Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120045606 | COMPOSITE STRUCTURES HAVING COMPOSITE-TO-METAL JOINTS AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets. | 02-23-2012 |
20120070668 | MULTI-FERROIC STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method for testing a multiple layer structure is described. The method includes monitoring strains experienced by strain sensitive, magnetic particles disbursed within an adhesive between a first layer and a second layer, and analyzing any changes in the strains experienced by the particles to determine an amount of damage or degradation to the structure. | 03-22-2012 |
20120119028 | FUSELAGE EMPLOYING MULTIFUNCTIONAL CROWN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A fuselage structure includes a fuselage body and framework for stiffening the body. The framework includes at least one frame member having a duct therein for routing a utility through the body. | 05-17-2012 |
20120306482 | Aircraft Fuselage Inspection System - A method and apparatus for inspecting a metallic structure. A first signal is sent into a first location in the metallic structure and a second signal into a second location in the metallic structure at substantially a same time. A first response to the first signal is received. A second response to the second signal is received. The first response is compared with the second response to form a comparison. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present using the comparison. | 12-06-2012 |
20120327187 | ADVANCED REMOTE NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND PROCESS - A system for inspecting a test article incorporates a diagnostic imaging system for a test article. A command controller receives two dimensional (2D) images from the diagnostic imaging system. A three dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) model visualization system and an alignment system for determining local 3D coordinates are connected to the command controller. Computer software modules incorporated in the command controller are employed, in aligning, the 2D images and 3D CAD model responsive to the local 3D coordinates. The 2D images and 3D CAD model are displayed with reciprocal registration. The alignment system is then directed to selected coordinates in the 2D images or 3D CAD model. | 12-27-2012 |
20130075526 | Multi-Layer Metallic Structure and Composite-to-Metal Joint Methods - A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets. | 03-28-2013 |
20130089697 | PEEL-RESISTANT MECHANISM FOR USE IN BONDING COMPONENTS - A peel-resistant mechanism includes a body and a plurality of arms extending from the body such that a recess is defined between each pair of adjacent arms. At least one of the arms is positionable to facilitate restricting an edge disbond from spreading across the body of the patch. | 04-11-2013 |
20130122236 | Composite Structures Having Composite-To-Metal Joints and Method for Making the Same - A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets. | 05-16-2013 |
20130132004 | WIRELESS FUEL MONITORING SYSTEM - A monitoring system includes a transducer coupled to an outer surface of a tank wall. The transducer is oriented to transmit a first signal through the tank wall. An intermediate reflective surface is positioned within the fuel storage tank. The intermediate reflective surface is oriented to produce a first reflected signal associated with the first signal. A controller is programmed to calculate a fuel level based on at least the first signal and the first reflected signal. | 05-23-2013 |
20130147636 | MULTI-FERROIC STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEMS - A structural health monitoring system for multiple layer structures includes a plurality of strain-sensitive magnetic particles dispersed within a bonding area between at least two individual layers, at least one multiferroic sensor dispersed on a surface of the multiple layer structure, proximate to an area of the structure to be monitored, the at least one multiferroic sensor capable of monitoring strains experienced by the strain-sensitive magnetic particles, and analyzing changes in the strains experienced by said strain-sensitive magnetic particles that may indicate damage or degradation in the structure, and a controller configured for periodic interrogation of the at least one multiferroic sensor. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148472 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING DATA THROUGH AN ELECTROMAGNETIC BARRIER - An electromagnetic barrier includes a first surface and a second surface. A first transducer is coupled to the first surface. A second transducer is coupled to the second surface such that a signal is transmittable between the first transducer and the second transducer without physically penetrating the electromagnetic barrier. | 06-13-2013 |
20130188059 | Automated System and Method for Tracking and Detecting Discrepancies on a Target Object - A detection system including a target object having a target object coordinate system, a tracking unit configured to monitor a position and/or an orientation of the target object and generate a target object position signal indicative of the position and/or the orientation of the target object, a camera positioned to capture an image of the target object, an orienting mechanism connected to the camera to control an orientation of the camera relative to the target object, and a processor configured to analyze the image to detect a discrepancy in the image and, when the discrepancy is present in the image, determine a location of the discrepancy relative to the target object coordinate system based at least upon the target object position signal and the orientation of the camera, and then orient the camera and laser to aim at and point out the discrepancy. | 07-25-2013 |
