U.S. patent application number 15/042185 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for radiation imaging system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC. Invention is credited to John T. Bobbitt, III, Matthew D. Folsom, David M. Immel, Jean R. Plummer, Michael G. Serrato.
Application Number | 20160170034 15/042185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55487349 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160170034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bobbitt, III; John T. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2016 |
RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM
Abstract
A radiation imaging system includes a casing and a camera
disposed inside the casing. A first field of view through the
casing exposes the camera to light from outside of the casing. An
image plate is disposed inside the casing, and a second field of
view through the casing to the image plate exposes the image plate
to high-energy particles produced by a radioisotope outside of the
casing. An optical reflector that is substantially transparent to
the high-energy particles produced by the radioisotope is disposed
with respect to the camera and the image plate to reflect light to
the camera and to allow the high-energy particles produced by the
radioisotope to pass through the optical reflector to the image
plate.
Inventors: |
Bobbitt, III; John T.;
(Evans, GA) ; Immel; David M.; (Augusta, GA)
; Folsom; Matthew D.; (Aiken, SC) ; Plummer; Jean
R.; (Aiken, SC) ; Serrato; Michael G.; (Aiken,
SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC |
Aiken |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55487349 |
Appl. No.: |
15/042185 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14559419 |
Dec 3, 2014 |
9291719 |
|
|
15042185 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
250/475.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01T 1/169 20130101;
G01T 7/00 20130101; G01T 1/00 20130101; G01T 1/08 20130101; G01T
1/2907 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01T 1/08 20060101
G01T001/08; G01T 7/00 20060101 G01T007/00 |
Goverment Interests
FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under
Contract No. DE-AC09-08SR22470, awarded by the U.S. Department of
Energy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A radiation imaging system, comprising: a first casing; a camera
disposed inside said first casing; a first field of view through
said first casing to said camera, wherein said first field of view
exposes said camera to light from outside of said first casing; an
image plate disposed inside said first easing; and a second field
of view through said first casing to said image plate, wherein said
second field of view is substantially perpendicular to said first
field of view and exposes said image plate to high-energy particles
produced by a radioisotope outside of said first casing.
2. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a camera detent
between said first casing and said camera.
3. The system as in claim 1, further comprising an access port into
said first casing, wherein said image plate fits through said
access port.
4. The system as in claim further comprising an image plate detent
between said first casing and said image plate.
5. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a focuser inside
said first casing, and a conical aperture through said focuser that
defines said second field of view.
6. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a focuser inside
said first casing, an aperture through said focuser, and an insert
in said aperture that defines said second field of view.
7. The system as in claim 1, further comprising means for
releasably attaching said first casing to a second casing.
8. A radiation imaging system, comprising: a first casing; a camera
disposed inside said first casing; a first field of view through
said first casing to said camera, wherein said first field of view
exposes said camera to light from outside of said first casing; an
image plate holder disposed at least partially inside said first
casing; an image plate retained by said image plate holder inside
said first casing; a second field of view through said first casing
to said image plate, wherein said second field of view exposes said
image plate to high-energy particles energy from an object of
interest outside of said first casing; and a handle operably
connected to said image plate holder, wherein said handle extends
at least partially outside of said first casing.
9. The system as in claim 8, further comprising an optical
reflector that is substantially transparent to the high-energy
particles produced by the object of interest, wherein said optical
reflector is disposed with respect to said camera and said image
plate to reflect light to said camera and to allow the high-energy
particles produced by the object of interest to pass through said
optical reflector to said image plate.
10. The system as in claim 8, wherein said first field of view is
substantially perpendicular to said second field of view.
11. The system as in claim 8, further comprising a focuser inside
said first casing, an aperture through said focuser, and an insert
in said aperture that defines said second field of view.
12. The system as in claim 8, further comprising means for
attaching said first casing to a second casing.
