Abstract: A method includes measuring a radius of curvature at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the first device. A second device is detachably coupled to the plurality of positions along the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe. A wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the second device. A cross-sectional area of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured based on a measurement data including the radius of curvature and wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe.

Abstract: A computed radiography system is provided. The computed radiography system includes an imaging plate configured to store a radiation energy pattern of an object or emit multiple prompt emission photons of the radiation energy pattern upon irradiation or a combination thereof. The computed radiography system also includes at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the imaging plate for a time period of less than about a second. The at least one light source is configured to stimulate at least one of an emission of multiple photons of the radiation energy pattern stored in the imaging plate. The computed radiography system further includes a two dimensional imager configured to capture at least one two dimensional image from the at least a sub-area of the imaging plate using one of an image emitted from the radiation energy pattern stored or an image emitted from prompt emission or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A computed radiography plate including a substrate is provided. The computed radiography plate also includes at least one phosphor layer disposed above the substrate. The computed radiography plate also includes a protective layer disposed above the phosphor layer. The computed radiography plate further includes multiple patterns inscribed within at least one of the phosphor layer, the protective layer or the substrate.

Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.

Abstract: A computed radiography plate including a substrate is provided. The computed radiography plate also includes at least one phosphor layer disposed above the substrate. The computed radiography plate also includes a protective layer disposed above the phosphor layer. The computed radiography plate further includes multiple patterns inscribed within at least one of the phosphor layer, the protective layer or the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a radius of curvature at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the first device. A second device is detachably coupled to the plurality of positions along the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe. A wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured through the second device. A cross-sectional area of the predetermined section of the pipe is measured based on a measurement data including the radius of curvature and wall thickness at each of the plurality of positions of the outer peripheral surface of the predetermined section of the pipe.

Abstract: A computed radiography system is provided. The computed radiography system includes an imaging plate configured to store a radiation energy pattern of an object or emit multiple prompt emission photons of the radiation energy pattern upon irradiation or a combination thereof. The computed radiography system also includes at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the imaging plate for a time period of less than about a second. The at least one light source is configured to stimulate at least one of an emission of multiple photons of the radiation energy pattern stored in the imaging plate. The computed radiography system further includes a two dimensional imager configured to capture at least one two dimensional image from the at least a sub-area of the imaging plate using one of an image emitted from the radiation energy pattern stored or an image emitted from prompt emission or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for obtaining data from an imaging plate is provided. The system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam and a controller operably connected to the light source and configured to scan the light beam across an object in a first direction. The system further includes a mask comprising a positionable aperture configured to transmit the light beam to the object. A position of the aperture is synchronized with a position of the light beam.

Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.

Abstract: A part marking technique based on a string of alphanumeric human-readable characters which are “printed” using a “texture” which is “cut-out” from a two-dimensional redundant bit pattern, e.g., a two-dimensional matrix of data cells selectively occupied or not occupied by dots or other suitable geometric shapes. The bit pattern is readable by a system comprising an imager and a computer for processing the data contained in the acquired image. In the case of a bit pattern formed by visible dots, the system comprises an optical detector, e.g., a television camera or other imager. The part marking is simultaneously readable by a human and a computer system.

Abstract: An inspection and sorting system for part repair includes at least one sensor for inspecting a part. The sensor is configured to obtain inspection data for the part. A comparison module is configured to receive the inspection data, to generate a repair profile for the part using the inspection data, and to compare the repair profile with a baseline to arrive at a repair recommendation for the part. A method includes inspecting a part with at least one sensor to obtain preliminary inspection data for the part. The method further includes generating a preliminary repair profile from the preliminary inspection data, comparing the preliminary repair profile with a baseline, and arriving at a repair recommendation for the part based on the comparison.

Abstract: A reduced access field inspection system includes a multimodality endoscopic assembly. Circuitry is coupled to the multimodality endoscopic assembly for generating signals associated with the multimodality endoscopic assembly. A communications link links the circuitry to a remote center of excellence for providing maintenance information.

