RU2731683C2 - Inspection and vetting complex - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of technical means of non-contact X-ray inspection of large-size objects and can be used to detect illegal hidden contents, such as drugs, explosives, weapons, ammunition, and so forth at various points of passage and control. Purpose of the proposed invention is: simplification of the power supply system from the state network to the MIVC and the platform with large-size objects; eliminating uncomfortable overpasses from scanning process; higher safety of large-size objects and mobile inspection-vetting complex (MIVC) by minimizing the human factor effect on the scanning process. Target is achieved by the fact that during the scanning the MIVC itself stays fixed, and the large-size objects moves on the platform, which moves along the rails laid strictly parallel to the symmetry axis of the MIVC. Own diesel generator set MIVC during scanning is not used.

EFFECT: platform serves as trestle, which enables to scan 100 % of various control objects.

1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of technical means for non-contact X-ray inspection of large-sized objects (CGO) and can be used to detect illegal hidden investments in them, for example, drugs, explosives, weapons, ammunition, etc., at various checkpoints and control.

There are three types of inspection and inspection systems: stationary, easily erected (relocated) and mobile. Mobile inspection systems (MIDK) are considered to be the cheapest in terms of cost and convenient in operation [1].

Virtually all MFAs, both Russian and foreign, are a car chassis with the appropriate X-ray and other equipment installed on it and have a single operating principle [2]. A regulatory document that defines the composition of mobile IDK and regulates their operation, regardless of belonging to a ministry or department, can be [3, p. 3.7].

The essence of the work of the well-known classical MIDK [4, 5], which are analogs, upon arrival at the work site, is as follows:

1. The air pressure in the air springs of the vehicle chassis is released and all equipment is lowered to the minimum permissible height. This is necessary so that when scanning the CGO with a narrow fan-shaped X-ray beam, it is possible to illuminate its lower parts, in particular, the wheels of cars.

2. Own diesel generator set (DGS) is launched to provide power supply to all equipment of the MIDK with three-phase alternating voltage during the scanning of the CGO.

3. The boom and the detector line of the MIDK are deployed, forming the so-called U-shaped "gates", in the alignment of which the controlled KGO is located.

4. The driver-operator carries out direct scanning of the stationary KGO regardless of the direction of movement of the MIDK: forward or backward.

5. After receiving the X-ray image, it is analyzed by the information analysis operator.

The main disadvantages of classic MIDK are:

1. The design and location of the slit diaphragm (collimator) are such that the fan-shaped beam from the X-ray source does not completely shine through the lower parts of the KGO wheels. Namely, they can contain drugs, explosives, etc. prohibited for movement, packed in special spherical containers, which, rolling freely in the wheel cavity, always occupy the lowest position. In known MIDKs, the minimum scanning height from the site surface ("dead" zone) is about 0.2 m-0.4 m, which depends on the direction of the "fan" of the beam.

2. Not the efficiency of power supply of the equipment of the MIDK not from the State Electricity Grid (HPP), but from its own DGU. In [6], the time and financial losses are shown for such a power supply. In particular, temporary losses increase almost threefold (the time for periodic refueling of fuel tanks, repair and maintenance of diesel generators, etc.), and financial losses in the Federal Customs Service alone amount to tens of millions of rubles per year (due to the cost of fuel, current and overhaul of diesel generator sets, etc.).

To the above main drawbacks of the power supply of the MIDK from DGU, you can additionally add the following equally important drawbacks:

- high noise levels and exhaust gases, which contribute to fatigue of shift operators;

- almost constant vibration loads on the elements of the MIDK automobile chassis.

To eliminate the first main drawback, special movable overpasses of the appropriate height are used [7, p. 7.4], which, if necessary, are entered by the CGO so that the fan-shaped beam can illuminate 100% of the object, including the wheels.

To eliminate the second main drawback, the working site is equipped (retrofitted) with a three-phase power supply system not from a diesel generator set, but from a hydroelectric power station [7, p. 15.5]. This version of the construction and operation of the MIDK was taken as a prototype.

In this case, the supply voltage is supplied to the MIDK via a power cable, which can be suspended using appropriate fasteners at a certain height to a cable located parallel to the MIDK along the entire length of the working platform. The cable can also be placed on the corresponding trolleys, which move along the monorail, which is also located at a certain height parallel to the MIDC along the length of the working platform. In both cases, the cable straightens when the MIDK moves from the electrical distribution board, and when moving in the opposite direction to the distribution board, it takes the form of a snake.