20130255385 | X-RAY BACKSCATTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DISCREPANCIES IN ITEMS - A method for detecting discrepancies in an item is provided. The method comprises: directing energy waves at the item along at least one dimension, wherein a portion of the energy waves are reflected back from the item; detecting reflected energy waves from the item along at least one dimension and recording the intensity of the detected reflected energy waves, and forming a one-dimensional image of the item from the detected reflected energy waves. | 10-03-2013 |
20130289766 | Apparatus for Automated Maintenance of Aircraft Structural Elements - Automated apparatus for performing maintenance functions on airfoil-shaped bodies having short chord lengths, the apparatus being movable in a spanwise direction along the airfoil-shaped body. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a blade crawler capable of supporting any one of a plurality of end effectors for performing a set of maintenance functions on an airfoil-shaped body, such as a blade component. Included in these functions are multiple options for nondestructive inspection, drilling, grinding, fastening, appliqué application, scarfing, ply mapping, depainting, cleaning, and painting devices that are attached as the end effector for the blade crawler. As a whole, the blade crawler reduces maintenance time, labor hours and human errors when robotic maintenance functions are performed on blade components. | 10-31-2013 |
20130307174 | METHOD OF REMOVING AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE AREA IN A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure may comprise determining a location of the out-of-tolerance area within the composite structure, and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the machine tool. | 11-21-2013 |
20130333472 | Ultrasound Inspection System of Limited Access Composite Structures - A method for and apparatus for inspecting a location on a test object with a number of obstructions to reaching the location. An elongate optical fiber carrier holding a number of optical fibers is moved to the location on the test object with the number of obstructions to reaching the location. A pattern of light is transmitted from the number of optical fibers onto a surface of the test object at the location. The pattern of the light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of the light encounters the surface of the test object. A response is detected to the sound waves using the number of optical fibers. | 12-19-2013 |
20140022281 | PROJECTING AIRPLANE LOCATION SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE HISTORY USING OPTICAL REFERENCE POINTS - A method for displaying location specific maintenance history for an object is implemented by operating a camera to locate at least one marker tag with fiducial marker-based tracking functionality on the object to provide a reference to a coordinate system associated with the object. An area of the object surrounding the coordinates defined by marker tag is determined from the coordinate system. A repair history for the determined area is then projected onto the object with the projection referenced to the coordinate system associated with the object. | 01-23-2014 |
20140182479 | Vacuum Adhering Apparatus for Automated Maintenance of Airfoil-Shaped Bodies - Devices for enabling navigation of a crawler vehicle along an airfoil-shaped body, such as a helicopter blade, in a low-cost fashion with high reliability, especially for swept configuration blades. Using the natural tendency of vacuum adherence devices to adhere to changing surface contours, the crawler vehicle can adhere itself to airfoil-shaped structures in a way that allows the crawler vehicle to easily translate along an airfoil-shaped body while accommodating extreme variations along the surface of the airfoil-shaped body. The crawler vehicle can be designed to eliminate any trailing edge follower wheel, which simplifies the crawler's ability to accommodate trailing edge protrusions, such as trim tabs. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184786 | Systems and Methods for Stand-Off Inspection of Aircraft Structures - A system for stand-off inspection comprising local positioning system hardware and a nondestructive evaluation instrument supported by a pan-tilt mechanism. The system further comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform the following operations: (a) directing the local positioning system hardware toward an area of a surface on a target object by control of the pan-tilt mechanism; (b) activating the local positioning system hardware to acquire an image; (c) processing the image to determine whether an anomaly is present in the area; (d) if an anomaly is present, determining coordinates of a position of the anomaly in a coordinate system of the target object; and (e) directing the nondestructive evaluation instrument toward a position corresponding to the coordinates. Optionally, the computer system is further programmed to measure one or more characteristics of the anomaly. | 07-03-2014 |
20140210986 | Tracking-Enabled Multi-Axis Tool for Limited Access Inspection - A multi-axis tool may include, in some embodiments, a gimbal adapted to be positioned adjacent an opening in a wall; an extended-reach device having first and second ends and an end effector adjacent the first end, the extended-reach device engaging the gimbal for relative rotational movement and relative slidable movement through the opening such that the end effector is positioned on a side of the wall opposite the second end; a sensor system configured to measure a linear position of the extended-reach device relative to the gimbal, and a position and spatial orientation of the end effector relative to the opening; and a computer control connected to receive signals from the sensor system to determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the end effector relative to the opening. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210997 | System and Method for Automated Crack Inspection and Repair - A system for automated inspection of a surface; the system may include a self-propelled, steerable carriage capable of traversing the surface, the carriage having a camera positioned to view an object on the surface, and at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect; and a computer controller connected to receive image data from the camera, communicate with and selectively actuate the at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect, and control the carriage to move on the surface along one or more of a pre-set path and a path to one or more pre-set locations. | 07-31-2014 |