Abstract: A durable part marking is achieved by local surface material modification. Selected surface area properties of the part are altered without substantial alteration of the physical configuration of the part. The alterations are placed in a coherent pattern accomplishing a durable method of identification marking on a part. Subsequently, the coherent pattern is detected and the coherent pattern interpreted to retrieve the original identification marking. Unlike labeling, ink marking, stamping or etching, many surface or near-surface modifications are not necessarily visible to the human eye. Hence, the invention includes: 1) a method for surface modification, 2) a method for assuring enhanced readability and accuracy of the read back of the encoded data, and 3) a method for locating the surface alteration.

Abstract: A method of acquiring a three-dimensional surface image of an object using a range camera automatically calculates an optimal number of scans. The optimal number of scans is calculated in accordance with operator-defined and camera optical parameters. Scan data acquired for each scan is merged with a preference for higher resolution data over lower resolution data for any given scanned area, such that the merged scan data forms the three-dimensional surface image of the object.

Abstract: Shape of a long reach device, e.g., a welding torch, suitable for use within a portion of an object along a joint curve, e.g., a weld joint, is determined by dissecting the long reach device into a discrete number of portions, identifying ranges of movement between each of the portions, and discretizing the ranges of movement into a predetermined number of intervals. A total number of possible shapes is determined based on the total portions of the long reach device having the first movement range discretized into a predetermined number of intervals. A representation of the long reach device having one of the possible shapes is compared with the representation of the portion of the object.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging device includes a borescope and an x-ray detector positioned at a distal end of the borescope. The x-ray detector can be configured to be movable into and out of an optical path and can include a scintillation screen. The movably configured x-ray detector can be moved into the optical path, when x-rays are impinging, and out of the optical path, when a visible image of a test object is desired, facilitating navigation of the x-ray detector through a test object. The x-ray imaging device can include an imager, for converting an image to an electronic format. The imager can be positioned at the proximal end of the borescope, with the borescope including a waveguide, for guiding light to a proximal end thereof. Alternatively, the imager can be positioned between the distal end of the borescope and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: A micrometer system includes a motorized drive for repeatedly advancing and retracting the micrometer barrel, and a touch sensor for sensing when the barrel tip has just touched the target surface. The drive is preferably mounted on the micrometer body. By performing a measurement repeatedly, a series of readings can be obtained which cumulatively increases measurement accuracy, especially when contact must be made to a compliant surface.

Abstract: Graphical representations of a machine structure desired to be measured are pre-stored in a video storage device. A user selects dimensions of the machine to be measured through a manual input device. The preferred viewpoints for this measurement are determined by a image creation device. These viewpoints are provided to video storage device to create an image of the machine structure showing the dimension to be measured. An instructional video overlay device receives an indication from the manual input device of the dimension to be measured. It then provides a graphical overlay of a preferred tool to be used and shows its preferred positioning and use on the machine image from image creation device. These are merged by a video merge device and displayed to a user on a display device. The users then selects the tool, positions, and uses it as instructed. When activated by the user, the tool directly provides measurement information to a control device which stores the information, reducing human error.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for real time tracking of position and orientation, termed "pose", of a remote camera. While remote cameras have been used on a regular basis to inspect machinery for wear or damage, knowing the exact location of a camera is difficult. Off-line feature extraction is employed with on-line pose determination. The feature extraction precomputes features from a CAD model of the object visible in a selected set of views. The on-line pose determination starts from an initial pose estimate, determines the visible model features, projects them into a two-dimensional image coordinate system, matches each to the current camera image, and uses the differences between the predicted and matched feature positions in a gradient descent technique to iteratively refine the pose estimate. The on-line portion of the system is designed to execute at video frame rates, providing a continual indication of borescope tip pose.

Abstract: An Optical Probe Measurement Device accurately and efficiently measures locations of visible features of a structure without making contact with the structure. It employs a centering microscope which a user looks through to locate the feature to be measured. The centering microscope is connected to an orientation plate in a known pose which has targets measurable with a 3D measurement device. The 3D measurement device determines 3D locations of the targets. A light source is attached to the orientation plate to produce a light beam which intersects the optical axis at the focal point of the centering microscope, being a distance D.sub.0 away from the end of the centering microscope. When this light beam impinges on the surface of the structure at the same location as the feature seen in the centering microscope, the feature is exactly the D.sub.0 away from the centering microscope.