Non-destructive inspection systems and methods that incorporate interchangeable probes
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDennis P. Sarr, James C. Kennedy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-destructive inspection (NDI) device is described that includes a robotic arm, a storage device proximate the robotic arm, and a plurality of NDI probe assemblies disposed within the storage device. Each NDI probe assembly includes at least one transducer operable for NDI of a part and a tool operable as a mechanical interface between the robotic arm and the corresponding NDI probe assembly. Each NDI probe assembly is configured for a specific NDI task, for NDI of a part, and the robotic arm is operable for selectively engaging the tools and movement of the probe assemblies for the NDI of at least a portion of a part.
Claims12
A method for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of a part that incorporates multiple structural features, said method comprising:
- selecting an NDI probe assembly from a plurality of NDI probe assemblies staged proximate a robotic arm, the selection based upon one or more of the multiple structural features associated with the part to be inspected;
- disposing the plurality of NDI probe assemblies proximate a storage device proximate the robotic arm;
- engaging the selected NDI probe assembly with the robotic arm;
- moving the robotic arm from the staging area to an inspection area such that the selected NDI probe assembly engages the part to be inspected proximate one of the structural features of the part that is associated with the selected NDI probe assembly;
- guiding the NDI probe assembly along the part in a defined path while a transducer associated with the selected NDI probe assembly provides and receives signals associated with NDI;
- returning the selected NDI probe assembly to the staging area;
- and
- repeating the selecting, engaging, moving, guiding, and returning steps for at least one more NDI probe assembly staged proximate the robotic arm, each NDI probe assembly associated with at least one different structural feature of the part and communicatively coupled to a corresponding electronic assembly both when the NDI probe assembly is deployed on the robotic arm and when staged proximate the robotic arm.
A non-destructive inspection (NDI) system comprising:
- a linear track comprising a carriage operable to move along said linear track;
- a robotic arm mounted to said carriage;
- a storage device mounted to said carriage;
- a plurality of electronic assemblies mounted to said carriage, each of said electronic assemblies operable to provide signals for the operation of specific transducers utilized in NDI;
- and
- a plurality of NDI probe assemblies disposed within said storage device communicatively coupled to a corresponding said electrical assembly, each NDI probe assembly comprising at least one transducer operable for NDI of a component and a mechanical interface to said robotic arm, for NDI of a component having a plurality of structural features, said system programmed to:
- operate said robotic arm to select, engage and remove one of said NDI probe assemblies from said storage device for NDI of at least one specific structural feature,
- place the removed NDI probe assembly in a position with respect to the component such that the at least one transducer associated with the said NDI probe assembly is proximate a start position for NDI of the at least one structural feature;
- execute a command to start the NDI;
- move the removed NDI probe assembly along at least one defined scan path using at least one of said carriage and said robotic arm;
- return the removed NDI probe assembly to said storage device upon completion of the NDI of the structural features of the component associated with the removed NDI assembly;
- and
- said system further programmed to repeat the operation, placement, execution, movement and returning for each of said NDI probe assemblies within said storage device needed to complete a specific set of NDI tests for a plurality of structural features associated with the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.