Verifi Technologies, LLC

Baylor University

Fortified Composites LLC

David Abram Jack

Benjamin M Blandford

Nathaniel J Blackman

John Edward Fitch

Theresa Vo

Ian Gravagne

Gary Georgeson

Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath

Douglas E Smith

Tonoy Chowdhury

Ronald Eugene Nadeau

John Edmund Christoph

William Minnie

Sarah Stair

Jordan Robert Raney

Daniel Pulipati

Caleb Heimsoth

Kayla P Garrett

Matthew Newton

The present invention is directed to an apparatus including a first central base attached to a second central base, connected by a bridge, with a space defined between the two central bases. The first central base and the second central base are each attached to a plurality of wheels extending into the space between the two central bases, with the plurality of wheels configured to translate the apparatus along a rotorcraft blade. The first central base and/or the second central base include a recess configured to receive a connection arm attached to a non-destructive scanning device. The apparatus is able to be used for ultrasonic, radiographic, eddy current, thermographic, acoustic, or visual non-destructive testing.

Non-destructive scanning device for airfoil-shaped bodies

A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

Eddy current probe and method for determining ply orientation using eddy current and ultrasonic probes

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

System and method for real-time visualization of defects in a material

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as an air pocket, delamination, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting foreign objects within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each object area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

System and method for real-time degree of cure evaluation in a material

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system is capable of producing A-scans, B-scans, and C-scans of the test object and automatically highlighting potential foreign objects within the test object based on the scan data. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of displaying a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. In one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence module capable of highlighting foreign objects in order to provide size data, shape data, and/or depth data of the foreign object.

System and method for real-time visualization of foreign objects within a material

Method and system are disclosed for characterizing and quantifying composite laminate structures. The method and system take a composite laminate of unknown ply stack composition and sequence and determine various information about the individual plies, such as ply stack, orientation, microstructure, and type. The method and system distinguishes between weave types that exhibit similar planar stiffness behaviors, but which produce different failure mechanisms. Individual ply information then is used to derive the laminate bulk properties from externally provided constitutive properties of the fiber and matrix, including extensional stiffness, bending-extension coupling stiffness, bending stiffness, and the like. The laminate bulk properties are then used to generate a probabilistic failure envelope for the composite laminate. This provides the ability to perform non-destructive QA to ensure that individual lamina layup was accomplished according to specifications, and results are used to identify numerous laminate properties beyond purely structural ones.

Method and system of non-destructive testing for composites

Embodiments are disclosed for characterizing and quantifying composite laminate structures. The embodiments take a composite laminate of unknown ply stack composition and sequence and determine various information about the individual plies, such as ply stack, orientation, microstructure, and type. The embodiments distinguish between weave types that exhibit similar planar stiffness behaviors, but produce different failure mechanisms. Individual ply information is then used to derive the laminate bulk properties from externally provided constitutive properties of the fiber and matrix, including extensional stiffness, bending-extension coupling stiffness, bending stiffness, and the like. The laminate bulk properties are then used to generate a probabilistic failure envelope for the composite laminate. In some embodiments, ply stack type and sequence are also determined for a curved composite laminate using the disclosed embodiments by adding a rotational stage.

System for non-destructive testing of composites

An apparatus for scanning a cylindrical part is provided. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from the part, with the ultrasonic transducer connected to a translation stage to move it up and down the part and around the circumference of the part. The apparatus does not mechanically contact the cylindrical or maintains contact only with soft elements, such that the apparatus does not damage sensitive parts. The apparatus also contains no magnetic parts, nor any elements that rely on magnetic detection, such that the apparatus is capable of being used in the vicinity of a part exhibiting a strong magnetic field.

Cylindrical ultrasonic scanning apparatus

The present disclosure provides a system with an ultrasonic transducer housing assembly that maintains an acoustic coupling path for spherically focused transducers while allowing the placement of the housing at angles relative to a vertical angle. This invention extends the use of spherically focused transducers into portable systems with significantly reduced system and operational costs for non-destructive testing. The transducer housing assembly features a lens housing with an opening that is sealed with a replaceable fluid-tight membrane defining an acoustic window with acoustic properties similar to those of fluid in the housing and therefore at least translucent to the transducer and causing minimal signal loss. The housing contains minimal fluid to be cleaned up in case of improper use or leakage. The transducer housing also includes an optional surface offset and an ability to adjust the focal point of the transducer relative to the component surface.

Growing community of inventors

Waco, TX, United States of America

David Abram Jack