System and method to inspect components having non-parallel surfaces

A laser ultrasonic inspection system operable to detect ultrasonic displacements at a remote target, comprising:

• a generation laser source to generate a detection laser beam;
• a first optical assembly that receives and directs the generation laser beam to the remote target where the generation laser beam is operable to generate an ultrasonic wave originating from a first location on the upper surface of the remote target;
• a detection laser source to generate a detection laser beam;
• a second optical assembly that receives and directs the detection laser beam to the remote target where ultrasonic displacements at a second location on the surface of the remote target scatter the detection laser beam to produce phase-modulated light;
• collection optics to collect the phase-modulated light;
• an interferometer to process the phase-modulated light and generate at least one output signal;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• obtain data representative of the ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface;
• and
• inspection information representative of the interior of the remote target.

A laser ultrasonic inspection system operable to inspect an object fabricated with composite materials, comprising:

• a plurality of sensors operable to detect, locate and measure dimensions of the object;
• a generation laser source to generate a detection laser beam;
• a first optical assembly that receives and directs the generation laser beam to illuminate a generation field substantially located at a first location on an outer surface of the object, wherein the generation laser beam is operable to generate an ultrasonic wave originating from the first location on the outer surface of the object;
• a detection laser source to generate a detection laser beam;
• a second optical assembly that receives and directs the detection laser beam to illuminate a detection field substantially located at a second location on the surface of the object, wherein ultrasonic displacements at the second location on the surface of the object scatter the detection laser beam to produce phase-modulated light, wherein the ultrasonic displacements are produced by reflecting the ultrasonic wave from an interior surface within the object to the second location;
• collection optics to collect the phase-modulated light, wherein the collection optics are operable to collect the phase-modulated light from a collection field substantially located at the second location;
• an interferometer to process the phase-modulated light and generate at least one output signal;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• obtain data representative of the ultrasonic surface displacements;
• and
• inspection information representative of the interior of the object.