Visible X-ray indication and detection system for X-ray backscatter applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9594033-B2
Application number	US-201414338322-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2014
Priority date	Jul 22, 2014
Publication date	Mar 14, 2017
Grant date	Mar 14, 2017

Abstract

An X-ray backscatter indication and detection system, including an object disposed with respect to a target area targeted by X-rays, such that X-rays that backscatter from the target area strike the surface of the object. The surface of the object includes an X-ray sensitive indicator substance that fluoresces with a visible light when contacted by backscattered X-rays.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An X-ray leak detector comprising:
an X-ray generator for generating X-rays that strike a target area;
a shield disposed in front of the X-ray generator, the shield configured to block X-rays backscattered from the target area;
a first object disposed behind the shield relative to the target area; and
an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution disposed on the first object, the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution configured to fluoresce with a visible light when X-rays strike the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

2. The X-ray leak detector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera operatively disposed with respect to the first object such that the camera can detect the visible light resulting from fluorescence of the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

3. The X-ray leak detector of claim 2 , further comprising:
a computer that stores an image of the visible light and analyzes the visible light to identify a presence of X-rays on the target area.

4. The X-ray leak detector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second object disposed behind the shield relative to the target area, and further disposed opposite the first object relative to the X-ray generator; and
a second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution disposed on the second object, the second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution configured to fluoresce with the visible light when X-rays strike the second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

5. The X-ray leak detector of claim 4 , wherein the first object is disposed to receive first X-rays leaked from a collimator of the X-ray generator and the second object is disposed to receive second X-rays leaked from a location where a cable exits from the X-ray generator.

6. A method of detecting X-ray leaks from an X-ray leak detector, the method comprising:
generating X-rays from an X-ray generator, wherein the X-rays strike a target area;
placing a shield disposed in front of the X-ray generator, wherein placing the shield comprises blocking X-rays backscattered from the target area;
placing an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution on a first object disposed behind the shield relative to the target area, the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution configured to fluoresce with a visible light when X-rays strike the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
detecting, with a camera operatively disposed with respect to the first object, the visible light resulting from fluorescence of the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
storing, at a computer, an image of the visible light; and
analyzing, by the computer, the visible light to identify a presence of X-rays on the target area.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
placing a second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution on a second object, the second object disposed behind the shield relative to the target area, and further disposed opposite the first object relative to the X-ray generator, the second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution configured to fluoresce with the visible light when X-rays strike the second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein placing an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution on a first object comprises disposing the first object to receive first X-rays leaked from a collimator of the X-ray generator, and wherein placing a second X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution on a second object comprises disposing the second object to receive second X-rays leaked from a location where a cable exits from the X-ray generator.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein placing an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution on a first object comprises using an aerosol device to spray a surface of the first object.

12. An X-ray monitor comprising:
an X-ray measuring tool comprising:
a housing;
a sensor target area on the housing and configured to receive an X-ray flux; and
an X-ray detector disposed inside the housing and configured to measure the X-ray flux; and

an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution disposed on the sensor target area, the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution configured to fluoresce with a visible light when X-rays strike the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution.

13. The X-ray monitor of claim 12 , wherein the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution further extends past and surrounds the sensor target area.

14. The X-ray monitor of claim 13 , further comprising:
a camera disposed to monitor the visible light; and
a computer connected to the camera, wherein the computer is configured to determine whether an expected amount of X-ray flux is entering the sensor target area based on a characterization of the visible light.

15. The X-ray monitor of claim 14 , further comprising:
a mechanism connected to the computer, the mechanism configured to adjust an orientation of the X-ray measuring tool, and wherein the computer is further configured to command the mechanism to adjust the orientation based on the characterization such that a desired amount of X-ray flux is entering the sensor target area.

16. A method of using an X-ray monitor, the X-ray monitor comprising: an X-ray measuring tool comprising: a housing; a sensor target area on the housing and configured to receive an X-ray flux; and an X-ray detector disposed inside the housing and configured to measure the X-ray flux; and an X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution disposed on the sensor target area; the method comprising:
pointing the X-ray monitor towards a source of X-rays, whereby the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution fluoresces with a visible light when the X-rays strike the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution; and
adjusting an orientation of the X-ray monitor to increase a luminescence of the visible light from the sensor target area, whereby an increased flux of the X-rays will pass through the sensor target area into the X-ray detector.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution further extends past and surrounds the sensor target area.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
monitoring the visible light with a camera; and
determining, using a computer connected to the camera, whether an expected amount of X-ray flux is entering the sensor target area based on a characterization of the visible light.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
using a mechanism, connected to the computer, to adjust an orientation of the X-ray measuring tool based on the characterization such that a desired amount of X-ray flux is entering the sensor target area.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
spraying the X-ray fluorescent Q-dot solution onto the sensor target area using an aerosol device.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Georgeson Gary E

Classifications

• G01T1/10

  Luminescent dosimeters · CPC title

• G01T1/16

  Measuring radiation intensity (G01T1/29 takes precedence {; self-powered detectors G01T3/006; using an ionisation chamber filled with a liquid or solid, e.g. frozen liquid, dielectric G01T3/008}) · CPC title

• G01T7/00

  Details of radiation-measuring instruments · CPC title

• G01T1/20

  with scintillation detectors · CPC title

• G01N2223/0766

  X-ray fluorescence with indicator, tags · CPC title