System and method for real-time visualization of defects in a material

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12529683-B2
Application number	US-202318196641-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2023
Priority date	Mar 30, 2020
Publication date	Jan 20, 2026
Grant date	Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer in communication with a processor and a display means; wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from a test object to produce scan data; wherein the test object includes a multiplicity of layers; wherein one or more of the multiplicity of layers includes at least one wrinkle having an average wavelength, an average amplitude, and an average aspect ratio; wherein the processor calculates the average aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle; wherein, if the at least one wrinkle exists within the test object, the processor determines an initial depth at which the amplitude of each of the at least one wrinkle exceeds a predetermined threshold amplitude and a final depth at which the amplitude of each of the at least one wrinkle falls below a predetermined amplitude; wherein the processor generates a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to a surface of the at least one wrinkle; wherein the processor determines a local curvature at each depth and locates points where the local curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold to detect the presence of the at least one wrinkle; and wherein the processor automatically isolates the at least one wrinkle from surrounding material in a graphical representation.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the average amplitude of at least one wrinkle is less than about 0.2 millimeters.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives signals from the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to a full waveform of the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor calculates the average aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle without the use of a calibration block.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer operates at a frequency between about 5 MHz and about 15 MHz.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object, and wherein, based on the plurality of B-scans, the processor determines between which layers the at least one wrinkle is located.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the processor generates at least one three-dimensional (3-D) graphical representation of one of the multiplicity of layers having at least one wrinkle based on the plurality of B-scans.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is in communication with an artificial intelligence module, wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object, and wherein the artificial intelligence module automatically highlights the at least one wrinkle on each of the plurality of B-scans.

9 . A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer in communication with a processor and a display means;
wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from a test object to produce scan data;
wherein the test object includes a multiplicity of layers; wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object; wherein, based on the plurality of B-scans, the processor determines whether at least one wrinkle exists between any two of the multiplicity of layers; wherein the processor determines a local curvature at each depth and locates points where the local curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold to detect the presence of the at least one wrinkle; and wherein the processor automatically isolates the at least one wrinkle from surrounding material in a graphical representation.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor calculates an aspect ratio, an average amplitude, and/or an average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor calculates the aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle without the use of a calibration block.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wrinkle has an aspect ratio less than about 0.1.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wrinkle has an average amplitude of less than about 0.2 millimeters.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer operates at a frequency between about 5 MHz and about 15 MHz.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed within a coupling fluid-filled chamber of a portable transducer housing assembly.

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor generates at least one three-dimensional (3-D) graphical representation of one of the multiplicity of layers having the at least one wrinkle based on the plurality of B-scans.

Assignees

• Verifi Tech Llc
• Univ Baylor

Inventors

• Jack David A
• Minnie William
• Blandford Benjamin M

Classifications

• G01N29/28

  providing acoustic coupling {, e.g. water (impedance matching G10K11/02)} · CPC title

• G01N2291/0231

  Composite or layered materials · CPC title

• G01N2291/101

  one transducer · CPC title

• G01N2291/044

  Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects · CPC title

• G01N29/226

  Handheld or portable devices · CPC title