公开(公告)号：US10239641B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US15809376

申请日：2017-11-10

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Gary E. Georgeson ,  Barry A. Fetzer ,  James J. Troy ,  Scott W. Lea

IPC: B64F5/00 ,  G01N29/26 ,  G01N29/265 ,  B64F5/60 ,  G01N29/06 ,  G01N29/44

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed non-destructive inspection of a half- or full-barrel-shaped workpiece, such as a barrel-shaped section of an aircraft fuselage. Such workpieces can be scanned externally using a mobile (e.g., translating) arch gantry system comprising a translatable arch frame disposed outside the fuselage section, a carriage that can travel along a curved track carried by the arch frame, a radially inward-extending telescopic arm having a proximal end fixedly coupled to the carriage, and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The stiffeners of the fuselage sections can be scanned using a mobile scanner platform disposed inside the fuselage section, which platform comprises a radially outward-extending telescopic arm rotatably coupled to a mobile (e.g., holonomic or linear motion) platform and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The scan data is matched with position data acquired using any one of a plurality of tracking systems to enable the display of NDI features/flaws on a three-dimensional representation of the workpiece.

公开(公告)号：US10168287B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-01

申请号：US14738359

申请日：2015-06-12

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Gary E. Georgeson ,  Steven K. Brady ,  Donald D. Palmer, Jr.

IPC: G01N22/02 ,  G01S13/88 ,  G01S13/86

Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.

公开(公告)号：US20180304549A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-25

申请号：US15495925

申请日：2017-04-24

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Morteza Safai ,  Gary E. Georgeson

IPC: B29C67/00

CPC classification number: B29C67/0088 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B82Y35/00 ,  B82Y40/00 ,  Y10S977/774 ,  Y10S977/892 ,  Y10S977/955 ,  Y10S977/956

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to utilize nanostructures for process monitoring and feedback control. In one example, a method includes forming a layer of material including nanostructures distributed therein. Each nanostructure includes a quantum dot and a shell encompassing the quantum dot. The shells and quantum dots are configured to emit a first and second wavelength, respectively, in response to an excitation signal. The method further includes applying the excitation signal to at least a portion of the layer of material. The method further includes detecting an emitted signal from the portion of the layer of material, where the emitted signal is provided by at least a subset of the nanostructures in response to the excitation signal. The method further includes determining whether a manufacturing characteristic has been satisfied based at least on a wavelength of the emitted signal. Related systems and products are also provided.

公开(公告)号：US10101287B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US14555364

申请日：2014-11-26

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Jason A. Degaetano ,  Gary E. Georgeson ,  John R. Spalding

IPC: G01K11/00 ,  G01J5/00 ,  G01K1/00 ,  G01N25/00 ,  G01N25/72 ,  B29C73/34 ,  G01K11/12

Abstract: A method for heat blanket certification employs a thermochromatic coating containing one or more chromatic probes which is prepared and applied to a measurement surface. A test layup is created with the heat blanket and a vacuum bagging film. The vacuum bagging film is sealed and a vacuum is drawn through a vacuum probe in the vacuum bagging film. The heat blanket is brought to operating temperature and the thermochromatic coating is illuminated with ultraviolet light. The chromatic probe coloration is then observed for determination of temperature consistency in the heat blanket.

公开(公告)号：US20180202974A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-19

申请号：US15922509

申请日：2018-03-15

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Nathan R. Smith ,  Gary E. Georgeson ,  Paul S. Rutherford ,  Jeffrey R. Kollgaard

IPC: G01N27/90 ,  G01N21/954 ,  B25J9/16 ,  B25J18/02 ,  B25J9/00 ,  G01N29/265 ,  G01N29/22 ,  B25J13/02

CPC classification number: G01N27/902 ,  B25J9/0027 ,  B25J9/0096 ,  B25J9/1697 ,  B25J13/02 ,  B25J18/025 ,  G01N21/954 ,  G01N29/225 ,  G01N29/265 ,  G01N2291/0289 ,  G01N2291/2694

Abstract: An extended reach inspection apparatus may include a scanner device and a robotic manipulator arm. The robotic manipulator arm may include a plurality of arm segments including a distal end arm segment and a proximal end arm segment. A movable joint may couple the distal end arm segment to the robotic manipulator arm. A telescoping extension mechanism may be coupled to the distal end arm segment. The scanner device is mounted to the telescoping extension mechanism for moving the scanner device between a retracted position proximate the robotic manipulator arm and an extended position at a distance from the robotic manipulator arm. A control handle may be coupled to the proximal end arm segment of the plurality of arm segments for manipulating the robotic manipulator arm.

