Abstract: A system may be provided for optically testing the integrity of a sealed article such as a lithium-ion battery. The system may include a chamber, a pressurizing apparatus that provides a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the chamber, and an optical imaging apparatus that detects a change in shape of the article in response to provision of the pressure differential. The optical imaging apparatus may be a shearography device, which may be connected to a computing apparatus that receives images before and after provision of the pressure differential and generates a comparison image indicating the change in shape. The comparison image may be manually or automatically analyzed to determine whether the change in shape is significant, indicating the existence of a proper seal.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of damage in a structure includes applying energy to the structure to induce tension shockwaves in the structure. The method also includes detecting sound waves caused by the tension shockwaves using at least one acoustic emission sensor on the surface of the structure. Additionally, the method includes determining the presence of damage in the structure due to the applied energy based on detected sound waves.

Abstract: A method of forming a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate is disclosed. The method includes treating a surface of each of a plurality of molybdenum foil layers. The method further includes interweaving the surface treated molybdenum foil layers with a plurality of composite material layers. The method further includes bonding with an adhesive layer each of the surface treated molybdenum foil layers to adjacent composite material layers to form a molybdenum composite hybrid laminate having improved yield strength.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for generating ultrasound results having a simulated level of porosity for a composite. Data for a set of composite coupons having different levels of porosity is obtained. An attenuation distribution function is fit to a back wall signal generated from the data for each coupon and a library of echo patterns based on such data is created. An interpolated attenuation distribution function is calculated based on an interpolation of two stored attenuation distribution functions having the closest porosity values to the selected level. A main attenuation distribution function value is assigned to one portion of a selected region in a zero porosity coupon and attenuation distribution functions values within a predetermined percentage of the main attenuation distribution function are assigned to other portions of the region. Waveforms associated with the portions are modified based on such values and selected echo patterns from the library.

Abstract: A composite structure is processed using heat and pressure. A chromatic film is placed in proximity to the composite structure and is used to monitor at least one of the temperature of the heat and the pressure during processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a composite structure. A pulsed laser beam having a number of properties is generated. Each of the number of properties is within a selected range. The pulsed laser beam generated by the generation laser system is directed towards a composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. A number of ultrasonic waves are formed in the composite structure when the pulsed laser beam contacts the composite structure without causing any undesired inconsistencies in the composite structure outside of selected tolerances.

Abstract: A composite bonded structure with integral stress sensing and bond evaluation system incorporates a bonded structure having a first component, a second component and a layer of adhesive bonding the first and second components. The layer of adhesive includes multiple embedded fluorescing particles which emit a first spectral intensity in an unstressed condition and a second spectral intensity in a stressed condition. A bond evaluation apparatus is then employed for measuring spectral intensity.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and verifying a manufacturing process performed by an operator on a workpiece in a work area. The method includes positioning one or more cameras in the work area, such that the operator and the workpiece are in a field of view of each of the cameras. The method includes using a computer system configured for controlling the cameras to record and process images of the workpiece and images of operator actions relating to the manufacturing process, all recorded by the cameras during or at completion of each of a plurality of tasks in the manufacturing process to obtain recorded images. The method includes storing the recorded images, comparing the recorded images against a reference image library comprising references images corresponding to each recorded image to detect any differences between the recorded image and the respective corresponding reference image, and generating a data record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating an object having a wrinkle. Energy is sent into the object at a plurality of locations using an array of transmitting elements. Reflected energy is received at an array of receiving elements in response to a portion of the energy being reflected off a plurality of layers in the object. A three-dimensional model of the wrinkle in the object is created based on the reflected energy received at the array of receiving elements.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for generating ultrasound results having a simulated level of porosity for a composite. Data for a set of composite coupons having different levels of porosity is obtained. An attenuation distribution function is fit to a back wall signal generated from the data for each coupon and a library of echo patterns based on such data is created. An interpolated attenuation distribution function is calculated based on an interpolation of two stored attenuation distribution functions having the closest porosity values to the selected level. A main attenuation distribution function value is assigned to one portion of a selected region in a zero porosity coupon and attenuation distribution functions values within a predetermined percentage of the main attenuation distribution function are assigned to other portions of the region. Waveforms associated with the portions are modified based on such values and selected echo patterns from the library.