13. A radiation imaging system, comprising: a first casing; a
camera disposed inside said first casing, a first field of view
through said first casing to said camera, wherein said first field
of view exposes said camera to light from outside of said first
casing; an image plate disposed inside said first casing; and a
second field of view through said first casing to said image plate,
wherein said second field of view exposes said image plate to
energy emitted from an object of interest outside of said first
casing.
14. The system as in claim 13, wherein said first field of view is
substantially perpendicular to said second field of view.
15. The system as in claim 13, further comprising a camera detent
between said first casing and said camera.
16. The system as in claim 13, further comprising an access port
through said first casing, wherein said image plate its through
said access port.
17. The system as in claim 13, further comprising an image plate
holder disposed at least partially inside said first casing,
wherein said image plate is retained by said image plate holder
inside said first casing.
18. The system as in claim 13, further comprising means for
attaching said first casing to a second casing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/559,419 filed on Dec. 3, 2014,
and which is incorporated fully herein by reference in its entirety
and for all purposes. Any disclaimer that may have occurred during
prosecution of the above-referenced application is hereby expressly
rescinded.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally involves a system for
imaging radiation, such as high-energy particles (e.g., x-rays or
gamma rays) produced by a radioisotope. In particular embodiments,
the system may overlay a radiation image with a still or video
image to map radioisotopes in a particular area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The use of radioactive material may result in radiation
and/or contamination areas in such areas as reactors, fuel and
isotope processing facilities, laboratories, glove boxes,
isolators, and other rooms in which the radioactive material is
handled. The location and amount of the resulting radiation and
contamination may initially be unknown. Although portable sensors
are available to survey the radiation and contamination areas,
these surveys necessarily expose the personnel conducting the
surveys to potentially harmful levels of radiation and
contamination. As a result, remote monitoring and characterization
of the radiation and contamination areas may be used to reduce the
risk of personal exposure to ionizing radiation during initial
assessment, remediation, and long-term monitoring of the affected
areas.
[0005] Various systems are available to assist in remotely
monitoring radiation and contamination areas. In some systems, a
sensor may be positioned in a suspected radiation or contamination
area to detect and locate any ionizing radiation present. The
sensor may be later retrieved, and the survey results may be
manually plotted or overlaid on a diagram or photograph of the area
to map the specific locations and levels of ionizing radiation
found. In other systems, multiple separate sensors may be
simultaneously or serially positioned in a suspected radiation or
contamination area, with each sensor having a different sensitivity
and range for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation.
Alternately, a single sensor may be positioned in a suspected
radiation or contamination area, and a series of surveys may be
conducted with the sensor as the sensitivity and range of the
sensor is adjusted to accurately detect and quantify the unknown
level of ionizing radiation present.
[0006] The need exists for an improved system that may overcome one
or more disadvantages of existing systems. For example, an improved
system may allow a single sensor to simultaneously survey the
radiation or contamination area while capturing still or video
images of the area being surveyed so that the survey results may be
directly mapped to the still or video images. Alternately, or in
addition, an improved system may enhance modification of a sensor
so a single sensor may conduct multiple surveys, with varying
sensitivity and range limits, without adjusting the position of the
sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below
in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] One embodiment of the present invention is a radiation
imaging system that includes a first casing and a camera disposed
inside the first casing. A first field of view through the first
casing to the camera exposes the camera to light from outside of
the first casing. An image plate is disposed inside the first
casing, and a second field of view through the first casing to the
image plate exposes the image plate to high-energy particles
produced by a radioisotope outside of the first casing. An optical
reflector that is substantially transparent to the high-energy
particles produced by the radioisotope is disposed with respect to
the camera and the image plate to reflect light to the camera and
to allow the high-energy particles produced by the radioisotope to
pass through the optical reflector to the image plate.
[0009] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a
radiation imaging system that includes a first casing and a camera
disposed inside the first casing. A first field of view through the
first casing to the camera exposes the camera to light from outside
of the first casing. An image plate holder is disposed at least
partially inside the first casing, and an image plate is retained
by the image plate holder inside the first casing. A second field
of view through the first casing to the image plate exposes the
image plate to high-energy particles produced by a radioisotope
outside of the first casing. The system further includes an access
port through the first casing, and the image plate holder fits
through the access port.
