Abstract: A thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspection system scans a component using an infrared camera to capture a plurality of image frames of friction heat emitting from a possible defect in the component. The TAI inspection system generates a TAI scan that is provided to an indication analysis system having modules to determine whether one or more indications exist for the possible defects within the TAI scan. Each indication has attributes, including a matching score. The respective indication and its attributes are provided to a ranking system. The ranking system determines a priority score for the component or part of the component having the one or more indications based on the attributes. The priority score is used to rank the component or part of the component for further inspection operations.

Abstract: Methods are used by a thermal acoustic imaging (TAI) inspection system to identify potential defects within a component scanned, such as an engine fan blade. The inspection system generates a TAI scan having a plurality of frames. Indications are identified in at least one frame of the plurality of frames. An extractor model is applied to the plurality of frames to extract a plurality of spatial features corresponding to the indication. The plurality of spatial features is concatenated from each frame to generate a time series value of the values for the features. The plurality of spatial features is combined into multiple sequence data. The multiple sequence data includes a plurality of temporal features. The multiple sequence data is provided to train a neural network model to predict defects. For trained neural network models, the multiple sequence data is used to predict if the indication is a defect.

Abstract: Methods of conveying a glass ribbon are provided that each includes the step of conveying the glass ribbon over a support device with a cushion of fluid supporting the glass ribbon over the support device. Each method further includes the step of monitoring a physical contact event between the glass ribbon and the support device by detecting an acoustic signal associated with the physical contact event. In further examples, glass ribbon conveying apparatus are provided that each includes a support device configured to support a glass ribbon over the support device with a cushion of fluid. Each apparatus further includes an acoustic sensor configured to monitor a physical contact event between the glass ribbon and the support device by detecting an acoustic signal associated with the physical contact event.

Abstract: Methods of conveying a glass ribbon are provided that each includes the step of conveying the glass ribbon over a support device with a cushion of fluid supporting the glass ribbon over the support device. Each method further includes the step of monitoring a physical contact event between the glass ribbon and the support device by detecting an acoustic signal associated with the physical contact event. In further examples, glass ribbon conveying apparatus are provided that each includes a support device configured to support a glass ribbon over the support device with a cushion of fluid. Each apparatus further includes an acoustic sensor configured to monitor a physical contact event between the glass ribbon and the support device by detecting an acoustic signal associated with the physical contact event.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of separating a glass ribbon are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for severing glass ribbon includes a plurality of manufacturing components arranged into a travel path, a glass cutting device, and a severing zone positioned in a downstream direction from the glass cutting device, where the severing zone comprising a targeted separation region along the travel path. The apparatus also includes an acoustic transmitter positioned in a first direction from the targeted separation region, an acoustic receiver positioned in a second direction from the targeted separation region opposite the first direction, and a manufacturing component positioned along the travel path in the downstream direction from the targeted separation region.

Abstract: Touch systems and methods that employ acoustic sensing in a thin glass sheet are disclosed. The touch system includes a generally planar acoustic-sensing assembly that includes the thin glass sheet. Thin-film piezoelectric acoustic transducers are arranged on the top surface or the bottom surface and adjacent the perimeter and serve as either transmitters or receivers. A signal-processing algorithm run on a controller is used to process the receiver signals to determine at least one characteristic of a touch event. Use of a thin glass sheet allows for the acoustic transducers to operate at a frequency f in the range from 0.5 MHz to 5 MHz, thereby providing for excellent pressure sensitivity and spatial resolution of touch events.