	US 7,519,152 B2
	Inspection system with material identification
Richard C. Smith, Pinellas Park, Fla. (US); Robert W. Madden, Seminole, Fla. (US); and James M. Connelly, St. Petersburg, Fla. (US)
Assigned to L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc., Woburn, Mass. (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/453,546.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/690281, filed on Jun. 14, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/690440, filed on Jun. 14, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0291623 A1, Dec. 28, 2006
Int. Cl. G21K 5/10 (2006.01); G21K 1/04 (2006.01); G01K 1/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 378—69 [378/155; 378/150]

14 Claims

1. An inspection system, comprising:

a) a source assembly comprising:

i) an x-ray source;

b) a detector assembly comprising:

i) a detector; and

ii) a detector collimator, comprising:

A. a first member having an aperture therethrough;

B. a second member having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the second member movably mounted relative to the first member, whereby properties of the detector collimator are varied by selectively positioning an aperture of the second member;

iii) a drive mechanism adapted and arranged to reposition the second member relative to the first member; and

c) a conveyor adapted and arranged to move an item through the inspection system along a plane wherein the drive mechanism is adapted and arranged to reposition the second member relative to the first member by imparting relative motion in the plane between the first member and the second member.