G01N2291/2694

System and method for machine axis coordination for ultrasonic inspection
09816967 · 2017-11-14 · ·

A through-transmission ultrasonic (TTU) inspection system for ultrasonic inspection of a part and for determining alignment calibration data for increased alignment accuracy. The TTU inspection system may include first and second end effectors located on opposite sides of the part, each having at least one transducer for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic or sound waves through the part. The TTU inspection system may also include actuators and a system controller. The system controller may command the actuators to actuate the first end effector according to one or more scanning patterns, while the transducers send and/or receive signals to or from each other through the part. The system controller may use signal strength measurements received along these scanning patterns to determine alignment calibration data for applying to the first end effector and/or its associated actuators.

Detection of Near Surface Inconsistencies in Structures
20170322184 · 2017-11-09 ·

A method of detecting near surface inconsistencies in a structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the structure. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data is processed to identify a frequency associated with the near surface inconsistency.

Dead zone inspection with ultrasonic testing using signal integration

An ultrasonic inspection system, method, and software. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe that directs ultrasound waves into a structure from a front wall, and receives reflected waves to generate a response signal. The system further includes a processor that rectifies the response signal to generate a rectified signal, integrates a portion of the rectified signal within a detection time window to determine an energy sum, and generates output based on the energy sum. The detection time window is restricted to a front wall reflection and at least a portion of a near-surface dead zone following the front wall reflection.

ULTRASONIC INSPECTION DEVICE AND INSPECTION METHOD

An ultrasonic inspection device is an device for ultrasonically inspecting a rotor disc. The ultrasonic inspection device includes: an inspecting portion that has an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a disc surface of the rotor disc; a first magnet that movably holds the ultrasonic probe relative to the disc surface of the rotor disc; a drive wheel that causes the ultrasonic probe to move in a direction that intersects a radial direction of the rotor disc; a steering wheel that adjusts a moving direction of the drive wheel; a stroke sensor that detects the radial position of the ultrasonic probe being held relative to the disc surface; and a control device that controls the steering wheel on the basis of information detected by the stroke sensor such that the radial position of the ultrasonic probe falls within a predetermined range.

Repairing member, fastener, and collar

To provide a repairing member, a repair structure, and a damage detection method that enable accurate detection of damage that occurs in a repairing member and a repairing target member. The repair structure includes a skin in which an opening is formed, and a plate-like repairing member fixed to the skin to cover the opening. The repairing member has a recess formed on a contact face side in contact with the skin, and an ultrasonic search unit is placed inside the recess. The ultrasonic search unit is placed so as to be in contact with both the repairing member and the skin.

Self-Powered Sensor Nodes for Structural Health Monitoring

A self-powered sensor node includes a printed wiring board connected to a patch. The printed wiring board includes a microcontroller, a transceiver, an antenna, and a power management module connected to supply electric power to the microcontroller. The patch comprises a metamaterial substrate and a piezoelectric element adhered to the metamaterial substrate. The piezoelectric element is connected to the power management module and to the microcontroller. The power management module is configured to store electric power received from the piezoelectric element. The microcontroller is configured to selectively convert electrical signals received from the piezoelectric element into sensor data and then command the transceiver to transmit the sensor data via the antenna. The metamaterial substrate has an auxetic kirigami honeycomb structure.

AIRCRAFT INSPECTION SUPPORT DEVICE AND AIRCRAFT INSPECTION SUPPORT METHOD

This aircraft inspection support device includes a first imaging unit configured to capture a measurement information image displayed on a measurement instrument-side display unit of a specific measurement instrument associated with a model of an aircraft or an inspection target of an aircraft component, the measurement instrument-side display unit being configured to display measurement information on the inspection target, and an operator-side display unit configured to display the measurement information image so as to be visible to an inspection operator who is performing an inspection operation near the inspection target.

DEAD ZONE INSPECTION WITH ULTRASONIC TESTING USING SIGNAL INTEGRATION

An ultrasonic inspection system, method, and software. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe that directs ultrasound waves into a structure from a front wall, and receives reflected waves to generate a response signal. The system further includes a processor that rectifies the response signal to generate a rectified signal, integrates a portion of the rectified signal within a detection time window to determine an energy sum, and generates output based on the energy sum. The detection time window is restricted to a front wall reflection and at least a portion of a near-surface dead zone following the front wall reflection.

Vibration amplification and detection device
11371877 · 2022-06-28 · ·

A vibration amplification and detection device may include a coiled diaphragm coupled to a pin that is also coupled to a substrate. The coiled diaphragm may be coupled to the pin via at least one axle and a fulcrum disc, and the vibration detection device may be coupled to a surface via the substrate. Responsive to vibration associated with or proximate the surface, the coiled diaphragm may receive and amplify the received vibration. In addition, a sensor associated with the vibration detection device may capture or detect the received and amplified vibration. Further, the detected vibration may be processed and compared with known vibrations and associated properties. Moreover, one or more actions may be instructed based on the detected vibration and associated properties.

STRUCTURAL INCONSISTENCY DETECTION USING DISTANCE DATA

Methods and systems for computing distance data for a structure. A scan surface that represents an inspection area of the structure is identified. A plurality of sample points on an outer surface identified from a model of the structure and a corresponding plurality of projected points on an inner surface identified from the model of the structure are generated using the scan surface, a first geometric representation of the outer surface, and a second geometric representation of the inner surface. Distance data is computed using the plurality of sample points and the corresponding plurality of projected points. The distance data identifies a distance between a point pair formed by a sample point of the plurality of sample points and a corresponding projected point of the corresponding plurality of projected points.