Non-destructive scanning device for airfoil-shaped bodies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12460989-B2
Application number	US-202318208595-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2023
Priority date	Jun 13, 2022
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus including a first central base attached to a second central base, connected by a bridge, with a space defined between the two central bases. The first central base and the second central base are each attached to a plurality of wheels extending into the space between the two central bases, with the plurality of wheels configured to translate the apparatus along a rotorcraft blade. The first central base and/or the second central base include a recess configured to receive a connection arm attached to a non-destructive scanning device. The apparatus is able to be used for ultrasonic, radiographic, eddy current, thermographic, acoustic, or visual non-destructive testing.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for non-destructively scanning rotorcraft blades, comprising:
a central base, including a top component and a bottom component bridged by and integrally formed with a connector; and an inspection module attached to an elongate member including at least one peg; wherein at least one bottom wheel extends from the bottom component inwardly toward the top component; wherein at least one top wheel extends from the top component inwardly toward the bottom component; wherein the central base defines at least one recess extending longitudinally along the central base; wherein the at least one recess is configured to accept the at least one peg of the elongate member; and wherein the elongate member is rotatable about the at least one peg, such that the position of the inspection module with respect to the central base is able to be adjusted.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inspection module includes at least one ultrasonic probe, at least one ultrasonic resonance probe, at least one terahertz probe, at least one radiographic probe, at least one thermographic probe, and/or at least one eddy current probe.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inspection module is operable to automatically move upwardly and downwardly along the elongate member.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inspection module includes at least one fluid release mechanism operable to release marking fluid or dye proximate to an inspection area scanned by the inspection module.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inspection module is operable to automatically pivotably tilt toward or away from the central base.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is operable to automatically adjust a camber of the at least one top wheel and/or the at least one bottom wheel.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one top wheel includes a plurality of top wheels and wherein the at least one bottom wheel includes a plurality of bottom wheels.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top component is vertically movable with respect to the bottom component by at least one motor.

9 . A system for non-destructively scanning rotorcraft blades, comprising:
a blade scanning apparatus, including:
a central base, including a top component and a bottom component bridged by and integrally formed with a connector; and
an inspection module attached to an elongate member pivotably connected with a recess of the central base; and
at least one user device in wireless communication with the inspection module; wherein the inspection module is operable to generate scan data for a test object and transmit the scan data to the at least one user device; wherein at least one bottom wheel extends from the bottom component inwardly toward the top component; and wherein at least one top wheel extends from the top component inwardly toward the bottom component.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the connector bridges a first end of the top component and a first end of the bottom component.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one user device is operable to transmit a scan routine to the blade scanning apparatus, wherein the scan routine includes a distance that the blade scanning apparatus is to travel and/or a pattern of movement or adjustment of the inspection module, and wherein the blade scanning apparatus is operable to automatically execute the scan routine.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the blade scanning apparatus is operable to automatically adjust a camber of the at least one top wheel and/or the at least one bottom wheel.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inspection module includes at least one ultrasonic probe, at least one ultrasonic resonance probe, at least one terahertz probe, at least one radiographic probe, at least one thermographic probe, and/or at least one eddy current probe.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inspection module is operable to automatically move upwardly and downwardly along the elongate member.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one user device is in wireless communication with at least one motor driving the at least one bottom wheel and/or at least one motor driving the at least one top wheel, and wherein the at least one user device is operable to transmit commands to the blade scanning apparatus causing it to move forward or backward.

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the inspection module includes at least one fluid release mechanism operable to release marking fluid or dye proximate to an inspection area scanned by the inspection module.

17 . An apparatus for non-destructively scanning rotorcraft blades, comprising:
a central base, including a top component and a bottom component bridged by and integrally formed with a connector; and an inspection module attached to an elongate member pivotably connected with a recess of the central base; wherein the inspection module includes at least one fluid release mechanism operable to release marking fluid or dye proximate to an inspection area scanned by the inspection module; wherein a plurality of bottom wheels extend from the bottom component inwardly toward the top component; and wherein a plurality of top wheels extend from the top component inwardly toward the bottom component.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the inspection module includes at least one ultrasonic probe, at least one ultrasonic resonance probe, at least one terahertz probe, at least one radiographic probe, at least one thermographic probe, and/or at least one eddy current probe.

19 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is operable to receive a scan routine, wherein the scan routine includes a distance that the blade scanning apparatus is to travel and/or a pattern of movement or adjustment of the inspection module, and wherein the apparatus is operable to automatically execute the scan routine.

20 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the inspection module is operable to automatically pivotably tilt toward or away from the central base.

Assignees

• Verifi Tech Llc
• Univ Baylor

Inventors

• Jack David A
• Blandford Benjamin M
• Georgeson Gary

Classifications

• B64C27/006 Primary

  Safety devices · CPC title

• G01M5/0033

  by determining damage, crack or wear · CPC title

• G01M5/0025

  of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways (G01M5/0058 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01M5/0066

  by exciting or detecting vibration or acceleration (vibration testing of structures G01M7/00) · CPC title

• G01M5/0091

  by using electromagnetic excitation or detection · CPC title