Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting defects in a laminate of uncured, compacted composite sheets. After a number of plies of composite sheets are arranged and compacted, a burst of heat energy is applied to a top surface of the laminate and a digital thermographic camera captures images of the top surface. A computer processor measures heat characteristics of the top surface to identify regions of the top surface with different heat characteristics. Such different areas are identified as regions that include a defect. The defect regions can be repaired by applying additional compaction and/or by removing at least a portion of some layers, removing any foreign object debris, replacing the layers, and compacting the replaced layers. After any defects are addressed, the laminate is cured.

Abstract: A fluidless roller probe device for performing structural integrity testing. A drum sensor has a shaft, a barrel-shaped inner portion mounted on the shaft, a sensor array having transmit elements and receive elements positioned on an outer surface of the inner portion, and an outer portion positioned over the sensor array. A shaft encoder is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. A support structure is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. Processing circuitry coupled to the transmit elements and receive elements is configured to activate, based on a signal from the shaft encoder, only that transmit element closest to the surface of the part under test and to calculate an output signal based on signals received from the receive elements. The transmit and receive elements are either ultrasonic transducers or eddy current coils. The transmit and receive elements are arranged in a lattice-like configuration.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and quantifying wrinkles in a composite structure by processing infrared image data. The intensity and first and second time derivatives thereof at a particular time can be displayed as thermography line profiles on a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the pixel number across the field of view of an infrared camera. The spatial derivatives of the foregoing thermography line profiles can also be calculated and displayed as a graph. The maximum amplitude (i.e., height) of an out-of-plane wrinkle can be determined using a correlation/calibration curve that is constructed by correlating infrared image data with optical measurement data. In addition, the wavelength and maximum amplitude of an in-plane wrinkle can be measured directly from the thermography line profiles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting defects in a laminate of uncured, compacted composite sheets. After a number of plies of composite sheets are arranged and compacted, a burst of heat energy is applied to a top surface of the laminate and a digital thermographic camera captures images of the top surface. A computer processor measures heat characteristics of the top surface to identify regions of the top surface with different heat characteristics. Such different areas are identified as regions that include a defect. The defect regions can be repaired by applying additional compaction and/or by removing at least a portion of some layers, removing any foreign object debris, replacing the layers, and compacting the replaced layers. After any defects are addressed, the laminate is cured.

Abstract: Methods for ultrasonic inspection of a structure by laying a flexible two-dimensional flexible ultrasonic transducer array over a damage site on the structure with minimal physical interaction with the array during set-up and without further movement of the array during data acquisition. In addition, the array may remain in place on a difficult-to-access surface to enable easy periodic inspections over a long period of time. In some embodiments, the array is sandwiched between a flexible delay line substrate and a flexible display panel. In accordance with one wireless embodiment, a GPS receiver, a transceiver, pulser/receiver circuitry, and a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery) are attached to a portion of the flexible delay line substrate that extends beyond one edge of the array.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) thermography system for inspecting porosity of a test part of a given thickness is provided. The IR thermography system may include a thermal detector configured to detect IR signals emitted from the test part, and a controller in electrical communication with at least the thermal detector. The controller may be configured to at least determine thermal test data associated with the test part based on the IR signals, generate thermal model data based on the thickness of the test part, and determine porosity of the test part based on a comparison between the thermal test data and the thermal model data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting defects in a laminate of uncured, compacted composite sheets. After a number of plies of composite sheets are arranged and compacted, a burst of heat energy is applied to a top surface of the laminate and a digital thermographic camera captures images of the top surface. A computer processor measures heat characteristics of the top surface to identify regions of the top surface with different heat characteristics. Such different areas are identified as regions that include a defect. The defect regions can be repaired by applying additional compaction and/or by removing at least a portion of some layers, removing any foreign object debris, replacing the layers, and compacting the replaced layers. After any defects are addressed, the laminate is cured.