Obviously, at unequipped sites and in the field, the MIDK will receive power from its own diesel generator set, and when operating at equipped sites, the MIDK will receive power from the hydroelectric power plant.

However, the prototype also has some disadvantages:

1. The relative complexity and high cost of installing the appropriate supports to accommodate the power cable.

2. For the transmission of 100% of the object, the use of a bulky overpass is mandatory. Overpasses are heavy and very inconvenient to operate and therefore, unfortunately, they are practically not used (especially in winter). At the same time, the quality of the inspection by the CSC is certainly decreasing.

3. When scanning the KGO, the following principle is applied: MIDK moves back and forth relative to the stationary KGO in the alignment of the "gate". In this case, the traffic control operator must set each KGO strictly parallel to the MIDK. The driver-operator, when driving a MIDK truck tractor, is obliged to move the complex also strictly parallel to the KGO (especially when moving backwards). If, due to the human factor, the parallelism between the KGO and the MIDK is at least slightly disturbed, then as a result, the MIDK may hit the KGO with the resulting damage to expensive equipment. Unfortunately, such facts of the MIDK hitting the KGO are not isolated in practice. In order to avoid collisions between MIDK and KGO, a number of MIDK models have systems for emergency stop scanning in case of automatic detection of a dangerous approach of MIDK and KGO. However, in this case, the MIDK moves to the starting point of scanning and the scanning is repeated, which leads to significant losses of time and a decrease in the intensity of using the MIDK.

The objectives of the proposed invention are:

- simplification of the power supply system for a three-phase electric drive;

- exclusion of inconvenient overpasses from the scanning process;

- increasing the safety of KGO and MIDK by minimizing the influence of the human factor on the scanning production process.

To achieve the set goals, it is proposed:

- to use a different scanning principle: MIDK is stationary, but moves back and forth relative to it in the "gate" alignment directly controlled by the CSC, installed on a special platform;

- to move the platform with the KGO along the rails, while the platform, of course, will be slightly higher than the surface of the working platform.

This will allow:

1. Completely exclude overpasses from the operation of MIDK, since the platform itself will function as a stationary overpass.

2. Significantly simplify the process of setting up the CSC in relation to the MIDK. To do this, it is necessary to install stationary guides for the MIDK on the surface of the working platform, which will be parallel to the platform rails. The traffic control operator needs only once to set the MIDK relative to the platform and fix it in the right place. A large-sized object enters the platform, also using the appropriate guides. In this case, when scanning, the driver-operator MIDK is not required at all. In principle, he may not even be a member of the MIDK crew. The movement of the platform can be controlled by the same motion control operator or another operator, controlling the operation of the complex and the platform by means of a remote control (wired or wireless), moreover, the platform on rails with the KGO will move, as noted above, parallel to the MIDK.

3. To simplify the system of power supply from the hydroelectric power station to both the MIDK and the platform electric drive.

Due to the fact that the MIDK is stationary, supplying power to its equipment will become a very simple task - by connecting the power cable to the plug connector provided in the MIDK. This cable does not need to be laid in any way, especially at a height.

With the proposed scanning principle, the electric drive of the platform must be attached to its lower part and drive one of the pairs of railway wheels through a gearbox. The cable should also be located under the platform on the platform surface in a suitable cable duct. It is obvious that it is much easier and cheaper to lay the cable on a horizontal surface than on the corresponding supports. In addition, here you can use not a four-core, but a three-core, more flexible and lighter cable. As the fourth core (neutral wire), you can use one of the rails (as in subways). It will also somewhat reduce the cost of the electric drive power supply system.

The set goals are achieved by the fact that in the mobile inspection and inspection complex, which receives power from the hydroelectric power station via a power cable containing the complex equipment installed on a car chassis, an X-ray source, an arrow with a detector ruler, forming U-shaped "gates" in the operating position of the complex , in the alignment of which the KGO is located, the rotating mechanism of the radiation source and the "gate", the MIDK remains stationary, and the KGO moves relative to it on a platform that moves on rails laid strictly parallel to the axis of symmetry of the MIDK, the electric drive of which is fixed on its lower part and receives power also from the hydroelectric power station along the second power cable laid on the surface of the working platform between the rails, the torque to the driving pair of wheels is transmitted from the electric drive through the gearbox, the length of the rails determines the length of the working platform, at the ends of which there are walkways for the entry (exit) of a large-sized object onto the platform ( from the platform), in order to prevent the platform from hitting the walkway in the latter, parking sensors (parking radar) are installed at the platform level, transmitting signals to disconnect the electric drive from the power supply and to the brake system, and the length of the rails is equal to twice the maximum length of the platform with an interval between the extreme positions of the platform, in the middle of which the plane of the "gate" is located, and the supply voltage to the platform electric drive is supplied (removed) through the contacts of the starter according to the corresponding signals, in winter the sub-platform space is protected from lateral snow by snow holders, and all equipment, MIDK and KGO for protection from various atmospheric precipitation can be located under a canopy.

