SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH SPEED FOD DETECTION
First Claim
1. A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface, comprising:
- a thermal excitation source configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface;
an infrared camera configured to scan the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source; and
a controller coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera, the controller configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface of a composite part being manufactured. A platform is configured to move over the surface. A thermal excitation source is fixed to the platform and configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface. An infrared camera is also fixed to the platform and configured to scan the surface as the platform moves over the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source. A controller is coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera and is configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface.
3 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface, comprising:
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a thermal excitation source configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface; an infrared camera configured to scan the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source; and a controller coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera, the controller configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface, comprising:
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a thermal excitation source configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface; an infrared camera configured to scan the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source; and a controller coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera, the controller configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a first threshold for distinguishing between emitted infrared radiation from a surface of a workpiece and emitted infrared radiation from foreign object debris material on the surface of the workpiece; directing an infrared radiation beam from an infrared excitation source at the surface of the workpiece; scanning the surface of the of the workpiece to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface of the workpiece and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface of the workpiece in response to the infrared radiation beam from the excitation source; and comparing the signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface of the workpiece and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface of the workpiece with the first threshold to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification