초록 ▼

A surface scanner for conducting non-destructive inspection of complex surface structures and configurations. The scanner includes two flexible tracks, each fitted with a motor driven tractor assembly. A rigid beam track spans the two flexible tracks. The rigid beam track is coupled to each flexible

A surface scanner for conducting non-destructive inspection of complex surface structures and configurations. The scanner includes two flexible tracks, each fitted with a motor driven tractor assembly. A rigid beam track spans the two flexible tracks. The rigid beam track is coupled to each flexible track tractor assembly by articulating joints that permit movement at the joints along at least three independent axes. The rigid beam supports a third motorized tractor. This third tractor supports a compliant thruster assembly that deploys gimbaled mechanical impedance, ultrasonic and eddy current inspection probes. The movement of the scanner is controlled by a scan control system that includes both hardware and software for controlling the movement of the scanner over the surface to be inspected. The software also includes a teach mode that permits an operator to preprogram the scan pattern for the surface to be inspected using a global coordinate system, referencing points on the surface and the data display using an identical coordinate system. The scanner also includes a data acquisition and analysis system that control scanner functions and operations.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A surface scanner comprising:a first flexible track assembly supporting a first motorized tractor assembly;a second flexible track assembly supporting a second motorized tractor assembly;a third track assembly supported by the first track assembly and the second flexible track as

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A surface scanner comprising:a first flexible track assembly supporting a first motorized tractor assembly;a second flexible track assembly supporting a second motorized tractor assembly;a third track assembly supported by the first track assembly and the second flexible track assembly;a third motorized tractor assembly supported by the third track assembly;a thruster assembly supported by the third motorized tractor assembly;at least one inspection probe supported by the thruster assembly;scan control means for moving said at least one inspection probe over a surface to be inspected; anddata acquisition and analysis means for acquiring data from said inspection probe related to a scan of at least a portion of said surface, and analyzing said data for defects in said surface.