The principle of operation of the mobile inspection and inspection complex is illustrated in Fig. 1, which shows the rear view of the MIDK in the working position and the KGO on the platform; fig. 2, which shows a side view of the KGO on a platform with a MIDK detector ruler, and FIG. 3, which shows an example of connecting the power cable to the platform electric drive. It should be noted that the specific method of laying the cable in the cable duct, which must be here, is not considered in the description of the invention due to the presence of several known cable layers.

The mobile IDK (Fig. 1) includes the equipment of the complex 1, located on the vehicle chassis 2, the X-ray source 3, the boom 4 with the L-shaped detector ruler, the rotary mechanism of the X-ray equipment and the "gate" 5, pneumatic stands 6 according to the number of wheels in a car tractor. Large-sized object 7 is installed on a movable platform 8, which on several wheel pairs (let two pairs) 9 moves along two rails 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ . A three-phase electric drive 11 is fixed under the platform, the output shaft of which transmits torque to one driving wheel pair of the platform through a gearbox 12. On the surface of the working platform under the platform, a power cable 13 is placed in a cable box (not shown in the figure), which is electrically connected to the electric drive 11. To protect the sub-platform space from the ingress of lateral snow into it along the entire length of the rails, snow holders 14 are installed on both sides (in summer may not be installed). All of the above equipment, MIDK and KGO can be located under a canopy 15 to protect against various atmospheric precipitation. All electrical equipment of the stationary MIDK is powered from the hydroelectric power station via cable 16.

FIG. 2 shows the walkways 17 ₁ and 17 ₂ , along which the KGO enters or leaves the platform 8. The walkway height is the same as the platform height. To prevent the platform from hitting the walkways when driving, parktronic sensors (radars) 18 ₁ and 18 _{2 are} installed on them at the platform level. When the platform approaches the walkway to a certain minimum permissible distance, these sensors give a signal to automatically stop the platform (to disconnect the electric drive from the power supply and to the braking system).

The brake system of the platform railway wheels is not shown in the figure. The principle of its operation is well known and is not considered in the description. One of the classic versions of its operation is as follows: when a signal for braking is received, the brake cylinder (hydraulic or pneumatic) is activated and its rod presses the corresponding pads against the rear or front pair of platform wheels until it stops completely. When the platform stops, the braking system is automatically reset.

The minimum allowable distance at which the parktronic radars are triggered should include the path that the platform moves by inertia after receiving a signal to stop it. Since the maximum speed of the platform during scanning is only 24 meters per minute (or 1.44 km / h), this path will be small.

To start and end the activation of X-ray radiation, an optoelectronic pair 19 (source and receiver of optical radiation) is installed on the detector line 4. When moving the platform, let the CGO cross the optical radiation beam of the optocoupler 19 to the right (as shown in Fig. 2) and the formation of a fan-shaped beam automatically begins, i.e. the process of scanning the object begins. After the end of scanning, the CGO leaves the area of operation of the optocoupler 19 and the generation of X-ray radiation is automatically stopped. FIG. 2 snow retainers 14 and the MIDK itself are not shown.

FIG. 3 shows one of the options for supplying power to the electric drive 11 using cable 13. One end of the cable using a plug connector (ШР) is connected directly to the electric drive 11. Three-phase voltage is supplied from the switchboard (PS) of the HPP through a three-phase starter 20. The controllers are supplied to the starter. commands "Start" and "Stop", respectively, for closing and opening the contacts of the starter, i.e. to start and end the platform movement. These commands can be given by the operator (from the remote control or from the emergency stop buttons) or automatically, for example, from parktronic sensors 18 ₁ and 18 ₂ . When the platform moves, the cable is either laid in a line in the cable duct (Fig. 3a), or correspondingly folded in approximately half (Fig. 3b).

The total length of the working platform L should be not less than twice the length S of the longest possible KGO (or platform length) and a certain distance Δ between the platforms in their extreme positions:

L = 2⋅S + Δ.

