The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 17, 2020
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2017
Spirit Aerosystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US);
Mark Davis Haynes, Andover, KS (US);
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US);
Abstract
A handheld device for making 3D topography measurements of surface discontinuities in high performance structures, such as aerostructures (e.g., aluminum fuselages). Lights illuminate the discontinuity from multiple angles, and a camera captures images of the discontinuity. A thickness sensor generates thickness data regarding a thickness of the base material and the top protective coating. A position sensor generates position data regarding a location of the discontinuity on the structure. A processor generates geometry data regarding a geometry of the discontinuity based on the images, performs an analysis of the geometry, thickness, and position data, and communicates a result of the analysis on a display. A conforming membrane and/or a gel and an opaque lubricant may be applied over and conform to the discontinuity in order to make more uniform a reflectivity difference and a color difference between the discontinuity and an adjacent portion of the structure.