公开(公告)号：US09993971B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-12

申请号：US14689998

申请日：2015-04-17

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Scott W. Lea ,  Gary E. Georgeson ,  Michael D. Fogarty ,  Michael W. Evens ,  Jeffrey M. Hansen

IPC: B29C70/38 ,  B29C65/00 ,  G01B11/14 ,  G01B11/24 ,  B29C70/54 ,  B29L31/30 ,  B64F5/10

CPC classification number: B29C66/95 ,  B29C70/38 ,  B29C70/54 ,  B29L2031/3076 ,  B64F5/10 ,  G01B11/14 ,  G01B11/24

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a stack of adhesive plies for attaching a doubler to a surface on a structure includes a digital scanner, configured for scanning the surface and for producing a first set of digital data representing a contour of the surface, and a computer, coupled to the digital scanner, having a processor and system memory. The computer is programmed for mapping a gap between a bonding surface on the doubler and the surface on the structure using the first set of digital data and a second set of digital data representing the bonding surface, and for segmenting the mapped gap into layers corresponding to the adhesive plies.

公开(公告)号：US09945735B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-17

申请号：US14856550

申请日：2015-09-16

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Gary E. Georgeson ,  Wesley L. Holman, Jr. ,  Brandon P. Jamison ,  Randy J. Grove

IPC: G01K11/12 ,  B29C35/02 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/71 ,  B29C73/34

CPC classification number: G01K11/12 ,  B29C35/0288 ,  B29C73/34 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/71 ,  G01N2201/061

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.

公开(公告)号：US09939411B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-10

申请号：US14803758

申请日：2015-07-20

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Nathan R. Smith ,  Gary E. Georgeson ,  Paul S. Rutherford ,  Jeffrey R. Kollgaard

IPC: G01D21/00 ,  G01N27/90 ,  B25J9/16 ,  B25J18/02 ,  G01N21/954 ,  G01N29/22 ,  G01N29/265 ,  B25J9/00 ,  B25J13/02

CPC classification number: G01N27/902 ,  B25J9/0027 ,  B25J9/0096 ,  B25J9/1697 ,  B25J13/02 ,  B25J18/025 ,  G01N21/954 ,  G01N29/225 ,  G01N29/265 ,  G01N2291/0289 ,  G01N2291/2694

Abstract: An extended reach inspection apparatus may include a scanner device and a robotic manipulator arm. The robotic manipulator arm may include a plurality of arm segments including a distal end arm segment and a proximal end arm segment. A movable joint may couple the distal end arm segment to the robotic manipulator arm. A telescoping extension mechanism may be coupled to the distal end arm segment. The scanner device is mounted to the telescoping extension mechanism for moving the scanner device between a retracted position proximate the robotic manipulator arm and an extended position at a distance from the robotic manipulator arm. A control handle may be coupled to the proximal end arm segment of the plurality of arm segments for manipulating the robotic manipulator arm.

公开(公告)号：US09924103B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-20

申请号：US14682870

申请日：2015-04-09

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Barry A. Fetzer ,  James J. Troy ,  Gary E. Georgeson

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G01B11/14 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/174 ,  G06K9/32

CPC classification number: H04N5/23296 ,  G01B11/14 ,  G06K9/00664 ,  G06K2009/3225 ,  G06T7/174 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T2207/10152 ,  G06T2207/20224 ,  G06T2207/30204

Abstract: An improved mechanism for calibrating a local positioning system through the use of passive or retro-reflective markers is described herein. A plurality of imaging targets with the passive or retro-reflective markers may be attached or affixed on a surface of an object. The local positioning system may then capture a first image of the imaging targets in a non-illuminated state and further capture a second image of the imaging targets in an illuminated state. A difference image between the first and second captured images may be computed and then segmented. The local positioning system may then identify the plurality of imaging targets based on the segmented difference image and position itself to extract information. The extracted information may then be used to help calibrate the local positioning system.

公开(公告)号：US20170307516A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-26

申请号：US15135703

申请日：2016-04-22

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Gary E. Georgeson ,  William P. Motzer ,  Jeffry J. Garvey ,  Scott W. Lea ,  James C. Kennedy ,  Steven K. Brady ,  Alan F. Stewart ,  Jill P. Bingham

IPC: G01N21/17 ,  G02B7/24

CPC classification number: G01N21/1702 ,  B23K26/706 ,  G01N29/043 ,  G01N29/2418 ,  G01N2201/06113 ,  G01N2201/068 ,  G02B7/22 ,  G02B7/24

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, for shielding light generated by a laser during non-destructive inspection of an object. The apparatus includes a light shield at least partially enveloping the laser and defining a first opening through which light generated by the laser passes from the laser to the object. The light shield is opaque and includes at least one first biasing mechanism. The apparatus also includes at least one first light seal coupled to the light shield about the first opening of the light shield. The at least one first biasing mechanism is configured to urge resilient deformation of the at least one first light seal against the object. When the at least one first light seal is resiliently deformed against the object, light generated by the laser is constrained within a light containment space defined between the light shield, the at least one first light seal, and the object.