INSPECTION OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN COMPOSITE MATERIALS

• US 20080061774A1
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Georgeson, Gary, Westerman, Everett, Hafenrichter, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/936,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061774A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/240
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/9046 by analysing electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/442 Resins, plastics
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/2623 Measuring-systems or electronic circuits G01R27/2635, G01R27/2682 take precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for inspecting electrical conductivity in composite materials having conductive structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting a conductive structure in a composite bonding region comprises positioning an apparatus operable to induce a current on the conductive structure. The apparatus is positioned on the conductive structure at a first selected position proximate to the bonding region. The method also comprises energizing the apparatus to provide a desired induced current in the conductive structure. The method further comprises detecting an impedance property value of the apparatus. Accordingly, the method additionally comprises positioning the apparatus at a second selected position if the impedance value is within a predetermined range of values. Alternatively, if the impedance value is not within the predetermined range, the method additionally comprises documenting the first selected position.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting a conductive structure in a composite bonding region, comprising:

positioning an apparatus operable to induce a current into the conductive structure at a first selected position proximate to the bonding region;

energizing the apparatus to provide a desired induced current in the conductive structure;

detecting an impedance property value of the apparatus, and based upon the detected value;

if the impedance value is within a predetermined range of values, positioning the apparatus at a second selected position; and

if the impedance value is not within the predetermined range, documenting the first selected position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning an apparatus operable to induce a current into the conductive structure further comprises:

positioning the apparatus on a reference material;

detecting a reference impedance value from the reference material, and based upon the detected value, selecting a desirable scale for impedance values detected while the apparatus is proximate to the bonding region.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein energizing the apparatus further comprises providing an alternating current to the apparatus at a frequency that ranges between approximately about 50 Hertz (Hz) and approximately about 10 megahertz (MHz).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a processor, and further wherein detecting an impedance property value comprises processing the value to generate at least one of a resistance, a reactance, a phasor magnitude and a phase angle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting an impedance property value of the apparatus further comprises detecting the impedance property value using at least one of a coil positioned on the bonding region, and an auxiliary coil that is spaced apart from the coil positioned on the bonding region.