Abstract: This invention applies optical tracking technology with an ultrasound inspection system to associate recorded position data with the inspection data. The reference targets of the optical tracking system can be attached to the inspection assembly to allow fully recorded position information to be associated with the ultrasonic, eddy current, or other nondestructive examination data without substantially impacting the overall envelope of the NDE inspection equipment. Moreover, the optical tracking system can be used to monitor skew or twist of the inspection equipment with respect to the normal rectilinear transducer orientation. The inspection equipment position information is then coupled to the inspection data to provide outputs equivalent to fully encoded multi-axis manipulator automated scans, but with less setup burden and equipment expense.

Abstract: This invention applies optical sensing technology with an ultrasound inspection system to associate encoded position data with the inspection data. The compact electronics of the optical system can be attached to the inspection assembly to allow fully encoded position information to be associated with the ultrasonic, eddy current, or other nondestructive examination data without substantially impacting the overall envelope of the NDE inspection equipment. Moreover, because of the small size, the optical system can be used in tandem to monitor skew or twist of the inspection equipment with respect to the normal rectilinear transducer orientation. The inspection equipment position information is then coupled to the inspection data to provide data outputs equivalent to fully encoded multi-axis manipulator automated scans, but with less setup burden and equipment expense.