Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

Kendall Ford Koerner

Todd Brian Jaramillo

Adam Joseph Donar

Michael R Grosser

Allison Jean Wright

An inspection system for ultrasonic inspection of a part, such as an aircraft component. The inspection system may include one or more transducers, an acoustic coupler made of an acoustic coupling compliant solid, a low friction contact film, a location sensor, and a processor. The contact film may substantially surround the acoustic coupler or portions thereof. The transducers may transmit ultrasonic or sound waves through the acoustic coupler, the contact film, and at least partially through the part being inspected thereby. The location sensor may sense and output information regarding how far the ultrasonic inspection system has traveled along the part. The processor may associate signals from the transducers with signals from the location sensor to determine precise locations on the part at which particular signals are received by the transducers.

Modular film-covered elastomeric inspection device

A through-transmission ultrasonic (TTU) inspection system for ultrasonic inspection of a part, such as an aircraft component. The TTU inspection system may include a first end effector and/or a second end effector. The first end effector may be positioned on a first surface of the part and the second end effector may be positioned on a second surface of the part, opposite the first surface. The first and/or second end effector may also include an acoustic coupling medium encircled by a plurality of pins independently movable toward and away from a housing of the first and/or second end effector, such that the pins may follow local part contours along the first surface at all times, while retaining the acoustic coupling medium between the first surface and a transducer in the housing of the first and/or second end effector.

Ultrasonic inspection end effector

An inspection apparatus and method for inspecting an inner surface of a hollow composite part. The inspection apparatus may have a support frame, at least one transducer attached to the support frame, an ultrasound gel pad attached to an outer surface of the transducer, and a sponge attached to the support frame. The transducer may send and receive ultrasound waves and the sponge may be positioned to leave a trail of water when moved along the inner surface of the hollow composite part, such that the water rests between the ultrasound gel pad and the inner surface once the inspection apparatus reaches a location to be inspected. The ultrasound waves may thus be transmitted through the ultrasound gel pad and then through the water before bouncing off of the inner surface of the hollow composite part. The ultrasound waves bounced off of the inner surface may be detected by the transducer and analyzed to determine if there is a defect in the composite part.

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Wellington, KS, United States of America

Kendall Ford Koerner