[0010] A still further embodiment of the present invention is a
radiation imaging system that includes a first casing and a camera
disposed inside the first casing. A first field of view through the
first casing to the camera exposes the camera to light from outside
of the first casing. An image plate is disposed inside the first
casing, and a second field of view through the first casing to the
image plate exposes the image plate to high-energy particles
produced by a radioisotope outside of the first casing. A focuser
is inside the first casing. The system further includes an aperture
through the focuser, and an insert in the aperture defines the
second field of view.
[0011] Those of ordinary skill in the art better appreciate the
features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review
of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set
forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a radiation imaging
system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is back perspective view of the system shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is front-bottom perspective view of the system shown
in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is top perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 1
with the cover removed;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
system shown in FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side cross-section view of the system shown in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side perspective cross-section view of the
system shown in Fig, 1;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an image plate holder and
image plate according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-section view of the image
plate holder and image plate shown in FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a focuser holder and
focuser according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side perspective cross-section view of the
focuser holder and focuser shown in FIG. 10;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side cross-section view of the system shown in
FIG. 1 with the focuser holder and focuser shown in FIG. 10;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a side cross-section view of a focuser according
to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a representative perspective view of a focuser
and image plate according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a representative illustration of multiple images
on an image plate according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a radiation imaging system
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments
of the invention, one or snore examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical
and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like
or similar designations in the drawings and description have been
used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. As used
herein, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used
interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are
not intended to signify location or importance of the individual
components,
[0030] Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
variations can be made to embodiments of the present invention
without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance,
features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be
used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such
modifications and variations as come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0031] Embodiments of the present invention include a radiation
imaging system. As used herein, "radiation" means high-energy
particles, such as alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons,
x-rays, gamma rays, or UV rays, produced by a radioisotope. Various
embodiments of the system combine portability and flexibility in a
single, cost-effective sensor suitable for use in diverse
environments having widely varying space limitations and
anticipated exposures.
[0032] FIGS. 1-4 provide perspective views of a radiation imaging
system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIGS. 14, the system 10 generally includes a casing 12
that defines an interior volume 14 to shield internal components
from exposure to contamination. The particular size and shape of
the casing 12 may vary according to the anticipated environment and
radiation level. For example, a larger casing generally provides a
more stable platform that is less susceptible to inadvertent
movement during or between surveys. In addition, a larger casing
generally provides a correspondingly larger interior volume that
may accommodate larger internal components and/or more internal
shielding for the internal components, thus reducing the labor and
costs associated with installing temporary shielding around the
system 10. Conversely, a smaller casing may be more suitable for
smaller environments, such as a glove box, or lower radiation level
environments in which portability is more important than internal
shielding. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the present invention is not limited to any particular size or
shape for the casing 12 unless specifically recited in the
claims.
[0033] In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the casing
12 generally defines a 6-sided cube with a removable cover 16 that
shields ambient light to the internal components while also
providing enhanced access to the internal components. The cube
shape enhances stability of the casing 12 by allowing the casing 12
to be positioned on any generally flat surface. The casing 12 may
be constructed from plastic or metal, depending on weight,
shielding, and durability considerations. In particular
embodiments, the casing 12 may be a single niece construction, such
as through 3D printing. A single-piece, construction reduces
manufacturing costs while also providing enhanced strength,
seamless construction for reduced light penetration, and improved
internal tolerances compared to a multi-piece construction.
[0034] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 16 may be
connected to the casing 12 with one or more fasteners 18 to allow
the cover 16 to be easily removed to facilitate access to
components inside the casing 12. In addition, the cover 16 may
include one or more indices to facilitate accurate alignment of the
system 10 in the environment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the cover 16 may include a single alignment index 20 that
bisects the center of the cover 16 and extends from front to back
to generally provide a reference for aiming the system 10 in the
environment. Alternately, or in addition, the cover 16 may include
a pair of field of view indices 22 that generally correspond to a
field of view for the system 10, as will be explained in more
detail.
