Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a gap between exterior structures and interior structures. The method comprises directing a transmitted m-wave signal from an exterior surface of the exterior structure into the exterior structure and the interior structure. The transmitted m-wave signal is generated by a gap sensing device that comprises an electromagnetic dual-tuned resonant coil sensor. The method also comprises measuring a received m-wave signal with the gap sensing device. The received m-wave signal comprises the transmitted m-wave signal influenced by the assembly. The method further comprises determining a size of the gap between the exterior structure and the interior structure based at least partially on at least one measured characteristic of the received m-wave signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for non-destructively a substrate using ultrasound waves, and enhancing resolution of imaging created from ultrasound signals that are back reflected from a substrate surface second, or back surface by maintaining the incident angles of the ultrasonic beams at the substrate second surface such that the ultrasonic beams strike the substrate second surface at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the complex geometric profile of the substrate second surface by supplying known spatial coordinates to the system to maintain the incident angles of the ultrasonic beams at a predetermined angle relative to the substrate second surface.

Abstract: A tool for detecting a covered edge of a structural member through sealant material of a fillet seal includes an edge detection probe mounted to a fixture. The probe outputs an interrogation signal toward the covered edge and receives a return signal indicative of a location of the covered edge. The tool includes an electronic control unit (“ECU”) in communication with the edge detection probe and a display screen. The ECU is configured to generate, from the return signal, one or more XY coordinates indicative of the edge location, and to display the edge location on the display screen. Additionally, the tool includes a seal measurement device. In response to the edge location, the device measures a predetermined dimension of the fillet seal, including a thickness and/or a shape of the fillet seal. A method includes detecting the covered edge using the tool.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting one or more misaligned seals is disclosed and includes a linear transducer array connected to a sleeve. The linear transducer array includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducers direct the ultrasonic waves towards one or more seals that are disposed underneath the sleeve. The inspection system also includes a rotational device configured to move the ultrasonic transducers around a circumference of the sleeve, one or more processors in electronic communication with the linear transducer array, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data into a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the inspection system to instruct the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a gap between exterior structures and interior structures. The method comprises directing a transmitted m-wave signal from an exterior surface of the exterior structure into the exterior structure and the interior structure. The transmitted m-wave signal is generated by a gap sensing device that comprises an electromagnetic dual-tuned resonant coil sensor. The method also comprises measuring a received m-wave signal with the gap sensing device. The received m-wave signal comprises the transmitted m-wave signal influenced by the assembly. The method further comprises determining a size of the gap between the exterior structure and the interior structure based at least partially on at least one measured characteristic of the received m-wave signal.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting one or more misaligned seals is disclosed and includes a linear transducer array connected to a sleeve. The linear transducer array includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers each configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducers direct the ultrasonic waves towards one or more seals that are disposed underneath the sleeve. The inspection system also includes a rotational device configured to move the ultrasonic transducers around a circumference of the sleeve, one or more processors in electronic communication with the linear transducer array, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data into a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the inspection system to instruct the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A tool for detecting a covered edge of a structural member through sealant material of a fillet seal includes an edge detection probe mounted to a fixture. The probe outputs an interrogation signal toward the covered edge and receives a return signal indicative of a location of the covered edge. The tool includes an electronic control unit (“ECU”) in communication with the edge detection probe and a display screen. The ECU is configured to generate, from the return signal, one or more XY coordinates indicative of the edge location, and to display the edge location on the display screen. Additionally, the tool includes a seal measurement device. In response to the edge location, the device measures a predetermined dimension of the fillet seal, including a thickness and/or a shape of the fillet seal. A method includes detecting the covered edge using the tool.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for non-destructively a substrate using ultrasound waves, and enhancing resolution of imaging created from ultrasound signals that are back reflected from a substrate surface second, or back surface by maintaining the incident angles of the ultrasonic beams at the substrate second surface such that the ultrasonic beams strike the substrate second surface at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the complex geometric profile of the substrate second surface by supplying known spatial coordinates to the system to maintain the incident angles of the ultrasonic beams at a predetermined angle relative to the substrate second surface.

Abstract: There is provided a system for using eddy current edge effect to measure a gap between two conductive parts. The system includes the two conductive parts, each having predetermined properties. The system includes a probe having a housing with a coil, and includes a reference gap standard, based on one or more reference gap measurements taken between at least two reference conductive parts separated by a gap distance, as specified by predetermined engineering requirements. The system includes an inspection instrument assembly coupled to the probe and having an inspection apparatus calibrated to the probe and the reference gap standard. The probe with the coil uses the eddy current edge effect to take the gap measurement and measure the gap. The gap measurement is compared to the reference gap standard, to determine whether the gap measurement is an acceptable result or an unacceptable result, based on the predetermined engineering requirements.

Abstract: There is provided a system for using eddy current edge effect to measure a gap between two conductive parts. The system includes the two conductive parts, each having predetermined properties. The system includes a probe having a housing with a coil, and includes a reference gap standard, based on one or more reference gap measurements taken between at least two reference conductive parts separated by a gap distance, as specified by predetermined engineering requirements. The system includes an inspection instrument assembly coupled to the probe and having an inspection apparatus calibrated to the probe and the reference gap standard. The probe with the coil uses the eddy current edge effect to take the gap measurement and measure the gap. The gap measurement is compared to the reference gap standard, to determine whether the gap measurement is an acceptable result or an unacceptable result, based on the predetermined engineering requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a hole in a laminated structure. An exemplary system includes a transducer assembly configured to direct sound waves substantially parallel to a surface of the hole. The system further includes a controller that collects A-scan data for multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly as the transducer assembly is rotated within the hole. The controller processes the A-scan data for the multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly to generate B-scan data, and displays the B-scan data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape.

Abstract: A geometry compensating transducer attachment for ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes a geometry-compensating structure having at least one angled surface configured to engage the structure to be inspected, and the geometry-compensating structure having an acoustic velocity generally matching an acoustic velocity of the structure to be inspected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring a thickness of an object. A first portion of a device is positioned on a first side of the object, and a second portion of the device is positioned on an opposite side of the object. The first portion includes at least one first mount and at least one eddy current sensor coupled to the first mount. The second portion includes at least one second mount and at least one target coupled to the second mount. The first mount is magnetically coupled to the second mount such that the eddy current sensor is oriented to interact with the target to enable the thickness of the object to be measured.

Abstract: A geometry compensating transducer attachment for ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes a geometry-compensating structure having at least one angled surface configured to engage the structure to be inspected, and the geometry-compensating structure having an acoustic velocity generally matching an acoustic velocity of the structure to be inspected.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus may include a chamber partly filled with water from a first portion of the chamber to a water-line disposed apart from a second portion of the chamber, and at least one transducer disposed apart from the water-line. The at least one transducer may emit ultrasonic signals through a portion of a part being inspected towards the water-line. The water-line may reflect the ultrasonic signals emitted from the at least one transducer off the water-line, back through a portion of a part being inspected, and back to the at least one transducer. In such manner, one or more portions of a complex-shaped part may be inspected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus may include a chamber partly filled with water from a first portion of the chamber to a water-line disposed apart from a second portion of the chamber, and at least one transducer disposed apart from the water-line. The at least one transducer may emit ultrasonic signals through a portion of a part being inspected towards the water-line. The water-line may reflect the ultrasonic signals emitted from the at least one transducer off the water-line, back through a portion of a part being inspected, and back to the at least one transducer. In such manner, one or more portions of a complex-shaped part may be inspected.