Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes at least one imaging device configured to direct electromagnetic radiation towards a build layer of a component positioned within a powder bed of the additive manufacturing system. The additive manufacturing system also includes at least one detector configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation that reflects from the build layer.

Abstract: A radiography imaging system for generating images of a pipe assembly includes a radiation source for emitting rays. The pipe assembly includes at least one of a pipe, tubing, and a weld. The radiation source includes a radioactive isotope having an activity level within a range between about 1 Curie and about 40 Curies. The radiation source is positioned adjacent a portion of the pipe assembly. A detector is positioned opposite the radiation source. The portion of the pipe assembly is positioned between the radiation source and the detector such that the rays interact with the portion of the pipe assembly and strike the detector. The detector includes an imaging plate that is activated by illumination with the rays with an exposure within a range between about 0.5 Curie-minute and about 5 Curie-minutes of radiation. The imaging plate has a thickness within a range between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes at least one imaging device configured to direct electromagnetic radiation towards a build layer of a component positioned within a powder bed of the additive manufacturing system. The additive manufacturing system also includes at least one detector configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation that reflects from the build layer.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining component wear is provided. The monitoring system includes a memory device configured to store a reference model of a component and a component wear monitoring (CWM) device configured to receive a component image of a first component being inspected, detect a plurality of manmade structural features in the received component image, adjust the component image to mask out at least some of the plurality of manmade structural features from the received component image, compare the adjusted component image with the reference model to determine one or more potential defect areas in the first component, analyze each of the one or more defect areas to determine a state of the potential defect areas, and output the state of the one or more potential defect areas to a user.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for elementally detecting variations in density. The method includes providing a computed tomography device, comprising a radiation source, a detector, and at least one grating between the radiation source and the detector, positioning the component between the radiation source and the detector, directing radiation from the radiation source to the detector to acquire information from the component, generating at least one phase contrast image and at least one dark field contrast image of the component corresponding to variations in density with the information from the component, correlating the variations in density to a foreign mass, and displaying foreign mass distribution within the component.

Abstract: A well integrity inspection system configured to inspect a well structure including multiple concentric layers. The well integrity inspection system includes an inspection probe positioned in the well structure. The inspection probe includes a plurality of excitation assemblies for transmitting a plurality of radiation emissions into the well structure. The plurality of excitation assemblies includes at least a neutron excitation assembly and an X-ray excitation assembly. The inspection probe also includes a plurality of detection assemblies configured to receive a plurality of backscatter radiation returns from the well structure. The plurality of detection assemblies includes at least a neutron detection assembly and an X-ray detection assembly. The well integrity inspection system further including a processor operatively coupled to the inspection probe.

Abstract: Systems for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of molds and crucibles used in investment casting processes include a support, a 3D scanning device, and a computer component. Methods for non-destructive evaluation include providing a system for non-destructive evaluation of a mold or crucible; securing a mold or crucible to the support of the system; and operating the 3D scanning device of the system in conjunction with the computer component in order to create a 3D structure difference map that indicates whether the mold or crucible falls within or outside a desired structural integrity parameter range.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining component wear is provided. The monitoring system includes a memory device configured to store a reference model of a component and a component wear monitoring (CWM) device configured to receive a component image of a first component being inspected, detect a plurality of manmade structural features in the received component image, adjust the component image to mask out at least some of the plurality of manmade structural features from the received component image, compare the adjusted component image with the reference model to determine one or more potential defect areas in the first component, analyze each of the one or more defect areas to determine a state of the potential defect areas, and output the state of the one or more potential defect areas to a user.

Abstract: A radiography imaging system for generating images of a pipe assembly includes a radiation source for emitting rays. The pipe assembly includes at least one of a pipe, tubing, and a weld. The radiation source includes a radioactive isotope having an activity level within a range between about 1 Curie and about 40 Curies. The radiation source is positioned adjacent a portion of the pipe assembly. A detector is positioned opposite the radiation source. The portion of the pipe assembly is positioned between the radiation source and the detector such that the rays interact with the portion of the pipe assembly and strike the detector. The detector includes an imaging plate that is activated by illumination with the rays with an exposure within a range between about 0.5 Curie-minute and about 5 Curie-minutes of radiation. The imaging plate has a thickness within a range between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.