The distance Δ is necessary for placement between the end positions of the platforms of the U-shaped "gates" (Fig. 2 shows the vertical part of the detector line 4). Simple calculations show that this distance should be on the order of 1-2 m.

The height of the platform h above the rails is chosen such that the platform with KGO fit into the overall height of the U-shaped "gate" of the MIDK.

As platform wheels, it is advisable to use small-sized wheels from railway trolleys.

Mobile IDK works as follows.

Upon arrival of the MIDK at the working platform, the driver-operator sets it in the indicated place so that the plane of the "gate" is exactly in the middle of the length of the working platform. The axis of symmetry of the MIDK should be strictly parallel to the rails along which the platform moves. Then the driver-operator puts the parking brake on the MIDK, turns off the engine of the truck tractor, uses the power cable 16 to connect the equipment of the MIDK to the hydroelectric power station, unfolds the boom (U-shaped "gate" ) and includes all the equipment necessary for scanning. The operator then leaves the jobsite. With the help of the power cable 13, the electric drive 11 of the platform 8 is already connected in advance through the contacts of the starter 20 to the switchgear of the HPP (Fig. 3). The contacts of the three-phase starter 20 are still open, let the platform be in the extreme left position on the working platform close to the walkways 17 ₁ .

Further, the traffic control operator allows the first KGO to enter platform 8, controls the entrance and sets the controlled object on the platform along the guides. After that, MIDK and KGO will be strictly parallel to each other. The KGO driver leaves the work site.

The senior worker of the shift makes sure that the equipment is ready for scanning, that there are no people in the X-ray area and presses the "Start" button on the corresponding panel. Contacts in the starter 20 are closed, voltage is supplied to the electric drive, its output shaft drives the gearbox 12, which transmits torque to the driving pair of railway wheels 9 (Fig. 3). The rotation speed of the drive shaft is constant. Platform 8 with KGO 7 begins uniform movement from left to right. As soon as the bumper (or any protruding part) of the CGO crosses the optical radiation beam of the optoelectronic pair 19, the formation of a narrow pulsed fan-shaped X-ray beam begins automatically, which sequentially penetrates the CGO (Fig. 2). The fan-shaped beam that has passed through the CGO enters the detector line, is converted in it into the corresponding digital codes proportional to the intensity of the X-rays passed through the CGO. Further, digital codes are converted into corresponding video signals on the monitor screen: with a stronger attenuation of the X-ray beam intensity, a darker video image appears on the screen. So, sequentially, as the platform moves with the CGO, an integral X-ray image of the CGO is formed on the monitor screen of the operator, which is then analyzed by him.

After the CGO leaves the radiation zone of the optocoupler 19, the generation of a fan-shaped X-ray beam is automatically stopped, and the process of scanning the first CGO is over. However, the platform continues to move to the right for a short time. When the platform approaches the walkways 17 ₂ up to the minimum permissible distance, the sensors (radars) of the parking sensors 18 _{2 are} triggered, a "Stop" signal is automatically generated on the starter 20 and for the brake system to operate. The contacts of the starter open, the electric drive 11 is de-energized, the brake system is activated (see above) and the platform stops in the extreme right position in front of the walkways 17 ₂ . Further, the traffic control operator gives permission to the KGO driver to move off the platform along these walkways.

The following options are available for scanning the second KGO.

Option number 1. The traffic control operator gives permission to the driver of the second object to enter the platform via the walkway 17 ₂ . The reverse mode of operation of the electric drive 11 turns on. Then everything happens in the same way, but the scanning of the KGO occurs when the platform moves from right to left. With this option, odd CGOs will be scanned when moving from left to right, and even CGOs - when moving in the opposite direction from right to left. The inconvenience of this option will be the problem in the redistribution of the CGO flow by the operator: now on the left, then on the right. At some checkpoints, this is simply impossible to implement.

Option number 2. After scanning the KGO and its exit from the platform along the walkways 17 _{2, the} platform 8, at the command of the appropriate operator, already without the KGO, returns to its original position - the extreme left on the working platform. With this option, all CGOs will be scanned when the platform moves only from left to right. In the second option, there will be a “idle” run of the platform (ie, small temporary losses), but there will be no problems in the redistribution of the CGO flow. In addition, the time loss will be insignificant; moreover, the “blank” run will take place during the analysis of the X-ray image, i.e. there will be no delays in scanning the next CGO.