[0035] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the bottom of the casing 12
may include one or more mounts for attaching the casing 12 to a
tripod, legs, or other type of stand to elevate and stabilize the
casing 12. For example, the casing 12 may include a tripod mount 24
with internal or external threads to attach the casing 12 to a
conventional tripod commonly used with cameras. Alternately, or in
addition, the casing 12 may include any number of foot mounts 26
with internal or external threads suitable for connecting the
casing 12 to external feet or legs, as desired.
[0036] FIG. 4 provides a top perspective view of the system 10
shown in FIG. 1 with the cover 16 removed, and FIG. 5 provides an
enlarged perspective view of a portion of the system 10 shown in
FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the casing 12 may define a camera
receptacle 28 in the interior volume 14 that can receive and hold a
camera 30 capable of recording still or video images. A suitable
camera 30 within the scope of various embodiments of the present
invention may be a GoPro.RTM. Hero3 camera, although the present
invention is not limited to any particular camera. Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 5, the casing 12 may further define one or more optical
openings 32 through the casing 12 to allow a camera lens 34 and/or
camera sensors, such as light and distance sensors, to see through
the casing 12. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a shutter button 36
may be operably connected to the camera 30 and extend outside the
casing 12. In this manner, the casing 12 may protect the camera 30
from contamination present in the environment, and the shutter
button 36 allows for optional manual operation of the camera 30
from outside the casing 12.
[0037] As will be described, consistent alignment of the camera 30
with respect to other internal components will assist in accurately
mapping the survey results onto still or video images. As a result,
the system 10 may include additional internal components to protect
and hold the camera 30 in position without increasing the
manufacturing costs normally associated with achieving comparable
tolerances. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the system 10 may
include a camera cover 38 that fits on top of the camera 30 inside
the casing 12 to protect the camera 30 from inadvertent contact and
restrain the camera 30 from vertical movement inside the casing 12.
Alternately, or in addition, the system 10 may include a camera
detent 40, spring, or other press fitting between the casing 12 and
the camera 30 to restrain the camera 30 from longitudinal or
lateral movement inside the casing 12.
[0038] FIG. 6 provides a side cross-section view of the system 10
shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 provides a side perspective
cross-section view of the system 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, the camera 30 is positioned inside the casing 12 so
that the camera lens 34 generally faces downward. As a result, a
field of view 42 through the casing 12 to the camera 30 exposes the
camera 30 to light 44 from outside of the casing 12. FIGS. 6 and 7
also show various views of an image plate holder 46 and an image
plate 48, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS.
8 and 9, and a focuser holder 50 and a focuser 52, as will be
described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 10-12.
[0039] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of the image plate holder
46 and image plate 48 according to one embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 9 provides a perspective cross-section view of
the image plate holder 46 and image plate 48 shown in FIG. 8. As
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the image plate holder 46 provides a
storage cartridge for the image plate 48 to facilitate installation
and removal of the image plate holder 46 and image plate 48 with
respect to the casing 12. A handle 54 may be operably connected to
the image plate holder 46, and, as shown in FIG. 2, an access port
56 into the casing 12 may allow the image plate holder 46 and image
plate 48 to fit through the access port 56 and into the casing 12,
with the handle 54 extending at least partially outside of the
casing 12. In this manner, installation and removal of the image
plate holder 46 and image plate 48 with respect to the casing 12
may be accomplished during repetitive surveys without disturbing
the position of the system 10 in the environment.
[0040] The actual size and construction of the image plate holder
46 may vary according to the particular casing 12 design and
characteristics of the particular image plate 48 being used. For
example, the image plate 48 may include one or more radiation
sensitive film layers sandwiched between attenuation layers. The
geometry, number, and thickness of the film layers and attenuation
layers may be selected based on the anticipated source and/or
energy level present in the radiation. In particular embodiments,
for example, the film layers may include x-ray imaging photographic
film used in conventional medical applications. Alternately or in
addition, the film layers may include Phosphorous Storage Plate
(PSP) technology as described in U.S. Patent Publication
2012/0112099 and assigned to the same assignee as the present
application, the entirety of which is incorporated herein for all
purposes. The attenuation layers may be similarly selected to
partially shield radiation that passes through the film layers.