Abstract: A method for determining a height of a feature of an object is provided. The method includes generating, using a computing device, on an image of a scan volume that includes the object, a marker that crosses an edge of the feature, calculating, using the computing device, for each of a plurality of laminographic images, a profile along the generated marker, each laminographic image having an associated height, computing, using the computing device, an edge slope associated with the feature for each of the plurality of profiles, identifying, using the computing device, a focused laminographic image as the laminographic image of the plurality of laminographic images having the steepest edge slope, and determining the height of the object as the height associated with the focused laminographic image.

Abstract: A well integrity inspection system configured to inspect a well structure including multiple concentric layers. The well integrity inspection system includes an inspection probe positioned in the well structure. The inspection probe includes a plurality of excitation assemblies for transmitting a plurality of radiation emissions into the well structure. The plurality of excitation assemblies includes at least a neutron excitation assembly and an X-ray excitation assembly. The inspection probe also includes a plurality of detection assemblies configured to receive a plurality of backscatter radiation returns from the well structure. The plurality of detection assemblies includes at least a neutron detection assembly and an X-ray detection assembly. The well integrity inspection system further including a processor operatively coupled to the inspection probe.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for elementally detecting variations in density. The method includes providing a computed tomography device, comprising a radiation source, a detector, and at least one grating between the radiation source and the detector, positioning the component between the radiation source and the detector, directing radiation from the radiation source to the detector to acquire information from the component, generating at least one phase contrast image and at least one dark field contrast image of the component corresponding to variations in density with the information from the component, correlating the variations in density to a foreign mass, and displaying foreign mass distribution within the component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of molds and crucibles used in investment casting processes, including, without limitation, for producing aircraft engines, land-based turbine engines, and the like. According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for non-destructive evaluation that includes a support, a 3D scanning device, and a computer component. According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for non-destructive evaluation that includes the steps of: providing a system for non-destructive evaluation of a mold or crucible according to the present disclosure; securing a mold or crucible to the support of the system; and operating the 3D scanning device of the system in conjunction with the computer component in order to create a 3D structure difference map that indicates whether the mold or crucible falls within or outside a desired structural integrity parameter range.

Abstract: A system for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets is provided. The inspection system is configured to use X-ray radiation at one or more energies to probe nuclear fuel pellets disposed within a nuclear fuel rod for nuclear fuel pellet defects. In some implementations of the inspection system, a nuclear fuel rod manufacturing facility may be able to integrate the inspection system for fully or partially automated inspection of all fuel rods produced within the facility.

Abstract: A computed radiography reading system and method. The system includes an exposed computed radiography plate, a two-dimensional pixelized array, and a heating element. The heating element conducts heat to the computed radiography plate and the computed radiography plate releases entrained light signals to the two-dimensional pixelized array in response to the conducted heat.

Abstract: Intra-detector scatter correction methods to improve X-ray images. The method of correcting an X-ray image includes: receiving an original two-dimensional X-ray image; calculating a theoretical scattered image for a array of detector pixels by generating a theoretical point spread (TPS) function of a single pixel for a single line array of detector pixels, based on a system parameter; aggregating the TPS function into a full rotation of line arrays, so as to generating a TPS function for a 2-dimensional array of pixels; and applying the TPS function for a 2-dimensional array of pixels to a plurality of pixels in the detector; and then subtracting the theoretical scattered image from the original two-dimensional X-ray image, so as to create an improved X-ray image.

Abstract: Imaging systems including a multiple focal spot x-ray source adapted to irradiate an object with a series of angularly displaced x-ray beams, one at a time, without substantial rotation or translation of the multiple focal spot x-ray source are provided. Such systems also includes a detector adapted to receive at least a fraction of the angularly displaced x-ray beams after being attenuated by the object to produce at least two x-ray projection images of the object. The imaging systems also include a processor adapted to shift and add the at least two x-ray projection images to bring at least two planes of the object into focus, one at a time.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The inspection system includes at least one source configured to emit a beam of radiation onto an object. The inspection system also includes at least two area detectors having different characteristics configured to receive a reflected beam of radiation from the object and output a plurality of image data streams corresponding to the different characteristics, wherein the at least two area detectors disposed in at least one of a cascaded arrangement or separated by a pre-determined distance along a direction parallel or perpendicular to a scan direction of the object.

Abstract: A system for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets is provided. The inspection system is configured to use X-ray radiation at one or more energies to probe nuclear fuel pellets disposed within a nuclear fuel rod for nuclear fuel pellet defects. In some implementations of the inspection system, a nuclear fuel rod manufacturing facility may be able to integrate the inspection system for fully or partially automated inspection of all fuel rods produced within the facility.

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.