US 7,193,696 B2 · Systems and methods for using light to indicate defect locations on a composite structure

Abstract

A method for using light to indicate locations of flaws and defects on a composite structure generally includes electronically accessing positional data defining one or more defect locations on a composite structure. The positional data can be extracted from a part fabrication file in which resides numerical control (NC) data that can be used by a material placement machine to fabricate the composite structure. The method also includes automatically causing at least one light source to direct light at the composite structure to indicate the defect locations as defined by the positional data. Accordingly, the light allows the defect locations to be readily ascertained for later action, such as manual defect repair and/or FOD removal by an operator.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method for indicating defect locations on a composite structure, the method comprising:

electronically accessing positional data upon receipt of a defect signal from a defect detection system, the positional data defining a location of a defect on a composite structure;
determining whether the defect is unacceptable;
determining whether repair of the defect can be affected using an automated repair system;
determining whether the defect requires manually affected repair;
and
automatically causing a light source to direct light at the composite structure to indicate:
the defect location as defined by the positional data;
whether the defect is unacceptable;
and
if the defect is determined to be unacceptable, at least one of:
whether repair of the defect can be automatically affected;
and
whether the defect requires manually affected repair.

10 more elements

A system for indicating defect locations on a composite structure, the system comprising:

at least one light source;
a controller associated with the light source to control operation of the light source;
a computer-readable media including instructions executable by the controller for:
electronically accessing positional data upon receipt of a defect signal from a composite structure inspection system, the positional data defining a location of a defect on a composite structure;
determining whether the defect is unacceptable;
determining whether repair of the defect can be affected using an automated repair system;
determining whether the defect requires manually affected repair;
and
automatically generating instructions for automatically causing the controller to operate the light source such that the light source directs light at the composite structure to indicate:
the defect location as defined by the positional data;
whether the defect is unacceptable;
and
if the defect is determined to be unacceptable, at least one of:
whether repair of the defect can be automatically affected;
and
whether the defect requires manually affected repair.

13 more elements

A computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions executable by a processor for:

electronically accessing positional data upon receipt of a defect signal from a composite structure inspection system, the positional data defining a location of a defect on a composite structure;
determining whether the defect is unacceptable;
determining whether repair of the defect can be affected using an automated repair system;
determining whether the defect requires manually affected repair;
and
automatically generating instructions for automatically causing a light source to direct light at the composite structure to indicate:
the defect location as defined by the positional data;
whether the defect is unacceptable;
and
if the defect is determined to be unacceptable, at least one of:
whether repair of the defect can be automatically affected;
and
whether the defect requires manually affected repair.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for using light to indicate defect locations on a composite structure

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for using light to indicate defect locations on a composite structure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26