X-ray beam intensity monitoring device and X-ray inspection

Abstract

The present invention discloses an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device and an X-ray inspection system. The X-ray beam intensity monitoring device comprises an intensity detecting module and a data processing module, wherein the intensity detecting module is adopted to be irradiated by the X-ray beam and send a detecting signal, the data processing module is coupled with the intensity detecting module to receive the detecting signal and output an X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal, wherein the X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal includes a dose monitoring signal for the X-ray beam and a brightness correction signal for correcting signal values of the X-ray beam. The X-ray beam intensity monitoring device can simultaneously perform dose monitoring and brightness monitoring, thereby improving the service efficiency of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device. Moreover, the monitoring result of the X-ray beam intensity can be more accurate and reliable.

Claims

1. An X-ray inspection system, comprising: an X-ray beam emitting device, a detector array and an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device, which comprises an intensity detecting module and a data processing module: wherein the intensity detecting module is adopted to be irradiated by the X-ray beam and send a detecting signal, the data processing module is coupled with the intensity detecting module to receive the detecting signal and output an X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal, wherein the X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal comprises a dose monitoring signal for the X-ray beam and a brightness correction signal for correcting signal values of the detector array, wherein the data processing module comprises an integrating amplifier and a signal conversion device, the integrating amplifier is coupled with the intensity detecting module to receive the detecting signal and output a voltage signal, and the signal conversion device is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal and output the dose monitoring signal and the brightness correction signal; and wherein the signal conversion device comprises a voltage comparator and an analog-to-digital converter, the voltage comparator is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal and output a level signal to serve as the dose monitoring signal, and the analog-to-digital converter is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal and output a digital signal to serve as the brightness correction signal.

2. The X-ray inspection system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device comprises a plurality of intensity detecting modules, and the plurality of intensity detecting modules are coupled with the same data processing module.

3. The X-ray inspection system of claim 1, wherein an X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray beam emitting device comprises a working beam irradiated on the detector array and a redundant beam irradiated on the outside of the detector array, and the intensity detecting module of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device is arranged between the X-ray beam emitting device and the detector array to be irradiated by the redundant beam and send the detecting signal.

4. The X-ray inspection system of claim 3, wherein the X-ray inspection system further comprises a collimator, and the intensity detecting module is located between the X-ray beam emitting device and the collimator.

5. The X-ray inspection system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray beam is a fan-shaped beam, and the intensity detecting module is located at a side of the fan-shaped beam.

6. The X-ray inspection system of claim 5, further comprising a collimator located between the X-ray beam emitting device and the detector array, wherein the intensity detecting module is located between the X-ray beam emitting device and the collimator.

7. The X-ray inspection system of claim 3, wherein the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device comprises a plurality of intensity detecting modules which are symmetrically arranged relative to the working beam.

8. The X-ray inspection system of claim 1, wherein the intensity detecting module is a scintillation detecting module, the scintillation detecting module comprises a scintillator, a photosensor and a shielding layer, one end of the scintillator is coupled with the photosensor, the scintillator is located between the photosensor and the X-ray beam such that the scintillator will be irradiated by the redundant beam, and the shielding layer is arranged on the periphery of the photosensor.

9. The X-ray inspection system of claim 1, wherein the intensity detecting module is a gas detecting module, the gas detecting module comprises a high-voltage plate electrode, a collection plate electrode and a working gas, the high-voltage plate electrode is located between the X-ray beam emitting device and the collection plate electrode and is perpendicular to the incidence direction of the X-ray beam such that the high-voltage plate electrode will be irradiated by the redundant beam, and the working gas is located between the high-voltage plate electrode and the collection plate electrode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrated herein are used for providing further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present application, and the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the illustration thereof are used for explaining the present invention, rather than constituting improper limitations to the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a layout schematic diagram of an X-ray inspection system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic diagram of a B-B direction of the X-ray inspection system as shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle of an intensity detecting module of an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device in the X-ray inspection system as shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a sectional structure principle of a C-C direction of the intensity detecting module as shown in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device of the X-ray inspection system as shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle in an overlooking direction of an intensity detecting module of an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device in an X-ray inspection system in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle of the intensity detecting module as shown in FIG. 6, observed in a direction perpendicular to an X-ray fan-shaped beam.

