System and method for inspecting a beam using micro fiber-optic technology
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJoseph F. Floyd, John R. Linn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for inspecting a surface of a beam covered by at least one structure. The system includes at least one nut clip attached to the beam used to couple the structure to the beam, and at least one spacer inserted between the beam and the structure for creating a gap between the structure and the beam. A micro fiber-optic borescope is used to view the surface of the beam covered by the structure without removing the structure. The surface is viewed by inserting a micro fiber-optic thread of the borescope into the gap. The system eliminates the need for costly and time consuming disassembly and removal of components mounted on the structure before an inspection of the condition of the beam can be made.
Claims21
A system for inspecting a surface of a support element covered by at least one structure, said system comprising:
- at least one clip attached to said support element for attaching said structure to said support element and creating a gap between said structure and said support element, said clip comprising an upper leg and a lower leg including a coupler, said clip being attached to a flange of said support element in a manner whereby said lower leg is in frictional contact with a lower surface of said flange such that said coupler aligns with an aperture in said flange, and said upper leg is in frictional contact with an upper surface of said flange;
- and
- a micro fiber-optic borescope for viewing the surface of said support element covered by said structure, via said gap, without removing said structure,
- wherein said upper leg is configured to have a shorter length than said lower leg such that when said clip is attached to said flange said aperture in said flange is free from interference by said upper leg.
A method for inspecting a surface of a support member covered by at least one structure, said method comprising:
- attaching the structure to the support member utilizing a clip having an upper leg and a lower leg, the upper leg being shorter than the lower leg;
- creating a gap between the support member and the structure utilizing the clip upper leg;
- and
- viewing the support member surface covered by the structure utilizing a micro fiber-optic borescope.
An apparatus for securing panels over an upper surface of a support beam in a manner that permits inspection of said support beam upper surface, comprising:
- a plurality of securing clips attached to said support beam for mounting said panels to said support beam;
- and
- at least one spacer positioned separate from said securing clips between said support beam upper surface and said panel for creating a gap between said support beam upper surface and said panel adjacent said spacer sufficient to enable an optical fiber of a viewing device to be inserted therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.