Infrared thermographic methods for wrinkle characterization in composite structures
US9519844B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30248
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods for identifying and quantifying wrinkles in a composite structure by processing infrared imaging data. Temperature versus time profiles for all pixels in the field of view of an infrared camera are calculated, enabling thermal signatures to be produced. By comparing the thermal signature of the part under test with the thermal signature of a reference standard representing a similar part having wrinkles of known size and shape, the presence of wrinkles can be detected. The wrinkle wavelength can be determined by measuring the infrared image and applying a transfer function. If the geometric information acquired using infrared thermography does not reach a certain quality factor (for a quality prediction) or is incomplete, an ultrasonic transducer array probe running wrinkle quantification software can be rotated into position and scanned over the wrinkle area. The ultrasonic imaging data can be combined with the infrared imaging data to enable an improved quantification of the wrinkle geometry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.