(9) In FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, marks in the accompanying drawings are respectively as follows:

(10) 1 represents an electron accelerator;

(11) 2 represents a detector array;

(12) 3 represents a collimator;

(13) 4 represents an inspected object;

(14) 5 represents a scintillation detecting module;

(15) 51 represents a scintillator;

(16) 52 represents a photosensor;

(17) 53 represents a shielding layer;

(18) 6 represents a gas detecting module;

(19) 61 represents a high-voltage plate electrode;

(20) 62 represents a collection plate electrode;

(21) 63 represents a working gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(22) A clear and complete description of technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be given below, in combination with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the embodiments described below are merely a part, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. A description on at least one exemplary embodiment below is actually only illustrative, and cannot be used as any limitation to the present invention or the application or the use thereof. All of the other embodiments, obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without any creative effort, fall into the protection scope of the present invention.

(23) Unless otherwise specified, relative arrangement of components and steps, numeric expressions and numerical values described in these embodiments generate no limitation to the scope of the present invention. Meanwhile, it should be understood that, for the convenience of description, the sizes of various components shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to an actual proportional relationship. The technology, methods and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but the technology, the methods and the equipment should be deemed to be a part of the authorized specification under appropriate circumstances. In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any particular value should be interpreted as being merely an example, not a restriction. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments can have different values. It should be noted that, similar marks and letters represent similar items in the following accompanying drawings, so that once a certain item is defined in an accompanying drawing, the item does not need to be further discussed in the subsequent accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

(24) FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 show an X-ray inspection system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 1 is a layout schematic diagram of an X-ray inspection system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic diagram of a B-B direction of the X-ray inspection system as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 and

(26) FIG. 2, the X-ray inspection system in the first embodiment includes an X-ray emitting device adopted to emit X-rays, a collimator 3, a detector array 2 used in X-ray inspection and an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device.

(27) Further, the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device is adopted to monitor the X-ray beam intensity of the X-ray emitting device. The X-ray beam intensity monitoring device includes an intensity detecting module and a data processing module. The data processing module is coupled with the intensity detecting module to receive the detecting signal sent by the intensity detecting module and output an X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal.

(28) The X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal includes a dose monitoring signal for the X-ray beam and a brightness correction signal for correcting signal values of the detector array. The X-ray beam intensity monitoring device can simultaneously perform dose monitoring and brightness monitoring, thereby improving the service efficiency of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device.

(29) An X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray emitting device includes a working beam irradiated on the detector array 2 and a redundant beam irradiated on the outside of the detector array 2. The intensity detecting module of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device is preferably arranged between the emitting device and the detector array 2 such that the intensity detecting module will be irradiated by the redundant beam and send a detecting signal.

(30) The intensity detecting module of the X-ray inspection system adopts the redundant beam of the X-ray beam, and the intensity detecting module is basically free from the influence of the X-ray emitting device and the inspected object 4, so that the monitoring result of the X-ray beam intensity can be more accurate and reliable. Further, since the intensity detecting module has no influence on the working beam, thereby having no influence on the intensity of the working beam arriving at the inspected object 4 and the detector array 2.

(31) In the first embodiment, the X-ray emitting device is an electron accelerator 1. In other non-shown embodiments, the X-ray emitting device can be other X-ray emitting devices, such as an X-ray tube, etc.

(32) The collimator 3 is located between the X-ray emitting device and the detector array 2. The collimator 3 is adopted to shield the redundant beam. When an inspected object 4 is inspected, the collimator 3 is located between the X-ray emitting device and the inspected object 4, and the working beam of the X-ray beam irradiates the inspected object 4 and the detector array 2 after passing through the collimator 3.