20140278221 | Self-Contained Holonomic Tracking Method and Apparatus for Non-Destructive Inspection - A self-contained, holonomic motion tracking solution for supplementing the acquisition of inspection information on the surface of a structure, thereby enabling the real-time production of two-dimensional images from hand-held and automated scanning by holonomic-motion of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor units (e.g., NDI probes). The systems and methods disclosed enable precise tracking of the position and orientation of a holonomic-motion NDI sensor unit (hand-held or automated) and conversion of the acquired tracking data into encoder pulse signals for processing by a NDI scanning system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140305216 | Apparatus for Automated Non-Destructive Inspection of Airfoil-Shaped Bodies - An automated blade crawler capable of scanning a multiplicity of non-destructive inspection sensors over a surface of an airfoil-shaped body such as a blade component. The blade crawler is movable in a spanwise direction, thereby enabling a sensor array to inspect the surface area on one or both sides of the blade component in one pass. The sensors concurrently output scan imaging data which is multiplexed, the multiplexed being transmitted (via an electrical cable or wirelessly) to data collection and display hardware at an operations control center. | 10-16-2014 |
20140305217 | Apparatus for Automated Rastering of an End Effector Over an Airfoil-Shaped Body - A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of an end effector (e.g., a non-destructive inspection sensor) during movement over a contoured surface, comprising: (1) a pneumatic or spring-loaded plunger shaft that facilitates positioning of an end effector onto a highly contoured surface by allowing a wide range of vertical motion; (2) a rocker pivotably coupled to a distal end of the plunger shaft, the rocker being pivotable about a horizontal axis to allow a pair of follower wheels coupled to distal ends of the rocker arms to follow the contoured surface and keep the end effector oriented correctly relative to the surface without tipping over; and (3) a hozzle (i.e., an end effector holder) attached to the rocker for rotation therewith, the end effector being coupled to the hozzle by an elastomeric gasket or a plurality of springs which allow the orientation of the end effector relative to the hozzle to change in response to contact forces. | 10-16-2014 |
20140363637 | Heating Layer for Film Removal - Embodiments of the presently disclosed system include a thin thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer film loaded with non-polymeric inclusions that are susceptible to heating under a time-varying magnetic field. Insertion of this additional heating layer into a structural or semi-structural heterogeneous laminate provides an “on-demand” de-bonding site for laminate deconstruction. For example, in some embodiments when the heating layer is inserted between a cured Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) layer and a Polymeric/Metallic film stackup layer, the heating layer can be selectively heated above its softening point (e.g., by using energy absorbed from a locally-applied time-varying magnetic field) to allow for ease of applique separation from the CFRP layer. | 12-11-2014 |
20140376768 | Systems and Methods for Tracking Location of Movable Target Object - An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system. | 12-25-2014 |
20150039123 | MACHINE TOOL FOR REMOVING AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE AREA IN A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - An apparatus for removing for removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure may include a machine tool having a machine head movable along at least one axis over the composite structure. The machine tool may include at least one of a video camera and a non-destructive inspection (NDI) scanner mounted to the machine head for scanning the composite structure and locating the out-of-tolerance area. The machine tool may also include a cutting tool movable along a tool path for removing a volume containing the out-of-tolerance area. The machine tool may additionally include a controller that may be programmable with a quantity of layers of the volume for which the cutting tool is paused following removal of each one of the layers. | 02-05-2015 |
20150041044 | PEEL-RESISTANT MECHANISM FOR USE IN BONDING COMPONENTS - A peel-resistant mechanism includes a body and a plurality of arms extending from the body such that a recess is defined between each pair of adjacent arms. At least one of the arms is positionable to facilitate restricting an edge disbond from spreading across the body of the patch. | 02-12-2015 |
20150060161 | LOCOMOTION SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SNAKE - A serpentine body includes a first portion, a first wheel coupled to the first portion, a second portion, a second wheel coupled to the second portion, and at least one sensor coupled to the first portion and/or the second portion. The first wheel is rotatable in a first direction. The second wheel is rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction when the first wheel rotates in the first direction. | 03-05-2015 |
20150086745 | COMPOSITE TEXTILES INCLUDING SPREAD FILAMENTS - An article comprises a multi-directional textile of first reinforcing fiber tows extending in a first direction and second reinforcing fiber tows extending in a second direction. Filaments in the first fiber tows extend past a boundary of the textile and are spread. The tows are embedded in resin. | 03-26-2015 |
