241results about "Investigating composite materials" patented technology

A 3D pulsed laser projection system scans an object to produce a dense 3D point cloud and projects a laser light beam onto an object as a glowing template. A high-sensitivity optical feedback system receives and detects a feedback beam of the output beam light diffusely reflected from the object. The feedback light and projected beam share the same beam path between steering mirrors and the object. A light suppression component controls stray scattered light, including ambient light, from being detected. A time-of-flight measurement subsystem provides a distance-to-object measurement for projected pulses. An acousto-optical modulator, variable gain detected signal amplification and variable photo-detector power together produce a dynamic range for detected reflected feedback signals of at least 100,000, and up to 500,000. Optical fiber cables spatially filter scattered light and isolate the photo-detectors thermally. The laser is preferably pulsed at least 50 kHz, with sampling of the projected and feedback reflected optical pulse signals at a sampling rate of up to 10 gigasamples per second.

A laser projection system scans an output laser light beam onto an object to detect features. A high-sensitivity optical feedback system receives and detects a feedback beam of the output beam light diffusely reflected from the object. The feedback light and projected output beam share the same beam path between beam-steering mirrors of the projector and the object. The laser projection system has light suppression components to control stray scattered light, including ambient light, from being detected. A computer of the laser projection system calculates fiducial points on the object from detected features to align the projection system with the object without using targets. This feature detection is used in a process to guide assembly and fabrication on or to the object, and to verify the accurate placement of parts and fabrication steps in place after they are assembled or processed. In one form, the detected feature is a light spot on the object produced by a second light source.

An apparatus comprises an automated guided vehicle that moves on a surface of a composite structure during operation of the apparatus to inspect the composite structure, a surface inspection sensor system associated with the automated guided vehicle, and an automated guided vehicle and surface inspection sensor system controller in communication with the automated guided vehicle and the surface inspection sensor system.

A system for inspecting a composite material laid onto a substrate by a lamination machine. An imaging assembly attached to a rear portion of a delivery head of the machine obtains an image of at least a portion of the laid material beneath the imaging assembly. A processor inspects the image to detect a flaw. This system can provide an image of laid tape obtained close to a tape compaction point and can be implemented as a retrofit or as original equipment in lamination machines.

A method of non-destructively determining the physical property of a material surface, the method including irradiating a surface with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting said infrared energy reflected from said surface over said spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate calibration of said reflected infrared energy at a plurality of selected wavelengths including said spectrum of wavelengths; using results of said multivariate calibration to predict one or more physical properties of said model material; and, determining said one or more physical properties of said surface. Details are included for the case where uni-directional fiber CFRP materials are to be calibrated and predicted because special care must be taken for that material to insure the incident light from the spectrometer is at the proper orientation for calibration and for prediction of samples in question.

A modular sensor for damage detection with an optical fiber (FBG sensor) to detect a damage of a composite material, having a high level of visibility and manageability, and its manufacturing method is described. A structural composite material embedded with this modular sensor for damage detection is also described.

A system and method of inspecting material laid by a material placement machine. Light is directed onto the material in a direction essentially normal to the material to illuminate a section of the material. Laser energy is projected onto the section at an angle predetermined to reveal imperfections in the section. This system provides improved illumination for material widths exceeding six inches and is scalable for inspecting various material widths.

A flaw and foreign object debris (FOD) detection system (11) for use during fabrication of a structure (12) includes an illumination device (13). The illumination device (13) is configured to be in proximity with a fabrication system (10) and illuminates a portion (18) of the structure (12). The illumination device (13) directs light rays (16) at acute angles relative to the portion (18). A detector (14) monitors the portion (18) and detects FOD in the portion (18) during fabrication of the structure (12) in response to the reflection of the light rays (16) off of the portion (18).

A method of non-destructively determining the physical property of a material surface, the method including irradiating a surface with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting said infrared energy reflected from said surface over said spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate calibration of said reflected infrared energy at a plurality of selected wavelengths including said spectrum of wavelengths; using results of said multivariate calibration to predict one or more physical properties of said model material; and, determining said one or more physical properties of said surface. Details are included for the case where uni-directional fiber CFRP materials are to be calibrated and predicted because special care must be taken for that material to insure the incident light from the spectrometer is at the proper orientation for calibration and for prediction of samples in question.

Apparatus and methods for inspecting a workpiece are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for inspecting a workpiece comprises illuminating at least a portion of the workpiece with at least one illumination beam and capturing at least one image including at least on line signature formed by illuminating the workpiece with the illumination beam. The method further includes performing two-dimensional and three-dimensional processes on the captured image and classifying at least one feature associated with the workpiece based at least in part on data generated by the two-dimensional and three-dimensional processes.

Systems and methods for avoidance of tape flaw or splices in manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of applying a tape onto a workpiece includes feeding the tape from a tape supply using a tape application assembly, and applying the tape onto the workpiece using the tape application assembly. Simultaneously with the feeding of the tape, the tape is monitored for a marker indicating a defect within the tape, the marker being spaced apart along the tape from the defect such that the marker arrives prior to the defect. The method further includes detecting the marker, and avoiding the application of a portion of the tape that includes the defect onto the workpiece.

A method and an apparatus for automatically collecting and processing nondestructive test (NDT) data to determine the presence, type, location, size, and strength of defects in composite, honeycomb, and grid structures like those found in aircraft, wind blades, boats, cars, building structures. The preferred embodiment is comprised of an uncooled IR mounted on a frame, a conductive heating mat, an IR Ruler with fiducials in a recognizable pattern, a computer, a processor, and output displays. The data collection, processing, and display output can be controlled or reviewed remotely via the internet. The processing, location, and output displays can be applied to any NDT system that collects and processes a two-dimensional amplitude image (e.g., x-ray systems).