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US 9,336,588 B2Granted
Joint assemblies and method of inspecting thereof
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPhillip Crothers, Leo Christodoulou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint assembly is provided. The joint assembly includes a first component including a first bond surface and a second component including a second bond surface coupled to the first bond surface such that a bond line is defined therebetween. At least one of the first and second components includes a plurality of contrast particles that diffuse across the bond line when a predetermined amount of heat and pressure are applied to the first and second components.
Claims20
A joint assembly comprising:
- a first component comprising a first bond surface;
- and
- a second component comprising a second bond surface coupled to said first bond surface such that a bond line is defined therebetween,
- wherein at least one of said first and second components comprises a plurality of contrast particles that diffuse across said bond line when a predetermined amount of heat and pressure are applied to said first and second components.
1 more element
A joint assembly comprising:
- a first component comprising a first bond surface;
- a second component comprising a second bond surface configured to couple to said first bond surface;
- and
- a layer of adhesive positioned between said first and second bond surfaces such that a first bond line is defined between said layer and said first bond surface, and such that a second bond line is defined between said layer and said second bond surface, wherein said layer of adhesive comprises a plurality of contrast particles that diffuse across at least one of said first and second bond lines when a predetermined amount of heat and pressure are applied to said first and second components.
1 more element
A method of inspecting a joint assembly, said method comprising:
- evaluating the joint assembly via a non-destructive inspection technique;
- obtaining an image of the joint assembly;
- and
- verifying bond formation between components in the joint assembly based on a location of contrast particles in the image, wherein the contrast particles diffuse from a first location into at least one of the components when a predetermined amount of heat and pressure are applied to the components.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.