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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2025

Filed:

Dec. 08, 2021
Applicant:

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, Llc, Albuquerque, NM (US);

Inventors:

Joshua Paquette, Albuquerque, NM (US);

Dennis P. Roach, Albuquerque, NM (US);

Thomas M. Rice, Albuquerque, NM (US);

Clay S. Newton, Cedar Crest, NM (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 29/04 (2006.01); G01N 29/06 (2006.01); G05B 19/19 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 29/048 (2013.01); G01N 29/069 (2013.01); G05B 19/19 (2013.01); G05B 2219/45098 (2013.01);
Abstract

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.


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