Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system is capable of producing A-scans, B-scans, and C-scans of the test object and automatically highlighting potential foreign objects within the test object based on the scan data. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of displaying a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. In one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence module capable of highlighting foreign objects in order to provide size data, shape data, and/or depth data of the foreign object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus including a first central base attached to a second central base, connected by a bridge, with a space defined between the two central bases. The first central base and the second central base are each attached to a plurality of wheels extending into the space between the two central bases, with the plurality of wheels configured to translate the apparatus along a rotorcraft blade. The first central base and/or the second central base include a recess configured to receive a connection arm attached to a non-destructive scanning device. The apparatus is able to be used for ultrasonic, radiographic, eddy current, thermographic, acoustic, or visual non-destructive testing.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system is capable of producing A-scans, B-scans, and C-scans of the test object and automatically highlighting potential foreign objects within the test object based on the scan data. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of displaying a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. In one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence module capable of highlighting foreign objects in order to provide size data, shape data, and/or depth data of the foreign object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing to monitor the curing process of a resin and filled resin materials during manufacture. The inventors have discovered that ultrasound parameters revealed in ultrasonic signal analysis reveals the degree of cure and therefore important curing stages during processing for a proper cure and allow the product to perform as intended. Generally, the ultrasound parameters include signal speed of sound and/or instantaneous peak power relative to wall-clock time of the ultrasound signal. The system and method can monitor the cure of resin and filled resin materials using instantaneous data without the need for previous data for that individual scan, can use ultrasound portably such that carbon fiber laminates can be monitored in-situ, and is conducive to isothermal cure or cure using a varying temperature profile. Thus, the invention represents a step in manufacturing of resin-curing products heretofore unavailable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system is capable of producing A-scans, B-scans, and C-scans of the test object and automatically highlighting potential foreign objects within the test object based on the scan data. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of displaying a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. In one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence module capable of highlighting foreign objects in order to provide size data, shape data, and/or depth data of the foreign object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as an air pocket, delamination, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting foreign objects within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each object area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for characterizing and quantifying composite laminate structures. The method and system take a composite laminate of unknown ply stack composition and sequence and determine various information about the individual plies, such as ply stack, orientation, microstructure, and type. The method and system distinguishes between weave types that exhibit similar planar stiffness behaviors, but which produce different failure mechanisms. Individual ply information then is used to derive the laminate bulk properties from externally provided constitutive properties of the fiber and matrix, including extensional stiffness, bending-extension coupling stiffness, bending stiffness, and the like. The laminate bulk properties are then used to generate a probabilistic failure envelope for the composite laminate.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for characterizing and quantifying composite laminate structures. The embodiments take a composite laminate of unknown ply stack composition and sequence and determine various information about the individual plies, such as ply stack, orientation, microstructure, and type. The embodiments distinguish between weave types that exhibit similar planar stiffness behaviors, but produce different failure mechanisms. Individual ply information is then used to derive the laminate bulk properties from externally provided constitutive properties of the fiber and matrix, including extensional stiffness, bending-extension coupling stiffness, bending stiffness, and the like. The laminate bulk properties are then used to generate a probabilistic failure envelope for the composite laminate. In some embodiments, ply stack type and sequence are also determined for a curved composite laminate using the disclosed embodiments by adding a rotational stage.

Abstract: A sensor array housing device includes an enclosed couplant housing section between a linear array of transducers or coils and a test object. The linear array is particularly suited for sectoral scanning of a test object. Interior surfaces of the couplant housing section include a plurality of ridges for mitigating the impact of reflected side lobes on scan data. The sensor array housing device includes a plurality of retained articulating balls, configured to allow the sensor array housing device to move omnidirectionally across a surface of the test object.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and characterizing wrinkles within a test object utilizing ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT). The system includes a phased-array ultrasonic probe having multiple elements, wherein the elements of the phased-array are able to be manipulated to change the steering angle relative to the surface of the test object of a focused beam produced by the phrased-array ultrasonic probe. Alternatively, the system is able to include an ultrasonic transducer operable to be physically rotated with respect to the surface of the test object. By changing the steering angle of the probe, the device performs a sectorial scan providing for improved resolution of wrinkles within the test object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic inspection of fused filament fabrication (FFF) manufactured samples and of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates is disclosed that includes performing a time-frequency transforms including the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and the wavelet synchrosqueezed transform (WSST), inspecting features in FFF manufactured samples for porosity, layer height and missing extrudate and visualizing CFRP laminate wrinkle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.