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: Methods for ultrasonic inspection of a structure by laying a flexible two-dimensional flexible ultrasonic transducer array over a damage site on the structure with minimal physical interaction with the array during set-up and without further movement of the array during data acquisition. In addition, the array may remain in place on a difficult-to-access surface to enable easy periodic inspections over a long period of time. In some embodiments, the array is sandwiched between a flexible delay line substrate and a flexible display panel. In accordance with one wireless embodiment, a GPS receiver, a transceiver, pulser/receiver circuitry, and a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery) are attached to a portion of the flexible delay line substrate that extends beyond one edge of the array.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for non-destructive evaluation of depressions on a surface of an object are provided. One example system includes a measurement apparatus having a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, a delay line material, a sealing member position such that the sealing member forms a cavity between the delay line material and a surface of the object, and a liquid inlet for injecting a liquid into the cavity. The example system also includes a processor configured to determine, using ultrasonic signals received from the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, at least one property of a depression such as a dent on the surface of an object. The example system may also be configured to provide an output that is indicative of whether the at least one property of the depression satisfies a predetermined criterion. Another example system includes a compressible elastomeric delay line material that conforms to a surface of an object.

Abstract: A method for auto-calibrating a non-destructive testing instrument. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) determining a first set of coordinates in a test object coordinate system of the test object, the first coordinates representing a target position on a surface of the test object; (b) storing a calibration file in a memory of the non-destructive testing instrument, the calibration file containing calibration data which is a function of structural data representing a three-dimensional structure of the test object in an area containing the target position; (c) calibrating the non-destructive testing instrument using the calibration data in the calibration file; and (d) interrogating the target position using the calibrated non-destructive testing instrument.

Abstract: An integrated and networked system of remote operations is provided that extends remote expert NDT methodology to a variety of manufacturing and in-service processes. The functional elements of the system comprise remote NDT applications, advanced remote NDT, remote administration, remote NDT commercial operations, and remote data analytics, which are all tied together by a remote communications hub. The communications hub has communication links with computer systems of those functional elements.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and quantifying wrinkles in a composite structure by processing infrared imaging data. Temperature versus time profiles for all pixels in the field of view of an infrared camera are calculated, enabling thermal signatures to be produced. By comparing the thermal signature of the part under test with the thermal signature of a reference standard representing a similar part having wrinkles of known size and shape, the presence of wrinkles can be detected. The wrinkle wavelength can be determined by measuring the infrared image and applying a transfer function. If the geometric information acquired using infrared thermography does not reach a certain quality factor (for a quality prediction) or is incomplete, an ultrasonic transducer array probe running wrinkle quantification software can be rotated into position and scanned over the wrinkle area. The ultrasonic imaging data can be combined with the infrared imaging data to enable an improved quantification of the wrinkle geometry.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for real-time fusion of data acquired using ultrasonic and eddy current area sensors during nondestructive examination. The ultrasonic data is acquired using an array of ultrasonic transducer elements configured to enable the production and display of a C-scan of a small area. The ultrasonic transducer array may be one- or two-dimensional. The eddy current sensor can be a single pair of induction coils, a multiplicity of coil pairs, or a coil configuration in which the numbers of drive coils and sense coils are not equal. The eddy current sensor is able to provide data about the test material, such as material thickness or conductivity, to complement the ultrasonic data or enable auto-setup of the ultrasonic inspection device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. Images of heat generated by an inconsistency in the structure are received. A final image is generated from the images using portions of the images having a greatest amount of heat.

Abstract: A fluidless roller probe device for performing structural integrity testing. A drum sensor has a shaft, a barrel-shaped inner portion mounted on the shaft, a sensor array having transmit elements and receive elements positioned on an outer surface of the inner portion, and an outer portion positioned over the sensor array. A shaft encoder is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. A support structure is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. Processing circuitry coupled to the transmit elements and receive elements is configured to activate, based on a signal from the shaft encoder, only that transmit element closest to the surface of the part under test and to calculate an output signal based on signals received from the receive elements. The transmit and receive elements are either ultrasonic transducers or eddy current coils. The transmit and receive elements are arranged in a lattice-like configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface.