Abstract: A system for detecting a contaminant in a container is provided. The system includes a laser source configured to emit a laser beam into the container, an imaging array configured to detect the laser beam as imaging data, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the imaging array. The computing device is configured to determine, from the imaging data, a plurality of beam path length differences due to the contaminant, and calculate, from the beam path length differences, a volume of contaminant in the container.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite fiber materials, methods of manufacturing pre-impregnated composite fiber materials, and methods for determining the suitability of a pre-impregnated composite fiber material for incorporation into a composite structure.

Abstract: An optical scanning assembly for use in inspecting a channel is provided. The assembly includes a housing and an inspection probe that selectively advances from the housing along an axis. The probe includes a light source that directs light towards at least one side wall of the channel and a light detector that receives the light reflected from the side wall. The assembly further includes a controller in communication with the inspection probe. The controller obtains a first optical length measurement for the light reflected from the side wall when the inspection probe is in a first position along the axis within the channel, obtain a second optical length measurement for the light reflected from the side wall when the inspection probe is in a second position along the axis within the channel, and compare the first and second optical length measurements to determine variations in a geometry of the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising an array of piezoelectric elements, a flexible substrate connected to the array of piezoelectric elements, and an organic circuit system formed on the flexible substrate and connected to the array of piezoelectric elements. The flexible substrate is configured to substantially conform to a surface of a test object. The organic circuit system is configured to cause the array of piezoelectric elements to send sound signals into the test object.

Abstract: Systems and processes for enabling an off-site expert to interact with an on-site technician during repair of composite structure. The off-site expert can provide real-time guidance to an on-site technician before and during the performance of repair procedures to avoid errors. The off-site expert is also able to monitor the repair procedures in real time to verify that correct procedures are being employed. In particular, the systems and processes disclosed herein can provide direct visual guidance, feedback, and out-of-plan warnings for manual or automated scarfing and other operations during repair of composite structure. In some embodiments, the repair process combines optical three-dimensional surface measurement, illumination by at least one of visible, ultraviolet and infrared light, and digital light processing projection to provide step-by-step monitoring of the repair.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for testing a structure of an object. According to one embodiment, the system includes a vibration initiator that imparts an acoustic shockwave to an object. The system also includes an acoustic detector array that senses the acoustic shockwave as it propagates through the object, in which the acoustic detector array comprises a plurality of quantum microphones. The system further includes a reporting unit that receives sensed acoustic shockwave data from the acoustic detector array and produces a structural integrity report.

Abstract: A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object and heating the bond interface with sound waves. Heating the bond interface may include applying ultrasonic sound waves to the bond interface.

Abstract: An ice protection system and method are provided that facilitate the prevention or reduction in ice formation upon an aerodynamic surface. The ice protection system may include an aerodynamic surface that includes a susceptor formed of a ferromagnetic material that is located proximate an outer mold line of a leading edge of the aerodynamic surface. The ice protection system may also include at least one induction coil and a signal source configured to provide alternating current to the at least one induction coil to thereby generate an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field creates an eddy current in the susceptor so as to heat the leading edge of the aerodynamic surface. A corresponding ice protection method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface of a composite part being manufactured. A platform is configured to move over the surface. A thermal excitation source is fixed to the platform and configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface. An infrared camera is also fixed to the platform and configured to scan the surface as the platform moves over the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source. A controller is coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera and is configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface.

Abstract: An alignment system for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided. Additionally, a method for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided. Further, a computer-readable storage device including computer-executable instructions for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support, a plurality of rods mounted on the support, the rods of the plurality of rods arranged in parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width, and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, and generate a display representing photon counts of x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an SMA actuator that includes a cooling device disposed within a torque tube. In one aspect, the cooling device includes a sliding sleeve, an expandable sleeve, and plurality of cooling fins coupled to the expandable sleeve. Axial movement of the sliding sleeve relative to the expandable sleeve facilitates radial expansion of the expandable sleeve and urges the cooling fins into contact with the torque tube. The cooling fins function as heat sinks when in contact with the torque tube to facilitate the removal of heat from the torque tube to increase the cooling rate of the torque tube. During heating of the torque tube, the cooling fins may be spaced apart from the torque tube to reduce the thermal mass that is heated, thus increasing the heating rate of the torque tube.

