Ultrasound inspection system of limited access composite structures

US9188566B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Gary E. Georgeson · Tacoma, US
• Richard H. Bossi · Renton, US
• Clarence L. Gordon, III · Renton, US
• Jeffrey R. Kollgaard · Seattle, US
• William P. Motzer · Seattle, US
• Alan F. Stewart · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2033

Classification

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

Abstract

A method for and apparatus for inspecting a location on a test object with a number of obstructions to reaching the location. An elongate optical fiber carrier holding a number of optical fibers is moved to the location on the test object with the number of obstructions to reaching the location. A pattern of light is transmitted from the number of optical fibers onto a surface of the test object at the location. The pattern of the light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of the light encounters the surface of the test object. A response is detected to the sound waves using the number of optical fibers.