Abstract: An example system for inspecting railcar axles includes a flash source, an infrared camera, and a trigger sensor. The flash source is configured to apply a thermal pulse toward a surface of a railcar axle of a railcar wheelset, while the railcar wheelset is on a track. The infrared camera is configured to capture infrared data indicative of a thermal response of the surface of the railcar axle to the thermal pulse. The trigger sensor is configured to trigger the flash source to apply the thermal pulse based on a position of the railcar wheelset on the track. The example system can also include a processor configured to determine whether the captured infrared data is indicative of a crack on the surface of the railcar axle, and a vision camera configured to capture an image of the surface of the railcar axle.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a beam guide comprising an input aperture, a cavity, and a plurality of output apertures. The input aperture is coupled with the cavity and configured to receive a laser beam and to direct the laser beam into the cavity. The plurality of output apertures is formed in the cavity and spaced apart along the cavity, wherein each output aperture of the plurality of output apertures is configured to direct a portion of the laser beam out of the cavity. The apparatus comprises a plurality of fiber optic lines coupled to the beam guide and configured to receive ultrasonic information corresponding to portions of the laser beam that have exited the cavity through the plurality of output apertures.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide magnetic carbon nanotube clusters configured to form electrically conductive coatings. A magnetic carbon nanotube cluster is formed by receiving a magnetic particle, forming a plurality of carbon nanotube catalyst nanoparticles on an outer surface of the magnetic particle, and forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending from the catalyst nanoparticles while the magnetic particle is levitated within a nanotube growth chamber to form the magnetic carbon nanotube cluster. A plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters are suspended in a carrier fluid, the carrier fluid is flowed over a surface of an object, and a magnetic field is applied to the carrier fluid while it is flowing over the surface to cause the plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters to form a coating on the surface of the object.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (mem) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaped carbon nanotube is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode. A system for making the device includes a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region of a furnace to produce a controlled, time-varying electric field. A controller for the system is connected to a power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to produce the electric field. A mixture of gases is passed through the furnace with the temperature raised to cause chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon on a catalyst. The sequentially time-varying electric field parameterizes a growing nanotube into a predetermined shape.

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 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, apply a transfer function to generate a transfer curve representing x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A method and a system for scanning an elongate structure. A scan of the elongate structure with a fluid in a cavity of the elongate structure is received. The scan is generated by a scanner using an x-ray beam. Data in the scan is filtered to remove a portion of the data in the scan attributable to the fluid to form filtered data, enabling detecting an inconsistency on a wall of the elongate structure in the filtered data.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus for scanning an elongate structure. A scanner in a scanning system is moved on a helical path around the elongate structure. The scanner is moved on the helical path around the elongate structure using a helical track system attached to the elongate structure using a translating structure. An x-ray beam is emitted from the scanner while the scanner moves on the helical path. Backscatter is detected from the x-ray beam encountering the elongate structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-spectral X-ray target and source are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method comprises emitting, by a source of the X-ray generator, electrons towards a section of a multi-spectral X-ray target of the X-ray generator. In one or more embodiments, the multi-spectral X-ray target is rotatable and comprises a plurality of sections, which each comprise an X-ray generating material and at least two of the sections comprise a different X-ray generating material. The method further comprises generating a set of X-rays, when the electrons impinge on the section of the multi-spectral X-ray target. The method further comprises rotating the multi-spectral X-ray target such that the source is in position to project the electrons towards another section of the multi-spectral X-ray target. Further, the method comprises repeating the above method steps for all of the remaining sections of the multi-spectral X-ray target.

Abstract: A method and system for an aerospace vehicle. A pulse of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted into the composite sandwich panel such that the composite sandwich panel is heated above an ambient temperature. An amount of infrared radiation generated in the composite sandwich panel is detected in response to transmitting the pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the composite sandwich panel using a time window selected to detect the amount of infrared radiation when the pulse of electromagnetic radiation heats the composite sandwich panel. The amount of infrared radiation detected indicates a level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel.

Abstract: A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface includes an ultraviolet light source configured to direct ultraviolet light across a surface. The surface is an outer surface of a composite part being formed by a composite layup machine. The system includes an ultraviolet light camera configured to scan the surface and output a first signal proportional to reflected ultraviolet light reflected by at least one of the surface and a first type of foreign object debris material. The reflected ultraviolet light is responsive to the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source. The system also includes a controller coupled to the ultraviolet light source and to the ultraviolet light camera. The controller is configured to compare the first signal from the ultraviolet light camera with a first threshold to detect presence of the first type of foreign object debris material.

Abstract: A vacuum system and method for inspecting a workpiece that can include use of the vacuum system, where the vacuum system can include a housing defining at least a portion of a vacuum chamber, a piston within the housing that oscillates to vary a volume of the vacuum chamber, a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, and a hood in fluid communication with the second valve and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum system can include high-speed valves that enable vacuum system cycling and thus vacuum pressure cycling at a rapid frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhanced vacuum bags. One embodiment is a method that includes placing a laminate comprising uncured fiber reinforced polymer onto a mandrel, laying up a vacuum bag, which includes integral ultrasonic transducers within a gas-impermeable layer, atop the laminate, and sealing the vacuum bag to the mandrel. The method also includes drawing a vacuum on the laminate via the vacuum bag, removing gas between the integral ultrasonic transducers and the laminate, and interrogating the laminate with the integral ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: An electronic feeler gauge comprises a sensor blade, a transmitting system, and a receiving system. The sensor blade comprises transmission induction coils, reception induction coils, and measurement sites, spaced in two dimensions about the sensor blade. Each of the measurement sites is associated with at least one of the transmission induction coils and at least one of the reception induction coils. The transmitting system is configured to drive modulated signals across the transmission induction coils to produce transmitted probe signals from the transmission induction coils. The receiving system is configured to receive response signals from the reception induction coils due to the transmitted probe signals.

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: 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: A vacuum system and method for inspecting a workpiece that can include use of the vacuum system, where the vacuum system can include a housing defining at least a portion of a vacuum chamber, a piston within the housing that oscillates to vary a volume of the vacuum chamber, a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, and a hood in fluid communication with the second valve and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum system can include high-speed valves that enable vacuum system cycling and thus vacuum pressure cycling at a rapid frequency.

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: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for detecting one or more thermal and/or mechanical properties of a structure. The method may include forming one or more test structures from a material that forms the structure, generating and storing calibration data determined from the one or more test structures, emitting X-ray radiation into the structure, detecting X-ray scatter from the structure, and determining the one or more properties of the structure based on the detected X-ray scatter and the calibration data.

Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.