Ultrasonic modeling for inspection of composite irregularities
First Claim
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1. A method for use in inspecting a composite structure, said method comprising:
- generating a virtual model of the composite structure;
defining at least one irregularity parameter;
conducting a first simulated inspection of the virtual model with a modeling module configured to transmit at least one simulated wave towards the virtual model to provide a first non-transitory waveform data set associated with the at least one irregularity parameter, wherein the first simulated inspection is conducted using a first evaluation setting that facilitates forming the at least one simulated wave;
producing a first image based on the first non-transitory waveform data set;
determining whether a quality of the first image satisfies a predetermined image quality threshold that would enable inspection of the composite structure for irregularities including wrinkles; and
using the first evaluation setting to conduct a physical inspection of the composite structure with a stimulating mechanism if the first image satisfies the predetermined image quality threshold, wherein the stimulating mechanism uses the first evaluation-setting to transmit at least one physical wave towards the composite structure to detect irregularities in the composite structure.
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Abstract
A first simulated inspection is conducted to provide a first waveform data set associated with the at least one irregularity parameter. The first simulated inspection is conducted using a first evaluation setting. A first image is produced based on the first waveform set, and it is determined whether a quality of the first image satisfies a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use in inspecting a composite structure, said method comprising:
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generating a virtual model of the composite structure; defining at least one irregularity parameter; conducting a first simulated inspection of the virtual model with a modeling module configured to transmit at least one simulated wave towards the virtual model to provide a first non-transitory waveform data set associated with the at least one irregularity parameter, wherein the first simulated inspection is conducted using a first evaluation setting that facilitates forming the at least one simulated wave; producing a first image based on the first non-transitory waveform data set; determining whether a quality of the first image satisfies a predetermined image quality threshold that would enable inspection of the composite structure for irregularities including wrinkles; and using the first evaluation setting to conduct a physical inspection of the composite structure with a stimulating mechanism if the first image satisfies the predetermined image quality threshold, wherein the stimulating mechanism uses the first evaluation-setting to transmit at least one physical wave towards the composite structure to detect irregularities in the composite structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable storage device having encoded thereon computer readable instructions that are executable by a processor to perform functions comprising:
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conducting a first simulated inspection of a virtual model of a composite structure using a modeling module configured to transmit at least one simulated wave towards the virtual model to provide a first non-transitory waveform data set associated with at least one irregularity parameter, wherein the first simulated inspection is conducted using a first evaluation setting that facilitates forming the at least one simulated wave; producing a first image based on the first non-transitory waveform set; determining whether a quality of the first image satisfies a predetermined image quality threshold that would enable inspection of the composite structure for irregularities including wrinkles; and identifying the first evaluation setting as an evaluation setting for use in conducting a physical inspection of the composite structure with a stimulating mechanism if the first image satisfies the predetermined image quality threshold; and directing the stimulating mechanism, using the first evaluation setting, to transmit at least one physical wave towards the composite structure to detect irregularities in the composite structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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an ultrasonic modeling module configured to transmit at least one simulated wave towards a virtual model of a composite structure to conduct a first simulated inspection of the virtual model such that a first non-transitory waveform data set associated with at least one irregularity parameter is provided, wherein the first simulated inspection is conducted using a first evaluation setting that facilitates forming the at least one simulated wave; and a virtual imaging module configured to produce a first image based on the first non-transitory waveform data set, configured to determine whether a quality of the first image satisfies a predetermined image quality threshold that would enable a physical inspection of the composite structure for irregularities including wrinkles to be conducted, and configured to identify the first evaluation setting as a desired evaluation setting for conducting the physical inspection of a composite structure to detect irregularities in the composite structure if the first image satisfies the predetermined image quality threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification