System and method to calibrate multiple sensors
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsWesley Turner, Christopher Nafis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a multi-mode calibration target operable to calibrate multiple optical sensors. One embodiment has multiple planar surfaces, wherein the multiple planar surfaces are able to be distinguished by visual sensors based on their color, hue, shade, tint, or tone. Additionally, these planar surfaces may be raised or recessed from one another to provide depth contrast as well as visual contrast. Other embodiments may include narrow band emitters such as laser diodes located at predetermined locations within the multi-mode target. These targets may then be used to calibrate various sensors, such as optical sensors, within an inspection system such as a laser ultrasonic inspection system.
Claims25
A method to generate and detect ultrasonic surface displacements at a remote target comprising:
- calibrating optical sensors;
- generating ultrasonic displacements at a surface of the remote target;
- generating a detection laser beam;
- directing the detection laser beam to the surface of the remote target;
- scattering the detection laser beam with the ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface to produce phase modulated light;
- collecting the phase modulated light;
- collecting information from the optical sensors;
- processing the phase modulated light to obtain data representative of the ultrasonic surface displacements at the surface;
- and
- collecting the data with the information to analyze structures within the remote target.
A multi-mode calibration target operable to calibrate multiple optical sensors, comprising:
- a first planar surface, having a first color;
- and
- a second planar surface having a second color that contrasts with the first color, wherein:
- the second planar surface is parallel to the first planar surface;
- and
- the second planar surface is raised or recessed from the first planar surface.
A laser ultrasonic inspection system operable to detect ultrasonic displacements at a remote target, comprising:
- a plurality of optical sensors, wherein the optical sensors are calibrated with a multi-mode calibration target and wherein the optical sensors gather information at the remote target;
- a detection laser source to generate a detection laser beam;
- a first optical assembly that receives and directs the detection laser beam to the remote target where ultrasonic displacements at 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 process:
- the at least one output signal to obtain data representative of the ultrasonic displacements at the remote target;
- process information gathered by the plurality of optical sensors;
- and
- correlate data representative of the ultrasonic displacements at the remote target and information gathered by the plurality of optical sensors.
A method of calibrating multiple optical sensors of an optical inspection system, comprising:
- arranging a multi-mode target at predetermined locations within a work area;
- directing the multiple optical sensors at the multi-mode target;
- gathering optical data from the multiple optical sensors;
- comprising the optical data to known data associated with the multi-mode target;
- and
- correlating the optical data from the multiple optical sensors based on the known data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.