Laser ultrasonic multi-component imaging
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsThomas K. Williams, Kenneth Telschow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques for ultrasonic determination of the interfacial relationship of multi-component systems are discussed. In implementations, a laser energy source may be used to excite a multi-component system including a first component and a second component at least in partial contact with the first component. Vibrations resulting from the excitation may be detected for correlation with a resonance pattern indicating if discontinuity exists at the interface of the first and second components.
Claims20
A method for evaluating interface anomalies between components, the method comprising:
- emitting a modulated laser beam at a multi-component system including a first component and a second component which is at least in partial contact with the first component, at least one of the first component and the second component being a fastener;
- exciting at least a portion of the multi-component system via the modulated laser beam;
- and
- detecting vibrations resulting from the exciting at least a portion of the multi-component system, the vibrations correlating to a resonance pattern indicating a discontinuity between the first component and the second component.
9-20. (canceled)
A method for identifying interface anomalies between vehicle components, the method comprising:
- emitting a laser beam at a multi-component vehicle system including a fastener and an outer skin material;
- exciting one or more of the fastener and the outer skin material via the laser beam;
- detecting vibrations resulting from the exciting one or more of the fastener and the outer skin material;
- and
- presenting a resonance pattern identifying a gap between the fastener and the outer skin material of the multi-component vehicle system, the resonance pattern based on the detected vibrations.
An ultrasonic imaging system for identifying interface anomalies between components of a multi-component sample, the system comprising:
- a laser source to emit a laser beam at the multi-component sample to excite at least a portion of the multi-component sample;
- a photorefractive crystal to detect vibrations resulting from the exciting at least a portion of the multi-component sample;
- and
- a display device to display a resonance pattern for the multi-component sample based on the detected vibrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.