Inspection of drilled features in objects
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorsJonathan Michael Carberry, Austin James Cook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a depth of a feature (4) formed in an object (2), the feature (4) having been formed in the object (2) by a cutting tool (38). The apparatus comprises: a camera (42) configured to capture an image of the feature (4) and a portion of the object (2) proximate to the feature (4); and one or more processors operatively coupled to the camera (42) and configured to: detect, in the image, an edge (72) of the feature (4) between the feature (4) and a surface of the object (2); using the detected edge (72), calculate a diameter for a circle (74, 76, 78); acquire a point angle of the cutting tool (38); and, using the calculated diameter and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature (4).
Claims9
An apparatus for determining a specific depth of a feature formed in a surface of an object, the feature having been formed through the surface of the object by a cutting tool, the apparatus comprising:
- a camera configured to capture an image of the feature and a portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature;
- and
- one or more processors operatively coupled to the camera and configured to:
- detect, in the image, an edge of the feature between the feature and the surface of the object;
- using the detected edge, calculate a diameter for a circle;
- acquire a point angle of the cutting tool;
- determine whether the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature has one of three curvatures selected from:
- a curvature substantially equal to zero,
- a curvature substantially concave relative to the camera, and
- a curvature substantially convex relative to the camera;
- and,
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature has curvature substantially equal to zero, using the diameter of the best fit circle that best fits to the detected edge, and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature;
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature is concave relative to the camera, and wherein a shape of the detected edge in the image is substantially an ellipse, using the diameter of the circle equal to a minor axis of the ellipse and the acquired point angle, calculate the depth value for the feature;
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature is convex relative to the camera, and wherein a shape of the detected edge in the image is substantially an ellipse, using the diameter of the circle equal to a major axis of the ellipse and the acquired point angle, calculate the depth value for the feature;
- whereby the specific depth of the feature is determined.
A method of determining a specific depth of a feature formed in a surface of an object, the feature having been formed through the surface of the object by a cutting tool, the method comprising:
- capturing an image of the feature and a portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature;
- detecting, in the image, an edge of the feature between the feature and the surface of the object;
- using the detected edge, calculating a diameter for a circle;
- acquiring a point angle of the cutting tool;
- determine whether the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature has one of three curvatures selected from:
- a curvature substantially equal to zero,
- a curvature substantially concave relative to the camera, and
- a curvature substantially convex relative to the camera;
- and,
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature has curvature substantially equal to zero, using the diameter of the best fit circle that best fits to the detected edge, and the acquired point angle, calculate a depth value for the feature
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature is concave relative to the camera, and wherein a shape of the detected edge in the image is substantially an ellipse, using the diameter of the circle equal to a minor axis of the ellipse and the acquired point angle, calculate the depth value for the feature;
- responsive to determining that the portion of the surface of the object proximate to the feature is convex relative to the camera, and wherein a shape of the detected edge in the image is substantially an ellipse, using the diameter of the circle equal to a major axis of the ellipse and the acquired point angle, calculate the depth value for the feature;
- whereby the specific depth of the feature is determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.