Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

Abstract: A system for automated bond testing includes a sensor that scans a material to be tested; a computer for comparing a reflected signal waveform to a plurality of signal waveforms indicating a defect in the material, and assigning a unique color to the match; a display that displays an image of the material having an assigned one of the plurality of colors indicative of a presence or absence of a defect in the test area; and an automated scanning platform that supports the sensor, the scanning platform moving the sensor in a preset motion over a surface of a test area of the material to be tested to perform an inspection scan of the material at the test area, and that positions the sensor at a predetermined position, a predetermined angle, and a predetermined contact force to acquire data consistently during an inspection.

Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

Abstract: A probe for detecting distortions in a material includes a probe body, a ferrite core in the probe body, an excitation coil encircling the ferrite core and adapted to generate eddy currents, further magnetic shielding surrounding the excitation coil, and at least one giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor disposed in magnetic field-communicating relationship with the excitation coil and off-center with respect to the excitation coil's axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for non-destructively testing a polymeric cylindrical object to measure aging characteristics includes a source of electrical energy, a monitoring device, a probe for engaging an inner surface of the cylindrical object, and a conductor connecting at least the source of electrical energy and the probe, the probe comprising contact portions having object engaging surfaces including capacitor circuitry thereon. The probe further includes a nose portion having recesses disposed about the circumference within which the contact portions are housed, the nose portion being engagable with an inner surface of the cylindrical object and the object engaging surfaces being movable between a first position in which the object engaging surfaces are housed entirely within recesses and a second position in which the object engaging surfaces are deployed away from the nose portion.

Abstract: A method using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to detect corrosion within metallic structures such as aluminum under non-ferromagnetic coatings without first having to remove the coatings. The metallic structure is placed within an external static magnetic field. A series of radio frequency preparation and inspection pulses is applied to the metallic with the preparation pulses, and for generating a series of nuclear magnetic resonance response signals with the inspection pulses. The response signals are detected and the amplitudes of the response signals are compared with the spin--spin relaxation time of corrosion for detecting the presence of corrosion in the structure.

Abstract: Thermal damage in resin-matrix composite materials is detected using a low field NMR nondestructive testing technique. The technique involves subjecting the resin-matrix composite material to an NMR measurement of the spin-lattice relaxation (T.sub.1) at a low magnetic field strength and/or the spin-lattice relaxation of local field order (T.sub.1D) at any field strength. Thermal damage is evident as an increase in T.sub.1 and T.sub.1D.