Abstract: Methods that provide wrinkle characterization and performance prediction for wrinkled composite structures using automated structural analysis. In accordance with some embodiments, the method combines the use of B-scan ultrasound data, automated optical measurement of wrinkles and geometry of cross-sections, and finite element analysis of wrinkled composite structure to provide the ability to assess the actual significance of a detected wrinkle relative to the intended performance of the structure. The disclosed method uses an ultrasonic inspection system that has been calibrated by correlating ultrasonic B-scan data acquired from reference standards with measurements of optical cross sections (e.g., micrographs) of those reference standards.

Abstract: A method of detecting a compound in a material sample is presented. A transformation is generated from a set of IR spectra of a set of identified compounds, in which the compound is one of the set of identified compounds. The transformation is applied to an IR spectrum of the material sample to form a transformed IR spectrum. A decomposition is applied to the transformation. Results indicative of a presence or an absence of the compound are generated based on an output of the decomposition.

Abstract: A system comprises a model generation system and an analyzer. The model generation system is configured to modify a model of a laminated composite structure to meet a user defined objective and to meet at least one of user defined performance constraints or user defined manufacturing constraints by changing at least one ply characteristic of at least one ply of the model while maintaining ply boundary geometry constraints for each ply of the model. The ply boundary geometry constraints of the model generation system include a number of defined ply boundary geometries each described by a respective mathematical function. The analyzer is configured to return objective values or constraint function values for at least one ply of the model.

Abstract: A method of detecting a compound in a material sample is presented. A transformation is generated from a set of IR spectra of a set of identified compounds, in which the compound is one of the set of identified compounds. The transformation is applied to an IR spectrum of the material sample to form a transformed IR spectrum. A decomposition is applied to the transformation. Results indicative of a presence or an absence of the compound are generated based on an output of the decomposition.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance is disclosed. The system includes one or more x-ray backscatter detectors, an x-ray tube, a support, and a plurality of rods mounted on the support and arranged in groups. Each group of rods includes at least two rods having the same width. The system also includes a user interface configured to connect to the x-ray backscatter detectors to receive a backscatter signal from the x-ray backscatter detectors associated with the x-ray tube, where the user interface plots a modulation transfer function representing x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: In an example, a method for forming a composite part includes, based on a part specification, cutting layers of material in a sequence and positioning the layers to form a stack. For each layer, after positioning the layer and before cutting a next layer in the sequence, the method includes (i) scanning along a length of the layer to determine an image, (ii) determining, based on the image, at least two edges of the layer, (iii) determining, based on the edges, a measured width at locations along the length of the layer, (iv) comparing the measured width at each location to a target width at the location, (v) deciding, based on the comparison, whether to adjust the production process, and (vi) if the decision is to adjust the production process, then adjusting the production process based on the comparison. The part specification specifies the target width at each location.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an acoustic sensing system and an analyzer module. The acoustic sensing system is positioned relative to an object, wherein the acoustic sensing system detects acoustic emissions and generates acoustic waveform data for the acoustic emissions detected. The analyzer module is implemented in a computer system that receives load data and the acoustic waveform data for the object, generates a plurality of frequency distribution functions using the acoustic waveform data, and generates a frequency distribution function time evolution image containing a plurality of points of each of the plurality of frequency distribution functions.

Abstract: A method of detecting a compound in a material sample is presented. A transformation is generated from a set of IR spectra of a set of identified compounds, in which the compound is one of the set of identified compounds. The transformation is applied to an IR spectrum of the material sample to form a transformed IR spectrum. A decomposition is applied to the transformation. Results indicative of a presence or an absence of the compound are generated based on an output of the decomposition.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance is disclosed. The system includes one or more x-ray backscatter detectors, an x-ray tube, a support, and a plurality of rods mounted on the support and arranged in groups. Each group of rods includes at least two rods having the same width. The system also includes a user interface configured to connect to the x-ray backscatter detectors to receive a backscatter signal from the x-ray backscatter detectors associated with the x-ray tube, where the user interface plots a modulation transfer function representing x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

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: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for compressing and extracting features. The method involves transmitting at least one ultrasound signal into an object at a plurality of different locations on the object. Each of the locations is denoted by an x location and a y location. The method further involves receiving at least one waveform response signal. Also, the method involves generating a three-dimensional (3D) data cube with an X dimension, a Y dimension, and a time dimension. At least one waveform response signal is stored within the 3D data cube at the x location and the y location that is associated with the waveform response signal(s). Further, the method involves transforming at least one waveform response signal of the 3D data cube to produce at least one transformed signal.