Both options are valid and the choice of one of them depends on the management of the checkpoint, although it is obvious that the second option is preferable.

To protect the power cable 13 from the ingress of snow in winter, snow retainers 14 are provided in the MIDK along the entire length of the rails on both sides. For more reliable protection of all equipment from various atmospheric precipitations, it is possible to build a canopy 15.

From the description of the invention it follows that the goals set before the MIDK have been achieved. Some more additional advantages of the proposed MIDK can be noted:

1. Due to the fact that the MIDK constantly uses a platform (overpass) that allows scanning 100% of the object, there is no need to relieve the air pressure in the pneumatic shock absorbers to lower the MIDK equipment. This will somewhat speed up and simplify the process of preparing the MIDK for scanning, as well as increase the readiness of the MIDK for possible relocation (if necessary).

2. Due to the fact that during scanning the MIDK is stationary, various swinging of the U-shaped "gates" is practically excluded, which will, in turn, exclude possible "smearing" of the resulting X-ray image of the CGO from swinging.

3. If all working platforms in the area of operation of the MIDK are equipped as described in the invention, then the driver-operator of the MIDK will not be required at all. It will be necessary to simply have a driver of a road tractor, whose tasks will be to move the tractor from one place of deployment to another.

4. With the stationary MIDK, technical prerequisites are created for the implementation of the transmission of scanned images in electronic form via wires (or fiber optic) in the online mode for their storage; for analysis by operators working remotely, as well as for transferring them to a higher level.

5. We can say that the invention offers a new combined type of IDK: stationary-mobile.

Thus, the invention proposes an economical and efficient mobile IDK that allows you to safely obtain high-quality X-ray images of almost any test object with minimal economic costs.

Sources of information

1. Malyshenko Yu.V. et al. Initial training of personnel of inspection and inspection complexes: textbook. - Vladivostok: Vladivostok branch of the Russian Customs Academy, 2010 .-- 460 p.

2. Bashly P.N., Verbov V.F. and other Customs: inspection and inspection complexes of Russia and foreign states: educational visual aid. - Rostov-on-Don: Rostov branch of the Russian Customs Academy, 2015 .-- 146 p.

3. Order of the Federal Customs Service of Russia of January 24, 2005 No. 52 "On approval of the Concept for the creation of a system of customs control of bulky cargo and vehicles."

4. HCV-Mobile. Heiman CarqoVision mobile: a technical training manual. Smiths Heiman Publishing House, 2007.

5. Bashly P.N., Verbov V.F. and other Customs business: theory and practice of application of mobile inspection and inspection complexes: textbook. - Rostov-on-Don: Rostov branch of the Russian Customs Academy, 2015 .-- 292 p.

6. Bashly P.N., Verbov V.F., Dolgopolov O.B. Improving the power supply of mobile inspection and screening complexes as a direction to improve the efficiency of customs control // Bulletin of the Russian Customs Academy. 2018. No. 3. S. 49-56.

7. Mantusov VB, Bashly PN, Verbov VF, Karasev AV. Customs: practice and theory of the use of inspection systems: textbook. - Rostov-on-Don: Rostov branch of the Russian Customs Academy, 2018 .-- 360 p. (p. 15.5). (Prototype).

Claims (1)

An inspection and inspection complex (IDK), receiving power from the state electrical network (HPP) via a power cable, containing the complex equipment installed on a car chassis, an X-ray source, an arrow with a detector ruler, forming a U-shaped gate in the operating position of the complex, in the range of which there is a large-sized object (KGO) of control, a rotary mechanism of the radiation source and the gate, characterized in that during the scanning process, the IDK remains stationary, and the KGO moves relative to it on a platform that moves on rails laid strictly parallel to the axis of symmetry of the IDK, the electric drive of which fixed on its lower part and receives power also from the hydroelectric power station through a second power cable laid on the surface of the working platform between the rails, the torque to the driving pair of wheels is transmitted from the electric drive through the gearbox, the length of the rails determines the length of the working platform, at the ends of which there are m racks for the entry (exit) of a large-sized object onto the platform (from the platform), to prevent the platform from hitting the walkway in the latter, parking sensors are installed at the platform level, transmitting signals to disconnect the electric drive from the power supply and to the brake system, and the length of the rails is equal to twice the maximum length of the platform with a gap between the extreme positions of the platform, in the middle of which the gate plane is located, and the supply voltage to the platform electric drive is supplied (removed) through the contacts of the starter according to the corresponding signals.

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