US 2019/0173574 A1 · Automated Scanning Systems for Non-Destructive Inspection of Curved Cylinder-Like Workpieces

Abstract

Systems and methods for high-speed non-destructive inspection of a half- or full-barrel-shaped workpiece, such as a barrel-shaped section of an aircraft fuselage. Such workpieces can be scanned externally using a mobile (e.g., translating) arch gantry system comprising a translatable arch frame disposed outside the fuselage section, a carriage that can travel along a curved track carried by the arch frame, a radially inward-extending telescopic arm having a proximal end fixedly coupled to the carriage, and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The stiffeners of the fuselage sections can be scanned using a mobile scanner platform disposed inside the fuselage section, which platform comprises a radially outward-extending telescopic arm rotatably coupled to a mobile (e.g., holonomic or linear motion) platform and an NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The scan data is matched with position data acquired using any one of a plurality of tracking systems to enable the display of NDI features/flaws on a three-dimensional representation of the workpiece.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for scanning a stringer in an inside of a workpiece having a curved section that extends longitudinally and circumferentially, the method comprising:

placing a workpiece having a curved section that extends longitudinally and circumferentially so that the workpiece is stationary relative to a floor;
moving a mobile platform to a starting position on the floor and underneath the workpiece;
pivoting an the extendible arm that is pivotably coupled to the mobile platform to a target tilt angle dependent on an angular position of a stringer to be inspected;
at the target tilt angle, extending an inner sleeve of the extendible arm until a first NDI sensor unit coupled to a distal end of the inner sleeve engages a first portion of the stringer to be inspected;
activating the first NDI sensor unit to inspect the first portion of the stringer;
processing signals output from the first NDI sensor unit to derive first scan data characterizing a structural state of the first portion of the stringer;
and
acquiring first location data representing a first location of the first NDI sensor unit when the first NDI sensor unit engages the first portion of the stringer.

5 more elements

A system for supporting a mobile platform inside a curved cylinder-like workpiece, comprising:

a first extendible support comprising a first pedestal, a first fixed outer sleeve projecting vertically upward from said first pedestal, a first inner sleeve that is translatable inside said first outer sleeve, and a first bearing mounted to a distal end of said first inner sleeve;
a second extendible support comprising a second pedestal, a second fixed outer sleeve projecting vertically upward from said second pedestal, a second inner sleeve that is translatable inside said second outer sleeve, and a second bearing mounted to a distal end of said second inner sleeve;
a bridge beam spanning a space between said first and second extendible supports, said bridge beam having a first end rotatably coupled to said distal end of said first inner sleeve by said first bearing and a second end rotatably coupled to said distal end of said first inner sleeve by said first bearing;
first and second cross beams attached to and projecting laterally from said bridge beam;
first and second linear rails which are attached to said first and second cross beams in a mutually parallel relationship;
and
a mobile platform comprising a frame, a first set of rollers arranged on opposite sides of said first linear rail and a second set of rollers arranged on opposite sides of said second rail.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated Scanning Systems for Non-Destructive Inspection of Curved Cylinder-Like Workpieces

Life of this patent

Automated Scanning Systems for Non-Destructive Inspection of Curved Cylinder-Like Workpieces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20