Method and apparatus for flexure testing to discover inconsistencies in composite structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJeffrey G. Thompson, Andrew J. McCulloch, Carl B. Gifford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and inspecting composite structures to discover inconsistencies by the force and displacement caused by extension of a stylus driven against the composite structure a fixed distance. The measurement of the force on the stylus and the deflection is made from the exterior surface of the composite structure, which eliminates the need to remove interior panels for inspection.
Claims26
A method for detecting inconsistencies in a composite structure, comprising the steps of:
- deflecting an interior portion of a test area of the composite structure a distance relative to an exterior portion of the test area by securing a surface of the exterior portion from motion in a first direction and driving a member against a surface of the interior portion at a first location in the first direction;
- measuring the force applied to deflect the interior portion of the test area the distance relative to the exterior portion of the test area;
- measuring the deflection of the test area at a second location laterally offset from the first location;
- and
- determining if the composite structure has inconsistencies by comparing the measured force to an expected force, comprising the step of comparing the measured deflection with an expected deflection.
A portable, single-sided nondestructive inspection apparatus for analyzing a composite structure, comprising:
- a frame having a horizontal member;
- a plurality of suction cups attached to the frame and configured to releasably attach the frame to a surface of the composite structure;
- a drive mechanism, coupled to the horizontal member of the frame, for urging a stylus against the surface of the composite structure at a first location;
- a force sensor for measuring a force applied to the surface of the composite structure at the first location by the driven stylus;
- and
- a second stylus, offset from the first stylus by a distance, the second stylus which records a displacement of the surface of the composite structure at a second location resulting from the urging of the second stylus against the surface of the composite structure.
An apparatus for detecting inconsistencies in a composite structure, comprising:
- means for deflecting an interior portion of a test area of the composite structure a distance relative to an exterior portion of the test area, comprising:
- means for securing a surface of the exterior portion from motion in a first direction and
- means for driving a member against a surface of the interior portion at a first location in the first direction;
- means for measuring the force applied to deflect the interior portion of the test area the distance relative to the exterior portion of the test area;
- means for measuring the deflection of the test area at a second location laterally offset from the first location;
- and
- means for determining if the composite structure has inconsistencies by comparing the measured force to an expected force, comprising means for comparing the measured deflection with an expected deflection.
A method for detecting inconsistencies in a composite structure, comprising the steps of:
- deflecting an interior portion of a test area of the composite structure a distance relative to an exterior portion of the test area by securing a surface of the exterior portion from motion in a first direction and driving a member against a surface of the interior portion at a first location in the first direction;
- measuring the deflection of the test area at a second location laterally offset from the first location;
- and
- determining if the composite structure has inconsistencies further comprises the step of comparing the measured deflection with an expected deflection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.