20150129113 | MULTI-LAYER METALLIC STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITE-TO-METAL JOINT METHODS - A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets. | 05-14-2015 |
20150207987 | Systems and Methods for Tracking Location of Movable Target Object - An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system. | 07-23-2015 |
20150215584 | Non-Destructive Evaluation of Structures Using Motion Magnification Technology - In one process, a mechanical stress (quasi-static or dynamic) or thermal stress is introduced into a local area of a structure where damage is suspected. A standard (or high speed for some dynamic stress approaches) video recording is made of the area under test. The video is processed using a motion amplification algorithm which magnifies extremely small motions. | 07-30-2015 |
20150226369 | Automated Mobile Boom System for Crawling Robots - A system comprising a multi-functional boom subsystem integrated with a holonomic-motion boom base platform. The boom base platform may comprise: Mecanum wheels with independently controlled motors; a pair of sub-platforms coupled by a roll-axis pivot to maintain four-wheel contact with the ground surface; and twist reduction mechanisms to minimize any yaw-axis twisting torque exerted on the roll-axis pivot. A computer with motion control software may be embedded on the boom base platform. The motion control function can be integrated with a real-time tracking system. The motion control computer may have multiple platform motion control modes: (1) a path following mode in which the boom base platform matches the motion path of the surface crawler (i.e., integration with crawler control); (2) a reactive mode in which the boom base platform moves based on the pan and tilt angles of the boom arm; and (3) a collision avoidance mode using sensors distributed around the perimeter of the boom base platform to detect obstacles. | 08-13-2015 |
20150231837 | Verifiable Quick Patch Repair for Composite Structures - A composite structure comprising a parent structure having a hole, an insert in the hole, and a first patch bonded by adhesive to one side of the parent structure and one side of the insert. The first patch comprises a first multiplicity of pre-stressed members arranged in side-by-side relationship around a perimeter of the first patch. Each pre-stressed member is capable of returning to an unflexed curved state in the event that a strength of the bond between that pre-stressed member and an opposing portion of the parent structure becomes zero. The composite structure may further comprise a second patch bonded by adhesive to another side of the parent structure and another side of the insert. In one application, the composite structure is part of an aerial vehicle, e.g., a fuselage of an aircraft. | 08-20-2015 |
20150268033 | Relative Object Localization Process for Local Positioning System - Systems and methods for performing relative object localization using a local positioning system. The process in accordance with one embodiment solves the problem of determining the location (i.e., the position and orientation) of an object relative to a previous location of the object, or relative to another object, without the need for known 3-D data point positions in the environment. The process in accordance with another embodiment solves the problem of determining the location of the measurement instrument relative to a previous location of the measurement instrument using visible feature points on a target object as a reference, again without the need for known 3-D data point positions. The process in accordance with a further embodiment is capable of determining the locations of multiple objects relative to each other. | 09-24-2015 |
20150302572 | Method For Improving Linear Feature Detectability In Digital Images - The present disclosure is generally directed to of method linear feature detection in a structure by providing a first digital image of the structure, creating a second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image and determining a direction to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image. A pixel shift value may be input to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image, and pixels of the second corresponding digital image are shifted by the input pixel shift value in the determined direction. A third corresponding digital image of the structure may be calculated by subtracting the second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image of the structure. | 10-22-2015 |
20150308907 | Witness Material and Method for Monitoring the Environmental History of an Object - A witness material for monitoring an environmental history of an object may include a material containing a dye of a type that fluoresces in response to actinic radiation in one or both of a shift in color and a change in intensity when subjected to a predetermined stress above a predetermined level; and the material forming a coating on one or more of an outer container for the object, an inner container for the object, a tape that is applied to an outer container for the object, a tape that is applied to an inner container for the object, a shrink wrap enclosing the object, an outer surface of the object, and an inner surface of the object. | 10-29-2015 |
20150319832 | System and Method for Quantifying X-Ray Backscatter System Performance - A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support, a plurality of rods mounted on the support, the rods of the plurality of rods arranged in parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width, and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, and generate a display representing photon counts of x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube. | 11-05-2015 |
20150323501 | EXTENDED REACH INSPECTION APPARATUS - An extended reach inspection apparatus may include a scanner device and a robotic manipulator arm. The robotic manipulator arm may include a plurality of arm segments including a distal end arm segment and a proximal end arm segment. A movable joint may couple the distal end arm segment to the robotic manipulator arm. A telescoping extension mechanism may be coupled to the distal end arm segment. The scanner device is mounted to the telescoping extension mechanism for moving the scanner device between a retracted position proximate the robotic manipulator arm and an extended position at a distance from the robotic manipulator arm. A control handle may be coupled to the proximal end arm segment of the plurality of arm segments for manipulating the robotic manipulator arm. | 11-12-2015 |
20150329221 | Automated Scanning Systems for Non-Destructive Inspection of Curved Cylinder-Like Workpieces - Systems and methods for high-speed non-destructive inspection of a half- or full-barrel-shaped workpiece, such as a barrel-shaped section of an aircraft fuselage. Such workpieces can be scanned externally using a mobile (e.g., translating) arch gantry system comprising a translatable arch frame disposed outside the fuselage section, a carriage that can travel along a curved track carried by the arch frame, a radially inward-extending telescopic arm having a proximal end fixedly coupled to the carriage, and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The stiffeners of the fuselage sections can be scanned using a mobile scanner platform disposed inside the fuselage section, which platform comprises a radially outward-extending telescopic arm rotatably coupled to a mobile (e.g., holonomic or linear motion) platform and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The scan data is matched with position data acquired using any one of a plurality of tracking systems to enable the display of NDI features/flaws on a three-dimensional representation of the workpiece. | 11-19-2015 |
20150338296 | STRUCTURAL REPAIR HAVING OPTICAL WITNESS AND METHOD OF MONITORING REPAIR PERFORMANCE - A structural repair includes a tell-tale optical witness that allows the health of the repair to be visually monitored. The optical witness includes a stress sensitive fluorescent dye that shows changes in local strain/stress patterns when the repair is subjected to electromagnetic energy of a particular wavelength. The dyes fluoresce more or less strongly as a function of the local stress/strain. | 11-26-2015 |
20150367509 | Stabilization of an End of an Extended-Reach Apparatus in a Limited-Access Space - Apparatus and methods that can be used to stabilize a portion of an extended-reach tool assembly to enable the dimensional mapping, non-destructive inspection and/or simple repair of elongated and serpentine structures used in aerospace and military platforms. In some embodiments, a jointed (i.e., articulated) arm of the extended-reach tool assembly, which is mounted and manipulated at the entrance to a limited-access space (e.g., a cavity), is equipped with actuatable contact pads or bladders to stabilize the distal end of the arm to which a tool-carrying end effector is coupled. The end effector is capable of holding and orienting a probe or sensor (e.g., NDI sensor unit, laser scanner, camera, etc.) or other tool (e.g., drill, sander, vacuum, “grabber”, coating sprayer, etc.). | 12-24-2015 |
20150367586 | FORMING TOOLS AND FLEXIBLE ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ARRAYS - An apparatus comprises a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface. | 12-24-2015 |
20160025658 | VISIBLE X-RAY INDICATION AND DETECTION SYSTEM FOR X-RAY BACKSCATTER APPLICATIONS - An X-ray backscatter indication and detection system, including an object disposed with respect to a target area targeted by X-rays, such that X-rays that backscatter from the target area strike the surface of the object. The surface of the object includes an X-ray sensitive indicator substance that fluoresces with a visible light when contacted by backscattered X-rays. | 01-28-2016 |
20160061785 | FLUIDLESS ROLLER PROBE DEVICE - A fluidless roller probe device for performing structural integrity testing. A drum sensor has a shaft, a barrel-shaped inner portion mounted on the shaft, a sensor array having transmit elements and receive elements positioned on an outer surface of the inner portion, and an outer portion positioned over the sensor array. A shaft encoder is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. A support structure is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. Processing circuitry coupled to the transmit elements and receive elements is configured to activate, based on a signal from the shaft encoder, only that transmit element closest to the surface of the part under test and to calculate an output signal based on signals received from the receive elements. The transmit and receive elements are either ultrasonic transducers or eddy current coils. The transmit and receive elements are arranged in a lattice-like configuration. | 03-03-2016 |
20160078607 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A BONDLINE - A method for analyzing a bondline in a structure is provided. The method includes obtaining, from a first side of the structure, by at least one computing device, at least one first internal image of the structure that includes at least a first pattern associated with the bondline, wherein the structure is in a pre-loaded state and obtaining, from the first side of the structure, by the at least one computing device, at least one second internal image of the structure that includes at least the first pattern, wherein the structure is in a loaded state. Additionally, the method includes comparing, by the at least one computing device, the at least one first internal image with the at least one second internal image, and determining, by the at least one computing device, at least one stress and/or strain-related property of the bondline based on the comparison. The method additionally includes predicting an estimated life of the bondline, whereby the estimated life provides a valuable tool for optimization of maintenance effort and enabling cost-optimal maintenance decisions. | 03-17-2016 |