(33) When the X-ray inspection system is provided with the collimator 3, the intensity detecting module is located between the X-ray emitting device and the collimator 3. Owing to this arrangement, the direct electromagnetic interference from the electron accelerator 1 is avoided, and meanwhile the monitoring result of the X-ray beam intensity will not be influenced by the arrangement of the collimator 3.

(34) Preferably, the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device includes a plurality of intensity detecting modules which are symmetrically arranged relative to the working beam. By means of the plurality of intensity detecting modules which are symmetrically arranged relative to the working beam, when the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray emitting device deflects, the detecting signals sent by the intensity detecting modules can compensate each other, so that the monitoring result of the X-ray beam intensity can be more accurate and reliable compared with that when only a single intensity detecting module is arranged. Two intensity detecting modules are specifically arranged in the first embodiment. In other non-shown embodiments, more intensity detecting modules, for example 4, can be arranged.

(35) In the first embodiment, the working beam is a fan-shaped beam, and the intensity detecting module is located at a side of the fan-shaped beam. Owing to this arrangement, the intensity detecting module is located at a main beam of the X-ray beam and is closer to the central position of the X-ray beam, so that information of the X-ray beam identify can be provided more effectively.

(36) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sector of the fan-shaped beam is perpendicular to the ground, one side where the electron accelerator 1 is located is a front side, one side where the detector array 2 is located is a back side, one intensity detecting module (called a left detecting module and a right detecting module below) is respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the sector of the fan-shaped beam. Further, the left detecting module and the right detecting module are placed between the electron accelerator 1 and the collimator 3 and are adopted to generate the X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal after transmitting the obtained detecting signals to the data processing module for merging and converting.

(37) The left detecting module and the right detecting module are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the sector of the fan-shaped beam and are located at positions capable of being directly irradiated by the redundant beam, so as to monitor the X-ray beam intensity via the redundant beam. The left detecting module and the right detecting module are isolated by a certain gap, and the width of the gap is large enough to guarantee that the working beam can be irradiated within a range required by the width of the detector array 2 without being influenced.

(38) The left detecting module and the right detecting module are two detectors having symmetrical geometrical shapes and the same structure. In a direction perpendicular to the sector of the X-ray beam, when an enough sensitive size satisfies left and right deflection of the fan-shaped beam, the coverage widths of the sensitive volumes of the two detectors are still not exceeded. The intensity detecting module can have a plurality of implementation manners. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle of the intensity detecting module of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a sectional structure principle of a C-C direction of the intensity detecting module as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate the working principle of the intensity detecting module in the first embodiment with one of the left detecting module and the right detecting module as an example. In FIG. 4, L represents the incidence direction of the X-ray beam.

(39) As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, both the left detecting module and the right detecting module are scintillation detecting modules 5. Each scintillation detecting module 5 includes a scintillator 51, a photosensor 52, a shielding layer 53 and a reflecting layer (not shown). Further, one end of the scintillator 51 is coupled with the photosensor 52 and is located between the photosensor 52 and the working beam. The shielding layer 53 is arranged on the periphery of the photosensor 52 to shield the photosensor 52 from the damage of scattered X-rays. The shielding layer 53 is preferably made of a heavy metal. The reflecting layer is wrapped on a non-coupling surface on which the scintillator 51 is not coupled with the photosensor 52. The material of the reflecting layer can be titanium dioxide. In addition, a respective light sealing structure is arranged in the scintillation detecting modules 5, and the scintillator 51 and the photosensor 52 are arranged in the corresponding sealing structure which is guaranteed to donot leak light.

(40) The scintillator 51 (i.e., a sensitive volume) of the scintillation detecting module 5 is preferably made of a scintillation crystal. The length between the scintillator 51 and the photosensor 52 is preferably large enough to guarantee that the deflection of the fan-shaped beam will not arrive at the position of the photosensor 52. The scintillator 51 is preferably perpendicular to the incidence direction L of the X-ray beam.

