Ultrasound inspection system for inspecting a test object with non-planar features
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an inspection vehicle configured to move on a surface of a test object;
a sensor structure associated with the inspection vehicle, wherein the sensor structure comprises;
a first housing; and
a second housing;
a first array of optical fibers associated with the first housing of the sensor structure, wherein the first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards the surface of the test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object;
a second array of optical fibers associated with the second housing of the sensor structure, wherein the second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves;
a positioning system configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the test object; and
a controller configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control transmission of the pattern of light by the first array of optical fibers and detection of the response to the sound waves by the second array of optical fibers.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for inspecting a test object. The apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor structure, a first array of optical fibers, and a second array of optical fibers. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of the test object. The sensor structure is associated with the inspection vehicle. The first array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards the surface of the test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object. The second array of optical fibers is associated with the sensor structure. The second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an inspection vehicle configured to move on a surface of a test object; a sensor structure associated with the inspection vehicle, wherein the sensor structure comprises; a first housing; and a second housing; a first array of optical fibers associated with the first housing of the sensor structure, wherein the first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards the surface of the test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object; a second array of optical fibers associated with the second housing of the sensor structure, wherein the second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves; a positioning system configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the test object; and a controller configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control transmission of the pattern of light by the first array of optical fibers and detection of the response to the sound waves by the second array of optical fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for inspecting a test object using an inspection vehicle, the method comprising:
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placing the inspection vehicle on a surface of the test object, the inspection vehicle having a size suitable for moving on the surface of the test object; tethering the inspection vehicle to a support system while the inspection vehicle moves on the surface of the test object; moving, by the inspection vehicle, on the surface of the test object; transmitting a pattern of light from a first array of optical fibers associated with a sensor structure onto a surface of the test object at a location, wherein the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object; detecting a response to the sound waves using a second array of optical fibers associated with the sensor structure; and determining whether an inconsistency is present in the test object at the location from the response to the sound waves detected using the second array of optical fibers while the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the test object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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an inspection vehicle configured to move on a surface of a test object; a sensor structure associated with the inspection vehicle; a first array of optical fibers associated with the sensor structure, wherein the first array of optical fibers is configured to transmit a pattern of light towards the surface of the test object and the pattern of light is configured to cause sound waves in the test object when the pattern of light encounters the test object; a second array of optical fibers associated with the sensor structure, wherein the second array of optical fibers is configured to detect a response to the sound waves; and a support system, including a support arm, configured to tether the inspection vehicle to the support arm while the inspection vehicle moves on the test object.
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Specification