Systems and methods for remote, automated non-destructive inspection
US12360082B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/45098
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated, inspection system that includes a robot with a closed loop control system that includes multiple Nondestructive Testing (NDI) modalities for complete through-thickness inspection of structures (e.g., wind turbine blades, aircraft, pressure vessels, pipelines, ships). The robot can be programmed either by a user or another inspection system to automatically move to a user-specified location, or a series of locations to complete a scan inspection of the area. The inspection region (size) is also automated via a user-specified input, other inspection system, or through other pre-programmed coverage patterns. Closed-loop control software allows the robot to automatically return to the location of any damaged region, identified during the inspection, so that the location can be marked and appropriate maintenance actions can be taken.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.