Mink and sea otter are not only valuable fur.

Mink and Sea Otter are not only valuable fur.

MINK AND SEASPERD ARE NOT ONLY VALUABLE FUR
V. Shelkov

By a strange coincidence, at the beginning of the 21st century, nature, blind chance, and evil intent seemed to conspire to destroy the human race. Natural disasters, man-made catastrophes and terrorism literally haunt both the powerful and the common people.
And if earthquakes, hurricanes and floods can be perceived as the menacing finger of fate, then civilization can very well counter the other two phenomena with adequate countermeasures.
Currently, the arsenal of state special services and security services of commercial structures includes many devices and equipment based on a wide variety of physical phenomena: from ultrasonic flaw detection and nonlinear radar to nuclear quadrupole resonance.
However, they all have one significant drawback: the result obtained only with some probability indicates the presence of a certain anomaly. At the same time, relatively simple protective measures can negate the «amazing» capabilities of equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It seemed difficult to imagine a universal device capable of detecting hidden defects in important metal structures, as well as detecting eavesdropping devices or explosive devices in household items.
However, there is a class of equipment that is literally impossible to hide from. We are talking about portable X-ray units that can see a bomb in a «forgotten» bag, or a listening microphone in gifts or custom-made furniture.

Contents of a suspicious suitcase,
revealed by X-ray scanning

Portable X-ray television units have revolutionized the methods of searching for information gathering devices and explosive devices.

Their advantages include:

• quick deployment on site;
• exceptional efficiency in operation;
• high productivity;
• good detection capacity;
• exclusion of the «wet» photographic process associated with the processing of X-ray films;
• the ability to record shadow images obtained as a result of transillumination in the electronic memory of the device for subsequent analysis and processing;
• the ability to operate on batteries;
• low radiation impact on service personnel and others

The family of portable X-ray inspection units «NORK» has all the above advantages. They are designed to check various technical equipment, electrical fittings, furniture and household items. The specified equipment is widely used for inspection of baggage, mail and other items in order to detect explosive devices and other dangerous attachments.
The modular design principle was used when creating the «NORKA» installations. The kit may include various X-ray emitters, converters and control units. This allows you to select the system configuration that best meets the tasks facing security personnel.

Portable X-ray and television
installation «NORKA

The kit usually includes the following main units and components:

• X-ray emitter — RI;
• control, processing and display unit — BU;
• converters — PRB with replaceable converters PR;
• TV camera unit — BK;
• network power supply (85 — 240 V);
• battery power supply complete with charger;
• transport bags.

Of particular interest are the so-called microfocus X-ray generators. The high sharpness of the shadow image allows for a detailed study of the internal structure of packages, parcels, letters and containers. When conducting special checks of technical equipment and identifying possible eavesdropping devices embedded in them, it is possible to detect foreign miniature objects, such as copper conductors 15 — 25 microns thick.
Unlike pulsed X-ray emitters, microfocus X-ray generators allow you to directly obtain a shadow image during scanning, magnified by 4 — 12 times! This is especially valuable when examining objects suspected of containing explosive devices.

Eavesdropping device hidden in household items

The same, magnified 10 times directly
during X-ray scanning

In addition, high voltage can be regulated in a wide range in microfocus emitters. As a result, it is easier to examine low-density objects and, above all, mail, including those containing various powders, insects, etc.
The service life of the X-ray tube of the «NORKA» installations is 300 hours, which allows you to take at least 150,000 pictures.
The X-ray television unit «NORK» can be equipped with various control units. The main differences come down to the size of the monitor and the capacity of the electronic image memory.
The unit is equipped with a TV camera unit that can be connected to one of three converters. The use of a specific converter is determined by the dimensions of the controlled object and the required spatial resolution. The delivery set may include one, two or all three converters. A large converter is usually used for checking baggage and hand luggage, and a small one is extremely convenient for checking technical equipment when it is necessary to scan small parts and units.

The «NORK» unit on a special tripod
for inspecting correspondence

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE X-RAY TELEVISION INSTALLATION «MINK»

The above-described microfocus emitters are used in stationary installations of the «KALAN-2» type, which are primarily intended for screening visitors' hand luggage at the entrance to various institutions. They are usually used in conjunction with stationary metal detectors, such as those from Garrett.
The KALAN-2 installation is also used to check postal correspondence. In addition, the KALAN-2 can be used to check technical equipment, electrical fittings, parts and units of office equipment, as well as gifts and individual items to identify hidden information collection devices.
The stationary KALAN-2 installation is equipped with full biological protection of personnel and others from exposure to X-ray radiation, which meets the requirements of the Radiation Safety Standards. This allows it to be used in office premises of various enterprises and firms.

Stationary X-ray television
unit «KALAN-2»

«KALAN-2» has all the main advantages of portable X-ray equipment «NORK»:

• good detection capacity;
• high productivity;
• the ability to enlarge the image directly during the scanning;
• the ability to record images in the device's memory.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATIONARY «KALAN-2»

As is known, the X-ray radiation generated by the device is the result of braking of the electron flow. The radiation source is a spot on the target surface with a diameter of 1.2 — 2.5 mm. For this reason, to obtain a sharp shadow image, the controlled object must be located directly near the screen of the converter, for example, a cassette with X-ray film. In microfocus emitters, the spot size does not exceed 40 µm. As a result, the illuminated object can be moved towards the emitter, thus obtaining its enlarged image. In essence, we are dealing with a purely geometric projection of the studied object.