National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Thomas M Rice

Stephen Neidigk

Dennis P Roach

Joshua Paquette

Elijah David Hammond

Michael Bolduc

Joshua Romano

Clay S Newton

An automated, inspection system that includes a robot with a closed loop control system that includes multiple Nondestructive Testing (NDI) modalities for complete through-thickness inspection of structures (e.g., wind turbine blades, aircraft, pressure vessels, pipelines, ships). The robot can be programmed either by a user or another inspection system to automatically move to a user-specified location, or a series of locations to complete a scan inspection of the area. The inspection region (size) is also automated via a user-specified input, other inspection system, or through other pre-programmed coverage patterns. Closed-loop control software allows the robot to automatically return to the location of any damaged region, identified during the inspection, so that the location can be marked and appropriate maintenance actions can be taken.

Systems and methods for remote, automated non-destructive inspection

A magnetic electrical latch assembly for sensing an electrical contact has a housing for supporting a magnetic electrical contact. The housing has an annular cavity and a cylinder disposed within the cavity. A magnetic electrical contact is attached at one end to the cylinder. The cylinder is movable axially within the cavity. The magnetic electrical contact has an electrical connection to a first conductive wire. The magnetic electrical contact is arranged to couple with an opposing contact pad to create an electrical connection between an external conductor path and the first conductive wire. Also, a magnetic electrical contact sensor system has a hollow enclosure with a detachable access panel. A meandering conductor path cover a portion of the access panel. The conductor path terminates on a contact pad. A magnetic electrical latch assembly has a housing for supporting the magnetic electrical contact within the enclosure.

Magnetic electrical contact sensor

A system or method for a magnetic self-aligning coupling device for a fiber optic cable. The device includes a first end coupling comprising a first magnet and a second magnet. Both magnets include a mating surface and an annular ring defining an axial aperture. The aperture receives a distal end of a segment of fiber optic cable in a tight fit. The fiber optic cable has an exterior sleeve and a fiber core. The fiber core of the first segment and the second segment of the fiber optic cable are axially aligned by magnetic force in the first and second apertures to create a continuous fiber optic path. A method for detecting a security breach of a door using the self-aligning couplings is also described.

Magnetic self-mating fiber optic connector and fiber optic switch sensor

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Thomas M Rice