-ray detector includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to obtain an electromagnetic interference (EMI) frequency of an EMI signal, to receive a signal to start a scan, to ensure EMI noise is in a same phase during acquisition of offset images and read images to enable a subtraction of the EMI noise, and to start the scan.

An inspection and sorting system sorts conveyed articles. The system is provided with a conveyance device, an X-ray inspection device, and a sorting device. The conveyance device conveys inspection articles. The X-ray inspection device inspects the conveyed inspection articles. The sorting device has an air sorting mechanism that sorts the conveyed inspection articles in a sorting operation. The sorting device has a sorting information receiving component, a reference signal receiving component, and a sorting mechanism control component. The sorting information receiving component receives sorting information relating to the sorting of the inspection articles based on an inspection result of the X-ray inspection device. The reference signal receiving component receives a fixed-interval reference signal relating to the conveyance by the conveyance device. The sorting mechanism control component controls the air sorting mechanism to execute the sorting operation based on the sorting information at a timing adjusted by the reference signal.

A method of qualifying physical components using computed tomography (CT) includes obtaining qualified CT data from a CT scanner for at least one qualified physical component. Qualification data is generated based on the qualified CT data, where the qualification data defines a qualification envelope. Candidate CT data is obtained from the CT scanner for a candidate physical component. Comparison data is then generated based on the candidate CT data and the qualification data, where the comparison data indicates whether the candidate CT data is within the qualification envelope defined by the qualification data. An acceptance signal is generated if the comparison data meets acceptance criteria

A shielded X-ray radiation apparatus is provided comprising an X-ray source, an X-ray attenuation shield including an elongate cavity to house the X-ray source and incorporating a region to accommodate a sample, a neutron attenuation shield, and a gamma attenuation shield. The neutron attenuation shield is situated adjacent to and substantially surrounds the X-ray attenuation shield and the gamma attenuation shield is adjacent to and substantially surrounds the neutron attenuation shield. In some embodiments a removable sample insertion means is provided to insert samples into the elongate cavity and which is composed of adjacent blocks of material, each respective block having a thickness and a composition which substantially matches the thickness and a composition of one of the X-ray attenuation, neutron attenuation and gamma-ray attenuation shields.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an x-ray imaging system, comprising: an x-ray source; an x-ray detector; a sample mount for mounting a sample in a beam path between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector; an enclosure enclosing at least the sample mount in an interior of the enclosure; and a climate control system for regulating the climate inside the enclosure, wherein: the enclosure has an aperture for enabling access to at least the sample mount from outside the enclosure; the enclosure is provided with a door operable between an open position in which the aperture is open and a closed position in which the aperture is closed by the door; and the climate control system is operable to provide a positive pressure differential between the interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure such that the interior of the enclosure is maintained at a higher pressure than the exterior of the enclosure when the door is open. Such a system is able to better regulate the temperature inside the enclosure even when the door is opened.