Apparatus for inspecting a group of containers and method of using same
| DWPI Title: Inspection apparatus for inspecting presence of hazardous or radiological material in containers used in e.g. cargo ship, has deployable detector that is provided with sensor which measures characteristic of containers |
| Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a plurality of containers are provided. Each container has an outer surface for housing at least one material therein. The techniques provided involve at least one inspection vehicle and at least one detector. Each inspection vehicle has a plurality of wheels for movably positioning about the plurality of containers. The wheels may have at least one magnet for selectively adhering to the outer surface of at least one of the containers whereby the inspection vehicle traverses the container(s). The detector is positionable proximate at least one of the containers. The detector may be deployable from the inspection vehicle to a position adjacent the container(s). The detector has at least one sensor for measuring at least one characteristic of the plurality of containers. At least one base station may be provided for communicating with the inspection vehicle(s) and/or detector(s). |
| Use: Inspection apparatus of inspection system for inspecting presence of hazardous or radiological material in containers used in cargo ship. Can also be used in truck and transport vehicle. |
| Advantage: The apparatus can effectively detect presence of hazardous or radiological material in the containers. The sensor and the housing of the apparatus are provided with reduced dimensions so that deployable detector can fit within reduced space. |
| Novelty: The apparatus has inspection vehicle (108) with several wheels for movably positioning several containers (102). A deployable detector (110) is extendable from the inspection vehicle. The deployable detector has sensor that measures characteristic of the containers. The apparatus is operatively linked to other apparatus to cooperatively inspect the containers. |
| Filed: 1/6/2009 |
| Application Number: US2009348926A |
| Tech ID: SD 10758.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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