Abstract: A method for using an end effector for inspecting a structure is provided. An end effector includes a magnetically coupled attachment member for connecting the end effector to a control system bridge. An end effector also includes a telescoping arm at least partially disposed inside a tube. A force mechanism provides a force to extend the arm from the tube. A probe attachment, connected to the end of the arm opposite the tube, provides motion in at least one axis relative to the arm for an inspection probe attached to the end effector. Cut-off switches can be used to alert a control system to a separation of the end effector from the bridge and proximity of the bridge to a structure under inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include probes with sensing elements and are disposed proximate opposite surfaces of a structure, where only one of the probes need be driven. A tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. Ring magnets may be used in the driven and tracking probes to provide the magnetic coupling and align sensing elements disposed in the centers of the ring magnets. The probes may include a fluid bearing, such as a water bearing or an air bearing, for supporting the structure and maintaining the desired orientation and spacing of the probes relative to the structure. The fluid of a fluid bearing may be used as a couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and a structure. A flow moderating skirt may be used to with a probe employing a fluid bearing for support.

Abstract: An end effector for inspecting a structure is provided. An end effector includes a magnetically coupled attachment member for connecting the end effector to a control system bridge. An end effector also includes a telescoping arm at least partially disposed inside a tube. A force mechanism provides a force to extend the arm from the tube. A probe attachment, connected to the end of the arm opposite the tube, provides motion in at least one axis relative to the arm for an inspection probe attached to the end effector. Cut-off switches can be used to alert a control system to a separation of the end effector from the bridge and proximity of the bridge to a structure under inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include receiving probes and area transducers disposed proximate opposite surfaces of a structure under inspection. An area transducer uniformly emits ultrasonic signals over an area which may be scanned by a receiving probe without corresponding movement of the area transducer. An area transducer may be moved over the surface of the structure or repositioned to provide additional inspection area for the receiving probe to scan, including to provide for continuous inspection. Multiple area transducers may be used in sequence to provide for continuous inspection. Multiple receiving probes may be used, independently or collectively as an array, to increase inspection of a structure, taking advantage of the large area of ultrasonic signals emitted by one or more area transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include probes with sensing elements and are disposed proximate the opposite surfaces of a structure, where only one of the probes need be driven. A tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. Ring magnets may be used in the driven and tracking probes to provide the magnetic coupling and align sensing elements disposed in the centers of the ring magnets. The probes include ball bearings such as ball and socket bearings for supporting the structure and maintaining the desired orientation and spacing of the probes relative to the structure. A fluid, such as water or pressurized air, may be used as a couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and the structure. A water column skirt may be used to with a probe employing ball bearings for support.

Abstract: For inspecting a structure with non-destructive x-ray inspection, probes are magnetically coupled to opposing surfaces of the structure. An inspection device may be autonomous with a feedback-controlled motor and/or a positional encoder. An inspection device may include wireless operation for at least one probe. A display may be included to provide real-time visual images from an x-ray detector or an optical imager.

Abstract: An apparatus and method aligning magnetically coupled inspection probes are provided. In this regard, a tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. An alignment compensator for magnetically coupled inspection probes offsets misalignments between a driven probe and a tracking probe. Misalignments between magnetically coupled probes may be caused by gravity, friction, and movement of the probes. An alignment compensator may use one or more magnets, or electromagnets, to improve the alignment of the probes. An alignment compensator may include a control system for adjusting the power to an electromagnet or repositioning a magnet to offset misalignment of probes.

Abstract: For inspecting a structure with non-destructive x-ray laminography inspection, probes are magnetically coupled to opposing surfaces of the structure. The probes include an x-ray source and an x-ray detector which are driven to obtain inspection data that facilitates x-ray laminographic inspection of the structure. A device may be autonomous with a feedback-controlled motor and/or a positional encoder for translation of the probes. A device may include wireless operation. A display may be included to provide real-time visual images of the x-ray laminography or position information.