Abstract: A method for creation of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) standard employs a coupon of bonded layers or a composite structure having a predetermined thickness. A predetermined pulse width is defined. The coupon and a laser source are positioned with respect to one another and the laser source is used to create a laser pulse having the predetermined pulse width to create a disbond or delamination in the bond layer at a predetermined location. The coupon may then be used as a standard for calibration of NDI inspection tools by scanning the coupon with the tool to provide an inspection output. The output is then examined to confirm that the disbond or delamination in the coupon is properly identified in the output.

Abstract: A composite structure is processed using heat and pressure. A chromatic film is placed in proximity to the composite structure and is used to monitor at least one of the temperature of the heat and the pressure during processing.

Abstract: A composite structure is processed using heat and pressure. A chromatic film is placed in proximity to the composite structure and is used to monitor at least one of the temperature of the heat and the pressure during processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a laser system located outside of an area that includes a region of a structure to be inspected, a mobile platform located within the area to be inspected, and a projection system associated with the mobile platform. The laser system is configured to generate a laser beam. The projection system receives the laser beam and projects the laser beam onto a surface of the region of the structure. The laser beam causes a number of ultrasonic waves to form within the structure.

Abstract: A transducer for stimulating an article under test with ultrasonic vibration may include a transducer body having a transmitting face and configured to generate ultrasonic vibration through the transmitting face, and an couplant mounted on the transmitting face, the couplant having a multiplicity of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes extending therefrom in a direction substantially normal to the transmitting face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a test object with a non-planar feature. A pattern of light is transmitted from a first array of optical fibers associated with a sensor structure onto a surface of the test object at a location of the non-planar feature. The pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object. A response to the sound waves is detected using a second array of optical fibers associated with the sensor structure. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present in the test object at the location of the non-planar feature from the response to the sound waves detected using the second array of optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for creation of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) standard employs a coupon of bonded layers or a composite structure having a predetermined thickness. A predetermined pulse width is defined. The coupon and a laser source are positioned with respect to one another and the laser source is used to create a laser pulse having the predetermined pulse width to create a disbond or delamination in the bond layer at a predetermined location. The coupon may then be used as a standard for calibration of NDI inspection tools by scanning the coupon with the tool to provide an inspection output. The output is then examined to confirm that the disbond or delamination in the coupon is properly identified in the output.

Abstract: A hybrid inspection system and method are provided which utilize both an air-coupled transducer and a liquid-coupled transducer in order to enjoy the advantages offered by both types of transducers. The hybrid inspection system may include a first probe that includes the air-coupled transducer, such as a capacitive machined ultrasonic transducer, which is configured to emit ultrasonic signals and to air couple the ultrasonic signals into a workpiece. The hybrid inspection system may also include a second probe that includes the liquid-coupled transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer, configured to receive the ultrasonic signals emitted by the air-coupled transducer of the first probe via a liquid coupling between the transducer and the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a wave generator, plurality of transducers and processing device. The wave generator may be configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of acoustic waves that propagate through a laminate along a plurality of in-plane directions. The transducers may be spaced apart from one another and positionable at one or more known distances from the wave generator along respective in-plane directions. The transducers may be configured to detect acoustic waves propagating through the laminate along the respective in-plane directions. The processing device may be coupled to the transducers and configured to simultaneously calculate a plurality of elastic constants of the laminate as a function of velocities of the acoustic waves detected by the transducers. And the processing device may be configured to calculate the velocities as a function of the known distance(s) and arrival times of the acoustic waves at the transducers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a test object. The apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor structure, a first array of optical fibers, and a second array of optical fibers. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of the test object. The sensor structure is associated with the inspection vehicle. The first array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards the surface of the test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object. The second array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves.