Pattern method and system for detecting foreign object debris using a fluorescent drilling lubricant

US7009198B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Greg L. Benfer · Holden, US
• Daniel E. Wagoner · Florissant, US
• Michael L. Taylor · Collinsville, US
• John D. Fitts · Holden, US
• John C. Clayton · Sainte Genevieve, US
• Lynn E. Johnson · Warrenton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 2003
• Grant date: Mar 7, 2006
• Expiry date: Jun 16, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/643
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of detecting a non-fixed object created during hole drilling operations on a system (12) includes applying a light emitting lubricant (25) to a drill bit (37) of a hole-drilling device (31). The light emitting lubricant adheres to foreign object debris 10 that is created during the hole drilling operations. The foreign object debris 10 can include shavings (29), portions of the drill bit (37), or the entire drill bit (37). The objects are illuminated with an object illuminator (16). At least one of the objects (10) is determined to be a nonmember within a known pattern of objects and is identified to be a non-fixed object in response to illumination of the objects.