X-ray shielding system and shielded digital radiographic inspection system and method

The invention relates generally to an x-ray shielding system for automated digital radiographic inspection and, more particularly, to an x-ray shielding system for automated digital radiographic inspection of aircraft components. An x-ray shielding system includes a beam controller configured to surround an x-ray source and includes a detector shield configured to position behind an x-ray detector. The beam controller includes a source shield and an aperture. The source shield and the detector shield are adapted to block x-rays, and the aperture is adapted to transmit x-rays. A shielded digital radiographic inspection system includes the x-ray source and the beam controller surrounding the x-ray source. The beam controller includes the source shield and the aperture. The aperture is configured to rotate around the x-ray source. The inspection system further includes a digital x-ray detector positioned radially outward from the x-ray source and facing the aperture. The digital x-ray detector is configured to be movable along an orbit around the x-ray source. The inspection system further includes the detector shield configured to be movable with and positioned behind the digital x-ray detector.