Abstract: A portable device for quantification of thermochromatic coating signatures is provided. The portable device includes a directing component configured to direct light to a target having a thermochromatic coating. Additionally, the portable device includes a conditioning component configured to condition reflected light from the target, the reflected light including thermochromatic coating signatures. The portable device also includes an image detector configured to generate images from the conditioned reflected light, and a processor configured to receive and analyze images from the image detector and identify at least one portion of the target that has exceeded a predefined temperature or predefined temperature variance based on the analyzed images.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a temperature of a battery is provided. The method includes applying a thermochromatic coating to a surface of the battery. The method additionally includes directing electromagnetic radiation towards the thermochromatic coating, observing a thermochromatic response of the thermochromatic coating to the electromagnetic radiation, and identifying at least one portion of the battery that has experienced a temperature above a predefined threshold temperature, based on the thermochromatic response.

Abstract: A method and system for applying conductive traces to a structure to complete an electrical circuit. One or more graphene traces is formed on a substrate. The substrate is applied to the structure such that one or more first portions of the electrical circuit are electrically connected to respective one or more second portions of the electrical circuit by respective ones of the one or more graphene traces. The substrate may be removed from the structure such that the graphene traces remain on the structure. The structure is preferably a fuselage of an aircraft and is formed from a composite material. The substrate may be applied to the structure is prior to curing of the composite material and/or prior to a complete formation of the fuselage, such that, after the fuselage is completely formed, the one or more graphene traces become embedded within the composite material forming the fuselage.

Abstract: A method of detecting high-temperature exposure of a composite may include applying a composition comprising an adduct suitable for detecting heat and/or mechanical stress in a composite, wherein the adduct reverts to first and second adduct components after exposure of the composition to a temperature of from about 190° C. to about 260° C. to a surface of the composite; exposing the surface to which the composition has been applied to ultraviolet light; and measuring fluorescence of the composition.

Abstract: A method and system for applying conductive traces to a structure to complete an electrical circuit. One or more graphene traces is formed on a substrate. The substrate is applied to the structure such that one or more first portions of the electrical circuit are electrically connected to respective one or more second portions of the electrical circuit by respective ones of the one or more graphene traces. The substrate may be removed from the structure such that the graphene traces remain on the structure. The structure is preferably a fuselage of an aircraft and is formed from a composite material. The substrate may be applied to the structure is prior to curing of the composite material and/or prior to a complete formation of the fuselage, such that, after the fuselage is completely formed, the one or more graphene traces become embedded within the composite material forming the fuselage.

Abstract: A camera system for producing super resolution images is disclosed. The camera system may include a target scene, a first detector configured to capture a first image of the target scene, and a second detector configured to capture a second image of the target scene. The first detector may include a first pitch, and the second detector may include a second pitch different from the first pitch.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to fabricate a composite part formed of a plurality of pieces of composite material in accordance with a predefined weight requirement. In the context of a system, a source of electromagnetic signals configured to impinge upon a supply of composite material is provided. The system also includes a detector to capture the electromagnetic signals following propagation through the supply of composite material during which at least some of the electromagnetic signals are absorbed by the composite material in a manner proportional to the density of the composite material. The system further includes a computing system to generate a weight distribution map of the supply of composite material based upon the electromagnetic signals captured following propagation through the supply. The weight of a plurality of pieces of composite material cut from the supply of composite material and combined into a composite part is determinable.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to of method linear feature detection in a structure by providing a first digital image of the structure, creating a second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image and determining a direction to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image. A pixel shift value may be input to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image, and pixels of the second corresponding digital image are shifted by the input pixel shift value in the determined direction. A third corresponding digital image of the structure may be calculated by subtracting the second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image of the structure.