Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Ultrasonic inspection apparatus, system, and method
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Application No.: US11178584Application Date: 2005-07-11
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Publication No.: US07640810B2Publication Date: 2010-01-05
- Inventor: James C. Kennedy , Mark L. Little , Clyde T. Uyehara
- Applicant: James C. Kennedy , Mark L. Little , Clyde T. Uyehara
- Applicant Address: US IL Chicago
- Assignee: The Boeing Company
- Current Assignee: The Boeing Company
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Chicago
- Agency: Alston & Bird LLP
- Main IPC: G01N29/265
- IPC: G01N29/265

Abstract:
Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a pedestal robot mounted on a rail system, a probe extension coupler, and an inspection probe capable of performing pulse echo ultrasonic inspection. A probe may also include sled appendages and an axial braking system to inspect over holes and off edges. A probe may also include an ultrasonic pulse echo transducer array for high rate inspection; the transducer array may be mounted in a bubbler shoe for individually coupling each of the transducers in the array. A rail system may also include an optical encoder for providing location information for the robot and axial braking system. A probe extension coupler presses the inspection probe against the structure for adjusting to changes in surface contours.
Public/Granted literature
- US20070006658A1 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus, system, and method Public/Granted day:2007-01-11
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