Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.

Devices, systems, methods, and kits of parts for monitoring operation of an electron beam additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A monitoring system includes one or more measuring devices positioned on the at least one wall in the interior of a build chamber of the additive manufacturing system. Each one of the one or more measuring devices includes a piezoelectric crystal. The monitoring system further includes an analysis component communicatively coupled to the one or more measuring devices. The analysis component is programmed to receive information pertaining to a frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal. A collection of material on the one or more measuring devices during formation of an article within the build chamber causes a change to the frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal that is detectable by the analysis component and usable to determine a potential build anomaly of the article.

Systems, methods, devices, and circuitries are provided for determining a material property. In one embodiment, a measurement device includes analysis circuitry and indicia circuitry. The analysis circuitry is configured to determine a sample thermal property value of a material sample; determine an environmental characteristic value; identify a range of environmental characteristic values mapped to the sample thermal property value; determine a suitability result corresponding to a suitability of the material sample to the environmental characteristic value based on whether the environmental characteristic value falls within the identified range of environmental characteristic values. The indicia circuitry is configured to communicate the suitability result.

A device and method for measuring the thickness of a cooling plate are related. The device is designed to fit inside a coolant channel of the cooling plate and includes a probe holder housing having a front sensor side and an opposite back side, in which an ultrasonic probe is arranged. A flexible cord is linked to the probe housing to assist the progression of the probe holder through the length of the coolant channel. The probe holder includes an expandable structure having front and rear levers articulated on the housing at opposite ends wherein spring elements are arranged to bias the levers towards one another. The expandable structure is configured to expand from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration, designed to bear against the inner surface of the coolant channel and bias the sensor side of the sensor housing against the inner surface of the coolant channel.

Systems and methods are provided for non-destructive inspection of an interior of a vessel filled with a liquid.

Devices, systems, methods, and kits of parts for monitoring operation of an electron beam additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A monitoring system includes one or more measuring devices positioned on the at least one wall in the interior of a build chamber of the additive manufacturing system. Each one of the one or more measuring devices includes a piezoelectric crystal. The monitoring system further includes an analysis component communicatively coupled to the one or more measuring devices. The analysis component is programmed to receive information pertaining to a frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal. A collection of material on the one or more measuring devices during formation of an article within the build chamber causes a change to the frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal that is detectable by the analysis component and usable to determine a potential build anomaly of the article.

Dynamic pressure wave propagation can be used in pipelines to provide information about the available, unobstructed diameter and any partial or complete blockages in the pipeline. Based on this information, a system can automatically determine optimal times to launch pipeline inspection gauges for cleaning or other purposes. A pipeline inspection gauge is sometimes referred to as a pig. Certain aspects and features include a system that can launch pigs as needed automatically by activating an automatic multiple pig launcher at appropriate times.

This application discloses magnetically coupled integrated probes and probe systems, attachable to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The integrated probe system can include a spring for coupling to an ROV end effector. An ultrasonic probe is disposed within and extends from the sleeve housing. A magnetic carrier, flux concentrator, and gimbal surround a portion of the ultrasonic probe, and one or more electrically conductive legs extend from the front surface of the gimbal to function as a CP probe. The legs are arranged about the ultrasonic probe, which has a flexible membrane exposed at the front surface of the gimbal, such that during inspection, at least one leg contacts the surface and the ultrasonic probe is sufficiently proximate to provide substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements.

A system for nondestructive inspection of structures. The system includes an omni-directional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a support arm extending outward from the UAV body from a first end attached to the body to a second distal end, which is used to support a nondestructive testing (NDT) sensor. The system includes an autopilot module stabilizing the flight of the omni-directional platform. The autopilot includes a wall-tracking mode, which determines the normal of the structure's surface, and the omni-directional UAV is stabilized to fly with the support arm aligned with normal to the surface and with the second end proximate to the surface with the UAV body in any orientation in space. The UAV operates to follow a flight path whereby a longitudinal axis of the support arm coincides with the normal and the sensor is positioned in predefined measurement position relative to the structure surface to take the measurements.

An ultrasound probe is described that comprises a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound. The probe also includes a coupling element, such as a spherical ball of self-lubricating or hydrogel material, for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected. The ultrasound probe also includes an analyser that is arranged to analyse the ultrasound signal received by the transducer and thereby determine if there is contact between the coupling element, and the surface of an object. The probe can thus be used for internal (ultrasound) inspection of objects as well as measuring the position of points on the surface of the object. The probe may be mountable to a coordinate measuring machine or other moveable platforms.