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US 8,524,021 B2Granted
In-process vision detection of flaw and FOD characteristics
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRoger W. Engelbart, Reed Hannebaum, Tim Pollock
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Abstract
An inspection system (9) includes an idler wheel (61) that is coupled to a fabrication system (8) and is in contact with a backing layer (65) of an applied material (64), A rotation sensor (63) monitors the idler wheel (61) and generates a rotational signal. A controller (24) is coupled to the rotation sensor (63) and determines a characteristic of one or more flaws and FOD (19) on a composite structure (12) in response to the rotation signal.
Claims5
A method of fabricating a composite structure comprising:
- applying a plurality of composite material layers to a substrate to form the composite structure;
- rotating a material collection device via a backing layer of a composite material;
- generating light rays;
- directing said light rays at said portion of the composite structure;
- monitoring said portion;
- detecting said at least one flaw and FOD in said portion during application of said plurality of composite material layers in response to reflection of said light rays off of said portion;
- monitoring said material collection device and generating a rotational signal;
- and
- determining at least one characteristic of the at least one flaw and FOD on the portion of the composite structure in response to said rotation signal.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.