Abstract: Composite skin-stringer structures which reduce or eliminate the risk of delamination at the skin-stringer interface. This can be accomplished by arranging ply directions (i.e., the angles of the fiber paths of the ply) in a layup in a way such that for the dominant loading, the skin and stringer will each deform in a way that reduces relative opening (fracture Mode I) and/or sliding (fracture Mode II) and/or scissoring (fracture Mode III) at the skin-stringer interface. This is possible when coupling between specific deformations modes is purposefully activated instead of being suppressed. The ply directions in the stringer are adjusted so that the stringer deforms in a controlled fashion to suppress or “close” cracks that are about to form—before the undesirable modes of failure form—as load is applied.

Abstract: A method of generating an optimized design model for a composite laminate may include computing a normalized set of lamination parameters and laminate stiffness matrices of an initial laminate design, and determining, using an optimizer operating on a finite element model, optimum values for the lamination parameters and the laminate thickness. The method may further include adjusting the optimum value of the laminate thickness, and performing an inversion process extracting multiple solutions from the lamination parameters, each solution including a unique set of individual fiber angles for each ply and representing an optimized design model of the composite laminate.

Abstract: A system comprises a model generation system and an analyzer. The model generation system is configured to modify a model of a laminated composite structure to meet a user defined objective and to meet at least one of user defined performance constraints or user defined manufacturing constraints by changing at least one ply characteristic of at least one ply of the model while maintaining ply boundary geometry constraints for each ply of the model. The ply boundary geometry constraints of the model generation system include a number of defined ply boundary geometries each described by a respective mathematical function. The analyzer is configured to return objective values or constraint function values for at least one ply of the model.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an acoustic sensing system and an analyzer module. The acoustic sensing system is positioned relative to an object, wherein the acoustic sensing system detects acoustic emissions and generates acoustic waveform data for the acoustic emissions detected. The analyzer module is implemented in a computer system that receives load data and the acoustic waveform data for the object, generates a plurality of frequency distribution functions using the acoustic waveform data, and generates a frequency distribution function time evolution image containing a plurality of points of each of the plurality of frequency distribution functions.

Abstract: In an example, a method for forming a composite part includes, based on a part specification, cutting layers of material in a sequence and positioning the layers to form a stack. For each layer, after positioning the layer and before cutting a next layer in the sequence, the method includes (i) scanning along a length of the layer to determine an image, (ii) determining, based on the image, at least two edges of the layer, (iii) determining, based on the edges, a measured width at locations along the length of the layer, (iv) comparing the measured width at each location to a target width at the location, (v) deciding, based on the comparison, whether to adjust the production process, and (vi) if the decision is to adjust the production process, then adjusting the production process based on the comparison. The part specification specifies the target width at each location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing an object using acoustic emissions. Load data is received for the object. Acoustic waveform data is received for the object from an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic waveform data represents acoustic emissions emanating from the object and is detected using the acoustic sensing system. A plurality of bins is created for the load data. A plurality of frequency distribution functions is generated for the plurality of bins using the acoustic waveform data. A set of learning algorithms is applied to the plurality of frequency distribution functions and the acoustic waveform data to generate an output that allows an operator to more easily and quickly assess a structural integrity of the object.

Abstract: Methods that provide wrinkle characterization and performance prediction for wrinkled composite structures using automated structural analysis. In accordance with some embodiments, the method combines the use of B-scan ultrasound data, automated optical measurement of wrinkles and geometry of cross-sections, and finite element analysis of wrinkled composite structure to provide the ability to assess the actual significance of a detected wrinkle relative to the intended performance of the structure. The disclosed method uses an ultrasonic inspection system that has been calibrated by correlating ultrasonic B-scan data acquired from reference standards with measurements of optical cross sections (e.g., micrographs) of those reference standards.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for validating a manufacturing tolerance of a structure. A method includes receiving a digital image of a cross-section of the structure at an interface of a computing device, identifying an outer boundary of the structure from the digital image, selecting a region of the outer boundary based on changes in a first derivative or a second derivative of points of the outer boundary, identifying a geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary by comparison to stored templates of geometry features of the structure, making a comparison of the geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary to a manufacturing specification for a corresponding portion of the structure, and determining whether the structure is within a manufacturing tolerance based on the comparison of the geometry feature to the manufacturing specification.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for validating a manufacturing tolerance of a structure. A method includes receiving a digital image of a cross-section of the structure at an interface of a computing device, identifying an outer boundary of the structure from the digital image, selecting a region of the outer boundary based on changes in a first derivative or a second derivative of points of the outer boundary, identifying a geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary by comparison to stored templates of geometry features of the structure, making a comparison of the geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary to a manufacturing specification for a corresponding portion of the structure, and determining whether the structure is within a manufacturing tolerance based on the comparison of the geometry feature to the manufacturing specification.