Ultrasonic method to verify the interference fit of fasteners
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsGary E. Georgeson, James H. Lee, Karl E. Nelson
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Abstract
Embodiments of techniques to verify the interference fit of fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes aligning a probe proximate a fastener, the fastener being disposed within a material. A dynamic stress signal is generated from the probe using a low frequency transducer, and the dynamic stress signal is interrogated after it passes between the fastener and the material. An interference fit is then determined based on the interrogated dynamic stress signal.
Claims18
A method of determining an interference fit of a fastener, comprising:
- transmitting a low frequency stress wave through a first portion of a structure, the structure including a material secured with a fastener;
- monitoring an ultrasonic signal transmitted through a second portion of the structure, the second portion being separated from the first portion by an interference portion defined between the fastener and the material;
- measuring a phase shift from the ultrasonic signal;
- and
- determining an interference fit from the measured phase shift.
A method of verifying an interference fit, comprising:
- aligning a probe to a fastener;
- activating the probe, the probe transmitting low frequency stress waves into a first portion of a structure and measuring the stress waves with an ultrasonic signal at a second portion of the structure, the first and second portions of the structure being separated by an interference between a fastener and a material proximate the fastener;
- calculating an interference fit between the fastener and the material from the measured stress waves;
- and
- determining if the interference fit is within a threshold range.
A method, comprising:
- aligning a probe proximate a fastener that is disposed within a material, the fastener having an longitudinal axis;
- generating stress waves from the probe using a low frequency transducer, the stress waves being directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
- generating ultrasonic signals from the probe using a high frequency ultrasonic testing (HFUT) transducer, the HFUT to transmit ultrasonic signals being directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the stress waves to create a phase shift or velocity shift of the ultrasonic signals when the stress waves pass between the fastener and the material;
- interrogating the ultrasonic signals with an ultrasonic pulse receiver after the stress waves pass between the fastener and the material;
- and
- determining an interference fit parameter between the fastener and the material based on the measurement of the ultrasonic signal interrogated by the ultrasonic pulse receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.