US 7,627,083 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for automated, digital, radiographic inspection of aerospace parts

AssigneeVJ Technologies

InventorsMichael Thomas Ross, Samir Anjelly, James Harcourt Brim, Robert Louis Lukasik

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Abstract

A system and method for automatic digital radiographic inspection of round aerospace parts (18) and irregularly shaped aerospace parts (19) includes a radiation source (14) and a radiation detector (16) located on opposite sides of the aerospace part to receive the radiation from the radiation source. In operation the radiation source and the radiation detector are manipulated by a robot (10) in six independent axes of motion. The aerospace part is rotated by a part manipulator (20) to provide the seventh axis of motion and the aerospace part is tilted to provide the eighth axis of motion. This allows every portion of the aerospace part to be examined. The radiation detector converts the impinging radiation into electrical signals and the system generates the radiographic images and archives these images.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for automated, digital radiographic inspection of a round aerospace part, said system comprising:

(a) a radiation source and radiation detector relatively situated on opposite sides of a wall of said round aerospace part;
(b) supporting means for said radiation source and said radiation detector with opening on one end, the size of said opening being defined by the thickness of said wall of said round aerospace part;
(c) first positioning means for six axes independent movement of said supporting means;
(d) second positioning means for pivotably holding said round aerospace part and providing a seventh independent axis of movement;
(e) third positioning means to tilt said second positioning means to provide an eighth independent axis of movement;
(f) computer for controlling said first and second positioning means said computer causing said supporting means to move around said round aerospace part in a pre-determined sequence and
(g) imaging unit that receives data signals from said radiation detector,
whereby all segments of said round aerospace part via eight independent axes of movement are inspected and digital images of said aerospace part are created.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.