The Boeing Company

William Talion Edwards

Gary E Georgeson

Morteza Safai

James E Engel

Daniel Shedlock

Michael Louis Piasse

Craig Martin Farniok

Michael Liesenfelt

Yuan-Jye Wu

Chin Hoi Toh

Rodney Stephen Wright

Kirk Douglas Skaggs

Scott Randall Greene

Matthew Todd Grimshaw

Taisia Tsukruk Lou

William E Wojczyk, Jr

Billy Punlap Tung

John William Finlayson

Timothy John Suhr

Andrew Wall

Kava Sirvan Crosson-Elturan

Thomas Harland Bluhm

Gregory Paul Saguto

David M Siebenaler

Dan Shedlock

Justin Thomas

Douglas David Gaj

Timothy Joseph Josten

Daniel Ray Trapp

William Wojczyk

A method includes receiving three-dimensional (3D) measurement data based on a measurement of a first used component of a particular component type. The method also includes performing a comparison of the 3D measurement data to in-service tolerances associated with the particular component type, the in-service tolerances determined based on a measurement of at least a second used component of the particular component type and an evaluation of structural characteristics of the second used component. The method further includes generating, based on the comparison, an output indicating whether the first used component is acceptable for reuse.

System and method for evaluation of used components

Inspection systems employing radiation filters with different attenuation characteristics to determine specimen irregularities, and related methods are disclosed. An inspection system includes a radiation emitter configured to emit a radiation beam along a radiation trajectory. Some of the radiation may be reflected by the specimen as backscatter and received by at least one radiation detector of the inspection system along the radiation trajectory. Irregularities and various materials of the specimen may produce backscatter radiation at different energies and/or scatter angles which may be identified by employing radiation filters having different attenuation characteristics. By employing these filters in communication with the radiation emitter and the radiation detector, the backscatter radiation passed through the filters may be measured and integrated at different positions of the radiation beam to produce a composite image of the specimen. In this manner, irregularities and associated materials within the specimen may be more easily identified.

Backscatter inspection systems, and related methods

A method for detecting discrepancies in an item is provided. The method comprises: directing energy waves at the item along at least one dimension, wherein a portion of the energy waves are reflected back from the item; detecting reflected energy waves from the item along at least one dimension and recording the intensity of the detected reflected energy waves, and forming a one-dimensional image of the item from the detected reflected energy waves.

X-ray backscatter system and method for detecting discrepancies in items

A method and apparatus are presented. X-rays are directed at a workpiece. The workpiece includes a fastener installed in an opening. Backscatter is received from the workpiece. It is determined if the fastener installed in the opening has an out of tolerance gap using the backscatter. An output is generated if the fastener installed in the opening has the out of tolerance gap.

Detecting gaps between fasteners and openings

A measurement system including a tracking measurement device, a tracked measurement device, and a positioning unit disposed at least partly on the tracked measurement device. The positioning unit includes a tracking groove formed in a surface of the positioning unit, the tracking groove having a non-repeating pattern, and a positioning target configured to interface with the tracking groove so as to be movable within and along at least a portion of the tracking groove, where the positioning target is configured to interface with the tracking measurement device to effect a position determination of the tracked measurement device in a global coordinate system of the tracking measurement device.

Tracking measurement system and method

The present disclosure is generally directed to of method linear feature detection in a structure by providing a first digital image of the structure, creating a second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image and determining a direction to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image. A pixel shift value may be input to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image, and pixels of the second corresponding digital image are shifted by the input pixel shift value in the determined direction. A third corresponding digital image of the structure may be calculated by subtracting the second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image of the structure.

Method for improving linear feature detectability in digital images

A method and apparatus for inspecting sealant on an object. First data is generated for a first geometry of a first surface of the object prior to sealing the object. Second data is generated for a second geometry of a second surface of the object after the sealant has been applied to the object. A difference is identified between the first data and the second data. The difference indicates a thickness of the sealant on the object.

