US 10,768,121 B2 · Methods, apparatus, and systems for inspecting holes in transparent materials

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for detection of a condition in a hole defined by a transparent material that is at least partially enclosed by one or more substantially opaque materials. The method may include positioning a light source in a first hole in the transparent material, directing light from the positioned light source through the transparent material and toward a second hole that is adjacent to the first hole. A prism may be positioned so that the light transmitted from the light source through the machined inner surface of the second hole is visible through a viewing face of the prism. By observing the transmitted light, a surface condition of the machined inner surface of the second hole may be determined.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

positioning a light source in a first hole defined by an object of manufacture having a transparent material at least partially enclosed in one or more substantially opaque materials;
directing light from the positioned light source through the transparent material and toward a second hole defined by the object of manufacture that is adjacent to the first hole, the second hole defined by a machined inner surface;
positioning a prism having a viewing face adjacent to the transparent material, such that light transmitted from the light source through the machined inner surface of the second hole is visible through the viewing face of the prism;
observing the transmitted light;
and
determining a surface condition of the machined inner surface of the second hole based on the observed light transmitted through the viewing face.

3 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

a sleeve sized to be received in a first fastener hole of an object of manufacture having a transparent material at least partially enclosed in one or more substantially opaque materials, the sleeve having a hollow portion sized to receive a light source, the sleeve further including a cut-out portion configured, when the sleeve is received in the first fastener hole and the light source is received in the hollow portion, to direct light from the light source through the transparent material and toward a second fastener hole that is adjacent to the first fastener hole, the second fastener hole defined by a machined surface;
and
an adjustable arm having first and second end portions, the first end portion being connected to the sleeve and the second end portion being configured to support a viewing prism having a viewing face such that light transmitted from the light source goes through at least a portion of the machined surface of the second fastener hole and through the viewing face when the sleeve is received in the first fastener hole, the light source is received in the hollow portion, and the prism is disposed adjacent the transparent material.

A system, comprising:

a robotic arm;
a controller assembly configured to control the robotic arm;
and
an inspection apparatus attached to the robotic arm, the inspection apparatus comprising:
a sleeve sized to be received in a first fastener hole of an object of manufacture having a transparent material at least partially enclosed in one or more substantially opaque materials, the sleeve having a hollow portion sized to receive a light source, the sleeve further including a cut-out portion configured, when the sleeve is received in the first fastener hole and the light source is received in the hollow portion, to direct light from the light source through the transparent material and toward a second fastener hole that is adjacent to the first fastener hole, the second fastener hole defined by a machined surface;
a light source positioned in the hollow portion of the sleeve;
an arm having first and second end portions, the first end portion being connected to the sleeve and the second end portion being configured to support a viewing prism having a viewing face such that the viewing prism is disposed adjacent the transparent material when the sleeve is received in the first fastener hole;
and
a viewing prism supported by the second end portion of the arm, wherein light transmitted from the light source goes through at least a portion of the machined surface of the second fastener hole and through the viewing face when the sleeve is received in the first fastener hole.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/986,648Filed 22 May 2018

Published

US 2019/0360945 A128 Nov 2019

Granted

8 Sep 2020

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01N 21/958
Characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined: inspecting transparent materials or objects, e.g. windscreens
G01N 21/59
Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated: transmissivity
G01N 21/8806
Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination: specially adapted optical and illumination features
G01N 21/954
Characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined: inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores

Methods, apparatus, and systems for inspecting holes in transparent materials

Life of this patent

Methods, apparatus, and systems for inspecting holes in transparent materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21