US 2003/0154801 A1 · System, method and apparatus for the inspection of joints in a composite structure

Abstract

A system for inspecting the joint of a composite structure includes a transmitting transceiver and a receiving transceiver, as well as a processing element. Typically, the composite structure includes first and second panels that are connected to define the joint, with the second panel extending outwardly from the first panel of the joint. Moreover, the composite structure includes a filler disposed at the joint. The transmitting transducer is disposed proximate an input side of the second panel and can transmit an ultrasonic signal into the second panel such that at least a portion of the signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits an output side of the second panel. A receiving transducer disposed proximate the output side of the second panel can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. And a processing element is capable of identifying a defect in the composite structure.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A system for inspecting a joint in a composite structure that includes first and second panels that are connected thereby defining the joint, wherein the second panel at least partially extends outwardly from the first panel at the joint, and wherein the composite structure further includes a filler disposed at the joint, said system comprising:

a transmitting transducer disposed proximate an input side of the second panel, said transmitting transducer being capable of transmitting an ultrasonic signal into the second panel such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits an output side of the second panel, wherein the input and output sides are on opposite sides of the second panel and are located on a common side of the first panel;
a receiving transducer disposed proximate the output side of the second panel, said receiving transducer being capable of receiving the reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal;
and
a processing element capable of identifying a defect in the composite structure based upon a relationship of the reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal received by said receiving transducer to a predetermined threshold.

1 more element

A method for inspecting a joint in a composite structure comprising:

providing a composite structure that includes first and second panels that are connected thereby defining a joint, wherein the second panel includes two opposing sheets, wherein each sheet has a base portion, an upstanding portion and a fillet portion joining the base and upstanding portions, wherein the base portions of the sheets are disposed parallel to the first panel on a common side of the first panel and diverge from one another, and the upstanding portions extend outwardly from the first panel, wherein the fillet portions define a gap between the second panel and the first panel at the joint, and wherein the composite structure further includes a filler disposed in the gap;
transmitting an ultrasonic signal into the filler at the fillet portion of one of the sheets of the second panel such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits the second panel at the fillet portion of the other sheet;
receiving the reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal;
and
identifying a defect in the composite structure based upon a relationship of the reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal received to a predetermined threshold.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System, method and apparatus for the inspection of joints in a composite structure

Life of this patent

System, method and apparatus for the inspection of joints in a composite structure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23