Sealant analysis system

A method and apparatus for inspecting an object is present. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source. A beam is formed from a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source using a collimator. The collimator is connected to the radiation source by a bearing system comprising a first structure associated with the radiation source and a second structure connected to the first structure. The second structure is configured to hold the collimator. The second structure of the bearing system is moved using a movement system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure. Rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point in the radiation source changes a direction in which the beam is directed.

Single beam backscatter x-ray system

A system and methods to record a configuration record for components of an asset is provided. The system includes a user interface device comprising a screen having a plurality of attributes and a plurality of link hotspots coupled to the plurality of attributes. A database is coupled to the user interface device, wherein the database includes an aspect associated with each of the plurality of attributes. The system includes a processor coupled to the user interface device and the database, wherein the processor configured to couple the aspect to the plurality of link hotspots.

Component configuration system and methods of operating same

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating a three-dimensional model of an object of interest in an aircraft. In response to transmitting a plurality of x-rays from a set of transmission points into the aircraft, backscatter x-ray data is received. The object identified from a two-dimensional diagram of the backscatter data. Points for the object are created from the identification of the object in the received data. The points are placed at a first distance from the transmission points to form a first curve. The points are placed at a second distance from the transmission points to form a second curve. A first surface is formed from the first and second curves. A second surface is formed that intersects the first surface to form an intersection. Three-dimensional data is generated for the three-dimensional model of the object from the intersection.

Method and apparatus for generating data for three-dimensional models from x-rays

Methods and systems for use in generating a volumetric reconstruction of an object using scattered X-ray radiography. An X-ray beam is directed towards a point within a target object. Scattered X-rays are measured by detectors and measurement data is stored. The X-ray beam is directed towards different points. Measurement data associated with each point is analyzed using a ray tracing methodology to assign contrast values to each point. A volumetric image is generated therefrom.

Methods and systems for volumetric reconstruction using radiography

A method for detecting an anomaly associated with a structure is described. The method includes obtaining a baseline scan of the structure, changing at least one condition associated with the structure which is intended to impart a movement of the structure or a movement of objects within the structure, obtaining a secondary scan of the structure, the secondary scan obtained from a same position, with respect to the structure, as the baseline scan, determining any differences between the baseline scan and the secondary scan, and identifying at least one of a foreign object proximate the structure and a structural anomaly associated with the structure based on any differences between the baseline scan and the secondary scan.

Methods and systems for enhancing backscatter X-ray foreign object debris detection

Methods and systems for populating fleet maintenance data using 2D feature recognition are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of determining a configuration of a vehicle includes surveying the vehicle using an imaging device to generate 2D imagery of a configuration of the vehicle. The generated 2D imagery of the configuration may be compared to a survey library of 2D images to identify a part in the configuration. Existing data from legacy systems may be extracted for the part. The part may be added to a bill of materials and used to create a 3D model of the vehicle.

Populating fleet maintenance data using 2D feature recognition

Methods and systems for inspecting objects are disclosed. A portable X-ray backscatter imaging system includes a microfocus X-ray tube to emit X-rays at an object under inspection. A track system rasters the microfocus X-ray tube to inspect the object. A portable hood may enclose the microfocus X-ray tube and the track system against the object A rotation mechanism rotates the microfocus X-ray tube to angle the emitted X-rays at the object. A plurality of solid state detectors receive scattered X-rays to generate an image of the object.

Portable X-ray back scattering imaging systems

Methods and systems for X-ray imaging are disclosed. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray tube to generate X-rays and a detector array to capture scattered X-rays. A rotational collimator directs the X-rays at an object under inspection. Rotational mechanisms rotate the X-ray tube and the detector array about a roll axis and a yaw axis to inspect various portions of the object. A track unit mechanism moves the X-ray imaging system linearly along a track unit to further inspect portions of the object.

Growing community of inventors

Foristell, MO, United States of America

William Talion Edwards