The Boeing Company

Donald Duane Palmer, Jr

Steven Kenneth Brady

Gary E Georgeson

Nathan Rylan Smith

Selina Brownridge

James J Troy

Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard

Tyler M Holmes

Taisia Tsukruk Lou

Thomas A Maeder

Shayne Andrew Dorrell

X-ray tomography systems and methods for imaging an aircraft part are disclosed herein. The systems include a part fixture, which is configured to support the aircraft part. The systems also include an x-ray source, which is configured to selectively emit x-rays, and an x-ray detector, which is configured to detect the x-rays. The systems further include a support structure that operatively supports the x-ray source and the x-ray detector such that x-rays emitted by the x-ray source travel along a beam path that is incident upon the x-ray detector and that passes through the aircraft part. The systems also include a rotary scanning structure, which is configured to selectively rotate the support structure about a scan axis, and a longitudinal scanning structure, which is configured to selectively translate the support structure along the scan axis. The methods include methods of utilizing the systems.

X-ray tomography systems and methods for imaging an aircraft part

An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

Automated detection of fatigue cracks around fasteners using millimeter waveguide probe

Apparatuses and systems comprising an additive manufacturing device and an associated terahertz inspection device for inspecting additively deposited layers in real time during or immediately following material deposition and parts made and inspected by the apparatuses and systems and their associated methods are disclosed herein.

Terahertz inspection for additively manufactured materials

A system for automated bond testing includes a sensor that scans a material to be tested; a computer for comparing a reflected signal waveform to a plurality of signal waveforms indicating a defect in the material, and assigning a unique color to the match; a display that displays an image of the material having an assigned one of the plurality of colors indicative of a presence or absence of a defect in the test area; and an automated scanning platform that supports the sensor, the scanning platform moving the sensor in a preset motion over a surface of a test area of the material to be tested to perform an inspection scan of the material at the test area, and that positions the sensor at a predetermined position, a predetermined angle, and a predetermined contact force to acquire data consistently during an inspection.

System and method for automated bond testing

A method for inspecting an object. A support structure physically associated with a first sensor and a second sensor is moved to an area for inspection. The support structure is in a first configuration and the first sensor and the second sensor are positioned about an axis extending through the support structure when the support structure is in the first configuration. The support structure is changed from the first configuration to a second configuration. The first sensor and the second sensor are configured to generate information when the support structure is in the second configuration.

Nondestructive inspection system for difficult to access areas

A probe for detecting distortions in a material includes a probe body, a ferrite core in the probe body, an excitation coil encircling the ferrite core and adapted to generate eddy currents, further magnetic shielding surrounding the excitation coil, and at least one giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor disposed in magnetic field-communicating relationship with the excitation coil and off-center with respect to the excitation coil's axis.

Nondestructive inspection probe and method

A system for the measurement of degradation of electrical wire insulation quality is described. The system includes a clamping device for engaging the electrical wire to be tested for insulation degradation, the clamping device comprising a channel formed therein for placement of the electrical wire, a plurality of plates placed proximate the channel, the plates electrically connected to generate a capacitance and placed proximate the channel such that the wire insulation provides a portion of a dielectric for the generated capacitance, and a measurement device operatively attached to the plurality of plates such that the measurement device is configured to indicate an amount of degradation associated with the wire insulation based on at least one of the measured capacitance and dissipation factor.

Methods and systems for quantifying degradation of wiring insulation

Apparatus for non-destructively testing a polymeric cylindrical object to measure aging characteristics includes a source of electrical energy, a monitoring device, a probe for engaging an inner surface of the cylindrical object, and a conductor connecting at least the source of electrical energy and the probe, the probe comprising contact portions having object engaging surfaces including capacitor circuitry thereon. The probe further includes a nose portion having recesses disposed about the circumference within which the contact portions are housed, the nose portion being engagable with an inner surface of the cylindrical object and the object engaging surfaces being movable between a first position in which the object engaging surfaces are housed entirely within recesses and a second position in which the object engaging surfaces are deployed away from the nose portion.

Growing community of inventors

Ballwin, MO, United States of America

Donald Duane Palmer, Jr