Suitable attenuation layers may include, for example, metal,
plastic, or glass, depending on the anticipated source and/or
energy level present.
[0041] The attenuation layers produce a different exposure for each
film layer exposed to radiation. For example, radiation exposed to
the image plate 48 will produce the largest exposure in the
outermost film layer, with progressively decreasing exposures to
each interior film layer, depending on the particular attenuation
layer between each film layer. The number of film layers and
attenuation coefficients for the attenuation layers may be varied
as desired to achieve a desired sensitivity to radiation and/or
discrimination of different energy levels. After an exposure to
radiation, the image plate 48 may be removed from the casing 12 and
image plate holder 46 for analysis, and the amount and/or energy
level of the radiation present may be calculated based on the known
attenuation layers and different exposures received by each film
layer.
[0042] The image plate holder 46 may be constructed from tungsten,
copper, lead, aluminum, aluminum alloys, plastic, or other material
that may supplement the shielding around the image plate 46. The
thickness of the image plate holder 46 may be selected or adjusted
to accommodate the thickness of the image plate 18 while still
holding the image plate 48 in the desired geometry with respect to
the focuser 52 to produce the desired focus and size on the image
plate 48. For example, referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, the image
plate holder 46 may include two complementary sections 58 connected
by a hinge 60, with the thickness of the sections 60 selected to
hold the image plate 48 securely in place. The image plate holder
46 may further include a locating index 62 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7)
that engages with a complementary image plate detent 64, spring, or
other press fitting between the casing 12 and the image plate
holder 46 or image plate 48 to provide a positive indication that
the image plate holder 46 is fully and properly installed inside
the casing 12.
[0043] FIG. 10 provides a front perspective view of the focuser
holder 50 and focuser 52 according to one embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 11 provides a side perspective cross-section
view of the focuser holder 50 and focuser 52 shown in FIG. 10. As
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the focuser holder 50 provides a storage
cartridge for the focuser 52 to facilitate installation and removal
of the focuser holder 50 and focuser 52. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6,
and 7, an access port 66 into the casing 12 may allow the focuser
holder 50 and focuser 52 to fit through the access port 66 and into
the casing 12. A focuser bias 68, shim, plug, spring, or other
press fitting may then be installed in the access port 66 to hold
the focuser holder 50 and focuser 52 securely in place, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0044] FIG. 12 provides a side cross-section view of the system 10
shown in FIG. 1 with the focuser 52 shown in FIG. 10. As shown in
FIGS. 10-12, a conical aperture 70 through the focuser 52 defines a
field of view 72 to the image plate 48, and the focuser holder 50
and focuser 52 combine to shield the image plate 48 from radiation
outside of the field of view 72. The size and geometry of the
aperture 70 and resulting field of view 72 with respect to the
image plate 48 may be selected based on the anticipated amount
and/or energy level of the radiation present. For example,
increasing the size or conical angle of the aperture 70 increases
the field of view 72 through the focuser 52 to the image plate 48.
A larger field of view 72 allows a larger area to be surveyed with
each exposure and also allows more radiation to reach the image
plate 48, effectively increasing the sensitivity of the system 10
to lower radiation levels. The larger field of view 72, however,
may also result in images that are blurred or less defined,
especially when higher levels of radiation are present. A larger
distance between the aperture 70 and the image plate 48 generally
increases spatial resolution and enhances definition in the
image.