Abstract: There is provided a non-destructive inspection device having an actuating portion and at least one inspecting portion. The inspecting portion(s) are magnetically coupled to the actuating portion so that the inspecting portion(s) may be moved into limited-access areas to inspect features of a structure. The inspecting portion(s) each include at least one inspection sensor that transmits and/or receives signals that, when processed, indicate defects in the features of the structure. The inspection sensor of the inspecting portion is moveable relative to the housing of the inspecting portion to enable inspection of relatively larger areas of the structure being inspected. The inspection sensors may be moved, relative to the housing of the inspecting portion, manually and/or automatically.

Abstract: There is provided a non-destructive inspection device having an infrared sensor for infrared thermography inspection of a structure or surface. A rotatable reflector reflects infrared light from an inspected surface to an infrared sensor. An inspecting portion of a non-destructive device is magnetically coupled to an actuating portion of the device for concerted movement of the portions. An inspection device includes both an infrared sensor for infrared imaging and an optical device such as a camera for visible light imaging.

Abstract: There is provided a non-destructive inspection device having an actuating portion and at least one inspecting portion. The inspecting portion(s) are magnetically coupled to the actuating portion so that the inspecting portion(s) may be moved into limited-access areas to inspect features of a structure. The inspecting portion(s) each include at least one inspection sensor that transmits and/or receives signals that, when processed, indicate defects in the features of the structure. The actuating portion may include a handle for manual movement of the inspection device, or alternatively may include a motorized drive wheel for motorized positioning of the inspection device. A positional encoder device, such as an encoder wheel or optical encoder, may also be included in the actuating portion or inspecting portion(s) to monitor the location of the inspection device for more accurate or informative inspection results.

Abstract: There is provided a non-destructive inspection device having an actuating portion and at least one inspecting portion. The inspecting portion(s) are magnetically coupled to the actuating portion so that the inspecting portion(s) may be moved into limited-access areas to inspect features of a structure. The inspecting portion(s) each include at least one inspection sensor that transmits and/or receives signals that, when processed, indicate defects in the features of the structure. The actuating portion may include a handle for manual movement of the inspection device, or alternatively may include a motorized drive wheel for motorized positioning of the inspection device. A positional encoder device, such as an encoder wheel or optical encoder, may also be included in the actuating portion or inspecting portion(s) to monitor the location of the inspection device for more accurate or informative inspection results.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic inspection device that provides a locking mechanism for inspecting components at preset angles. The inspection device can inspect a component along an arc by inspecting the component at each preset angle, which provides complete and repeatable inspection results. The inspection device comprises a housing with a channel for the passage of an ultrasonic signal and an ultrasonic transducer to transmit and receive the ultrasonic signals. The housing also includes a rotating reflector to reflect the ultrasonic signal. Using a handle on the housing rotatably attached to the rotating reflector, a technician can rotatably position and lock the rotating reflector at a preset angle. The rotating reflector can be rotatably locked by a spring-loaded ball that is selectively received in detents defined by the rotating reflector or handle.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) image quality phantom for use in calibrating explosive detection systems (EDS) at airports. A foam core block containing up to five right cylinder rod members is positioned in a housing member which is adapted to be passed through an airport luggage scanning machine. The rod members are of different lengths in order to create different data slices for analysis. The housing has a lead-in member at least at one end in order to allow passage through an EDS more easily and provide accurate CT calibrating.

Abstract: A system for inspecting adhesive in a composite structure, such as for soft or improperly cured regions, includes a transducer and a processing element. The transducer can transmit a signal, such as an ultrasonic signal, into the adhesive such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic signal can propagate through the adhesive, reflect off of an interface between the adhesive and another material, and propagate back through the adhesive. Upon exiting the adhesive, then, the transducer can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. Thereafter, the processing element can identify a defect, such as soft or improperly cured regions, in the adhesive upon a relationship of an amplitude of the reflected portion of the reflected ultrasonic signal to a predefined threshold.