Methods for inspecting structures having non-planar surfaces using location alignment feedback
US10634632B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2018 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/87
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of target objects having non-planar surfaces (such as aircraft components having internal stiffeners). A robotic NDI platform is equipped with an NDI sensor and a laser-based alignment system. The laser-based alignment system is operated in a manner to acquire surface profile information in an area of interest on a non-planar surface of the target object. Then the acquired surface profile data is processed by a computer to generate a motion plan for automatically guiding the robotic NDI platform and the NDI sensor to the correct locations, where images of the area of interest may be captured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.