# US 12,181,426 B2 · System and method for inspecting defects of structure by using X-ray

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- Number: US 12,181,426 B2
- Document ID: US12181426B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/513,596
- Filed: 2023-11-19
- Published: 2024-03-28
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-08-24
- Assignees: NEUF Inc.
- Applicants: NEUF Inc.
- Inventors: Myoung Chan Na
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181426B2

## CPC

- G01N 23/083: the radiation being X-rays
- G01N 23/04: and forming images of the material
- G01N 23/18: Investigating the presence of flaws defects or foreign matter
- G05D 1/648: Performing a task within a working area or space, e.g. cleaning
- G05D 1/689: Pointing payloads towards fixed or moving targets (positioning towed, pushed or suspended implements G05D1/672)
- G05D 1/695: for maintaining a fixed relative position of the vehicles, e.g. for convoy travelling or formation flight
- G01N 2223/04: and measuring absorption
- G01N 2223/20: Sources of radiation
- G01N 2223/3303: object fixed; source and detector move
- G01N 2223/40: Imaging
- G01N 2223/63: turbine blades
- G01N 2223/646: flaws, defects
- G05D 2105/89: {for inspecting structures, e.g. wind mills, bridges, buildings or vehicles}
- G05D 2107/75: {Electric power generation plants}
- G05D 2109/254: {Flying platforms, e.g. multicopters}
- G05D 2111/10: Optical signals
- Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A defect inspection system includes an X-ray generator that generates X-ray to be irradiated to a structure, and an X-ray detector that detects the X-ray generated by the X-ray generator and transmitted through the structure. In particular, the X-ray generator is configured to be moved by a first transporting means, and the X-ray detector is configured to be moved by a second transporting means. The system further includes a control unit configured to control and operate the first transporting means and the second transporting means.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting a defect in a structure using a system comprising an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector, the method comprising:
dividing virtually, by a controller, the structure into a plurality of sections based on a thickness of the structure;
receiving, by the controller, a location of the X-ray generator;
generating, by the X-ray generator, X-ray and irradiating to the structure; and
detecting, by the X-ray detector, the X-ray generated by the X-ray generator and transmitted through the structure,
wherein, the controller is configured to control output of the X-ray generator based on the thickness of the structure corresponding to the location of the X-ray generator relative to the plurality of sections.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by an inspection record receiving unit, information detected by the X-ray detector; and
determining, by a defect determination unit, presence of a defect in the structure based on the information received by the inspection record receiving unit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are configured to be moved by a first transporting means and a second transporting means, respectively.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the first transporting means is configured to transport the X-ray generator in a back-and-forth path along the structure.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the first transporting means, the second transporting means, or both are implemented as at least one of a drone, a rail, a robot, or a Jimmy Jib.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a wind turbine blade.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a wind turbine blade,
wherein the wind turbine blade is divided into a plurality of lengthwise sections; and
wherein an output of the X-ray generator is decreased for a section among the plurality of lengthwise sections that is farther from a hub of the wind turbine blade.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a wind turbine blade, and
wherein an output of the X-ray generator is gradually decreased as the X-ray generator is moved away from a hub of the wind turbine blade.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the X-ray generator is configured to be moved by a first transporting means, and
wherein the first transporting means is configured to transport the X-ray generator in a back-and-forth path along the wind turbine blade.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the X-ray generator is configured to be moved by a first transporting means, and
wherein the first transporting means is configured to transport the X-ray generator in a back-and-forth path along the wind turbine blade.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, perform the method of claim 1.