(41) When the scintillation detecting module 5 detects the X-ray beam intensity, the X-rays are irradiated onto the scintillation crystal to emit twinkling light, the photosensor 52 absorbs the twinkling light to generate an electric signal, and the electric signal output by the photosensor 52 is input to the data processing module for subsequent processing.

(42) The scintillation detecting module 5 has the advantages of large sensitive medium density and high sensitivity.

(43) FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device of the X-ray inspection system as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the data processing module is coupled with the intensity detecting modules, the detecting signals output by the intensity detecting modules are transmitted to the data processing module together, after the data processing module receives the detecting signals of the intensity detecting modules, the data processing module merges and processes the detecting signals herein and outputs the X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal.

(44) As shown in FIG. 5, the data processing module includes an integrating amplifier and a signal conversion device. Further, the integrating amplifier is coupled with the intensity detecting modules to receive the detecting signals sent by the intensity detecting modules and output a voltage signal. The amplitude of the voltage signal is in direct proportion to the X-ray beam intensity. The signal conversion device is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal of the integrating amplifier and output the X-ray beam intensity monitoring signal.

(45) As shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the signal conversion device specifically includes a voltage comparator and an analog-digital converter. The voltage comparator and the analog-digital converter are independently converted.

(46) The voltage comparator is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal of the integrating amplifier and output a level signal to serve as the dose monitoring signal for the X-ray beam. A reference voltage of the voltage comparator is determined according to regulated X-ray dose intensity. The dose monitoring signal is adopted to control whether to cut off the power supply of the X-ray emitting device or alarm or not.

(47) The analog-digital converter is coupled with the integrating amplifier to receive the voltage signal of the integrating amplifier and output a digital signal to serve as the brightness correction signal for correcting signal values of the detector array.

(48) The X-ray beam intensity monitoring device of the X-ray inspection system in the first embodiment can simultaneously perform dose monitoring and brightness monitoring, thereby improving the service efficiency of the X-ray beam intensity monitoring device. Moreover, the intensity of the working beam is not influenced by dose monitoring anymore, and the electromagnetic interference from the electron accelerator 1 is avoided. The brightness monitoring is not influenced by the inspected object 4 or the mechanical deformation of the system anymore.

Embodiment 2

(49) The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment as follows: in the second embodiment, the scintillation detecting module 5 in the first embodiment is replaced by a gas detecting module 6 to serve as the intensity detecting module. Further, the left detecting module and the right detecting module respectively adopt a gas detecting module 6 with the same structure to detect the intensity of the X-ray beam.

(50) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle in an overlooking direction of an intensity detecting module of an X-ray beam intensity monitoring device in an X-ray inspection system in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure principle of the intensity detecting module as shown in FIG. 6, observed in a direction perpendicular to an X-ray fan-shaped beam. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate the working principle of the intensity detecting module in the second embodiment with one of the left detecting module and the right detecting module as an example. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, L represents the incidence direction of the X-ray beam.

(51) See FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the gas detecting module 6 includes a gas ionization chamber. The gas ionization chamber includes two plate electrodes, which are respectively a high-voltage plate electrode 61 and a collection plate electrode 62. The two plate electrodes are perpendicular to the incidence direction L of the X-ray beam. The high-voltage plate electrode 61 is connected to high-voltage electricity and is irradiated by the redundant beam, and the collection plate electrode 62 is coupled with the data processing module. A working gas 63 is located between the high-voltage plate electrode 61 and the collection plate electrode 62. The high-voltage plate electrode 61, the collection plate electrode 62 and the working gas 63 need to be in a sealing structure.

(52) The advantages of using the gas detecting module 6 as the intensity detecting module lie in that no irradiation damage is caused, a detection area is enlarged easily and the cost is low.

(53) For other non-illustrated portions in the second embodiment, please refer to relevant contents in the first embodiment. The portions will not be repeated redundantly herein.

(54) Finally, it should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than limiting them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they could still make modifications to the embodiments of the present invention or make equivalent substitutions to a part of technical features; and these modifications or substitutions shall fall into the scope of the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the technical solutions of the present invention.