In-process vision detection of flaw and FOD characteristics
First Claim
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1. An inspection system comprising:
- an idler wheel coupled to a fabrication system and contacting a backing layer of an applied material;
a rotation sensor configured to monitor the idler wheel and to generate a rotational signal;
an illumination device configured to illuminate a portion of a composite structure to produce an illumination;
a detector configured to detect at least one flaw and FOD (foreign objects and debris) based on the illumination, the detector further configured to generate a flaw and FOD detection signal; and
a controller coupled to said rotation sensor and configured to determine at least one characteristic of the at least one flaw and FOD on the composite structure in response to said rotation signal and the flaw and FOD detection signal.
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Abstract
An inspection system (9) includes an idler wheel (61) that is coupled to a fabrication system (8) and is in contact with a backing layer (65) of an applied material (64), A rotation sensor (63) monitors the idler wheel (61) and generates a rotational signal. A controller (24) is coupled to the rotation sensor (63) and determines a characteristic of one or more flaws and FOD (19) on a composite structure (12) in response to the rotation signal.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An inspection system comprising:
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an idler wheel coupled to a fabrication system and contacting a backing layer of an applied material; a rotation sensor configured to monitor the idler wheel and to generate a rotational signal; an illumination device configured to illuminate a portion of a composite structure to produce an illumination; a detector configured to detect at least one flaw and FOD (foreign objects and debris) based on the illumination, the detector further configured to generate a flaw and FOD detection signal; and a controller coupled to said rotation sensor and configured to determine at least one characteristic of the at least one flaw and FOD on the composite structure in response to said rotation signal and the flaw and FOD detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inspection system for determining characteristics of flaws and FOD (foreign objects and debris) during the fabrication of a composite structure comprising:
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a material collection device coupled to the fabrication system; a take-up sensor coupled to the material collection device, the take-up sensor configured to monitor translation of a backing layer of a composite material, and to generate a take-up signal; an illumination device configured to illuminate a portion of said composite structure to produce an illumination; a detector configured to detect said at least one flaw and FOD and to generate a flaw and FOD detection signal based on the illumination; and a controller coupled to said take-up sensor and configured to determine at least one characteristic of at least one flaw or FOD on the composite structure in response to said take-up signal and said flaw and FOD detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification