Inspection devices with laser emitters and optical microphones, and related systems and methods

US11378551B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION · US
• XARION Laser Acoustics GmbH · AT

Inventors

• Clint D. Thomson · Smithfield, US
• Igor Ivakhnenko · Silver Spring, US
• Lukas Fischer · Zürich, CH
• Wolfgang Rohringer · Wien, AT
• Fabian Luecking · Wien, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 2020
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 10, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2291/2694
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems for detecting one or more discontinuities of a structure may include a laser emitter configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal into a structure and a receiver comprising an optical microphone. The optical microphone may comprise an array of optical microphones configured in a complementary manner to the emitter.