[0045] In particular embodiments, the focuser holder 50 and focuser
52 may be a single, integral piece. Alternately, the focuser holder
50 and focuser 52 may be separate components, as shown in FIGS. 6,
7, 10, and 11, allowing the focuser holder 50 to be used with
multiple different focusers 52 having different size apertures 70
and/or numbers of apertures 70. In still further embodiments, the
focuser 52 may include an insert 74 in the aperture 70 that further
narrows or defines, the field of view 72 to the image plate 48. The
focuser holder 50, focuser 52, and insert 74 may be constructed
from tungsten, copper, lead, aluminum, aluminum alloys, plastic, or
other material suitable for shielding the radiation present. The
thickness of the focuser holder 50 may be selected or adjusted
based on the shielding desired for the anticipated radiation
levels. Alternately or in addition, the thickness of the focuser
holder 50 may be selected or adjusted to accommodate the thickness
of the focuser 52, and insert 74 if present, while still holding
the focuser 52 in the desired geometry with respect to the image
plate 48 to produce the desired focus and size on the image plate
48. The use of different focusers 52 having different sized
apertures 70 and/or different inserts 74 used with the same
aperture 70 thus allow the size and geometry of the aperture 70 and
resulting field of view to be easily adjusted according to the
anticipated amount and/or energy level of the radiation
present.
[0046] The interaction between the camera 30, image plate 48, and
focuser 52 will now be described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. As
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the field view 42 for the camera 30 is
generally vertical, and the field of view 72 through the focuser 52
is generally horizontal, making the two fields of view 42, 72
substantially perpendicular to one another. An optical reflector 76
that is substantially transparent to high energy particles 78
produced by a radioisotope 80 is disposed with respect to the
camera 30 and the image plate 48. The optical reflector 76 may be,
for example, a mirror made from glass, plastic, Mylar, or another
suitable material that reflects light 44 but is transparent to high
energy particles 78. The optical reflector 76 is positioned to
reflect light 44 to the camera 30 while also allowing high-energy
particles 78 produced by the radioisotope 80 to pass through the
optical reflector 76 to the image plate 48. The optical reflector
76 thus reflects the field of view 42 for the camera 10 to be
coaxial with the field of view 72 for the image plate 48. In this
manner, the optical reflector 76 removes any parallax error between
the camera 30 and the image plate 48 to allow the image produced by
the image plate 48 to be more accurately overlaid on the still or
video images produced by the camera 30.
[0047] FIG. 13 provides a side cross-section view of a focuser 52
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In
this particular embodiment, the focuser 52 includes a plurality of
conical apertures 70 through the focuser 52 that define a
corresponding number of fields of view 72 to the image plate 48.
The additional apertures 72 and relatively narrow conical angle of
each aperture 72 allow each field of view to capture a different
portion of the area being surveyed. In this manner, the focuser 52
blocks radiation from reaching the image plate 48 except through
the narrow conical angle of each aperture 72. As a result, this
embodiment may be particularly suitable to allow high energy
imaging of a large composite view in anticipated high radiation
environments.
[0048] FIG. 14 provides an exemplary perspective view of a
multi-aperture focuser 52, as shown in FIG. 13, and image plate 48
according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15
provides an exemplary illustration of multiple images on the image
plate 48 that might result from such an embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 14, each aperture 70 produces a separate field of view 72 to
the image plate, with each field of view capturing a separate
portion of the environment. As shown in FIG. 15, the angle of the
apertures 70 direct the field of view to separate locations on the
image plate 48, producing a composite of images based on each field
of view 72. As a result, this particular embodiment may be useful,
for example, when the area being surveyed is particularly large,
includes high radiation levels, or includes multiple different
radiation sources.
[0049] FIG. 16 provides a perspective view of a radiation imaging
system 110 according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 16, the system 110 generally includes
multiple systems 10 previously described with respect to FIGS.
1-15. The casing 12 for each system 10 includes means for
releasably attaching one casing 12 to another casing 12. The
structure for releasably attaching one casing 12 to another casing
12 may be, for example, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, snaps,
bolts, screws, or any other mechanical device known in the art for
mechanically connecting one object to another. As a result, the
system 110 shown in FIG. 16 may be used to cover a larger area
during a single survey. Alternately, or in addition, multiple
images generated from this system 110 may be used to produce a
3-dimensional map of the survey area.
[0050] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
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