Non-destructive inspection system with flexible display and associated method

• US 7,478,569 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Georgeson, Gary E., Bossi, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAYYAZ, NASHMIYA SAQIB
• Application Number:
  US11/292,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 738/658, 736/26, 736/25, 736/28, 736/43
• US Class Current: 73/865.8
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0231 Composite or layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2694 Wings or other aircraft parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/902 by moving the sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/043 in the interior, e.g. by shear waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/0645 Display representation or displayed parameters, e.g. A-, B- or C-Scan
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2475 Embedded probes, i.e. probes incorporated in objects to be inspected

Abstract

A system and method for inspecting a structure are provided. The system includes a data system that is capable of providing information indicative of at least a portion of the structure. The system also includes a flexible display that is positioned proximate to the structure and in communication with the data system. The flexible display is capable of displaying an image indicative of at least a portion of the structure based on the information provided by the data system.

Claims

1. A system for inspecting a structure comprising:

a sensor assembly comprising a flexible sheet of material and at least one sensor attached thereto;

a data system in communication with the sensor assembly and configured to provide information indicative of a defect in the structure, wherein the information comprises information indicative of at least one of a crack, corrosion, a discontinuity, a void, porosity, a disbond, or delamination;

a flexible display positioned proximate to the structure and in communication with the data system such that the flexible display is configured to display an image indicative of the defect in the structure based on the information provided by the data system, wherein the flexible display is configured to display the image while being positioned adjacent to the sensor assembly; and

a suction mount configured to be coupled to the structure, wherein the flexible display is configured to scroll in and out of the suction mount.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the structure is non-planar and the sensor assembly is configured to conform to the non-planar surface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises an array of sensors attached to the flexible sheet of material.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the flexible sheet of material comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride material.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the sensor assembly is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least one of the structure and flexible display.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the flexible display is also configured to conform to the non-planar surface.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the data system is configured to generate information indicative of a defect in the structure based on information acquired by the at least one sensor.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible display is configured to display an ultrasonic A-scan, B-scan, or C-scan, an ultrasonic resonance image, an eddy current image, or an impedance plane signal of the portion of the structure.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an eddy current sensor.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the suction mount comprises an encoder system configured to provide a location of the at least one sensor and/or the flexible display.

12. A method for inspecting a structure comprising:

positioning a sensor assembly comprising a flexible sheet of material and at least one sensor attached thereto proximate to the structure;

coupling a flexible display to the structure with a suction mount;

scrolling the flexible display in or out of the suction mount;

positioning the flexible display adjacent to the sensor assembly;

providing information indicative of a defect in the structure based upon information from the at least one sensor, wherein the structure is a manufactured metallic or composite material and the information comprises information indicative of at least one of a crack, corrosion, a discontinuity, a void, porosity, a disbond, or delamination; and

displaying an image indicative of the defect in the structure with the flexible display based on the provided information such that the image is capable of being viewed while the flexible display is positioned adjacent to the sensor assembly.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein positioning the sensor assembly comprises positioning the sensor assembly on a non-planar surface of the structure such that sensor assembly conforms to the non-planar surface.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein positioning the sensor assembly comprises positioning at least a portion of the sensor assembly adjacent to the structure.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising acquiring data indicative of at least a portion of the structure from the at least one sensor.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein acquiring comprises acquiring data indicative of at least a portion of the structure through the flexible display.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing comprises generating information indicative of a defect within the structure based on the data acquired by the at least one sensor.

18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising updating the displayed image while the at least one sensor acquires data indicative of the structure.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein displaying comprises displaying an ultrasonic A-scan, B-scan, or C-scan image, an ultrasonic resonance image, an eddy current image, or an impedance plane signal of the portion of the structure.