Systems and methods for remote, automated non-destructive inspection
| DWPI Title: Automated non-destructive system used for inspection of structures such as wind turbine blades, has inspection module included with testing module for inspecting structure and control module, and processor for determining severity of damage at inspection location |
| Abstract: An automated, inspection system that includes a robot with a closed loop control system that includes multiple Nondestructive Testing (NDI) modalities for complete through-thickness inspection of structures (e.g., wind turbine blades, aircraft, pressure vessels, pipelines, ships). The robot can be programmed either by a user or another inspection system to automatically move to a user-specified location, or a series of locations to complete a scan inspection of the area. The inspection region (size) is also automated via a user-specified input, other inspection system, or through other pre-programmed coverage patterns. Closed-loop control software allows the robot to automatically return to the location of any damaged region, identified during the inspection, so that the location can be marked and appropriate maintenance actions can be taken. |
| Use: Automated non-destructive system used for inspection of structures such as wind turbine blades.Can also be used in aircraft, pressure vessels, pipelines, ship structures. |
| Advantage: The location of a particular defect is more comprehensively characterized during the inspection process allowing for more accurate and timely maintenance decisions and has accurate in-service inspection, improve blade reliability, minimize blade downtime and extend blade life and is performed rapidly to minimize blade/turbine downtime. The system has the ability to detect damage that is close to its onset and detect damage anywhere through the thickness of the structure and smaller than that which is detected with visual process, allows for either less invasive repairs or prevents the need to completely replace the structure due to the extent of damage and avoids early structural replacement and allows the structure to reach its design life or even extend its operational life. |
| Novelty: The system (10) has an inspection module (24) included with an ultrasonic testing (UT) module for inspecting a structure i.e. wind turbine blade, and a control module (30). A processor for receiving inspection instruction comprising visual inspection, fabrication data, maintenance databases, manufacturer recommendations, user trends assessments, and trends assessments created by previous inspections by the system main body. The processor analyzes the inspection instructions to determine inspection locations and executes commands determined by the analysis to navigate a robot to the inspection locations on the structure and to perform UT at the locations. A processor determines the severity of damage at the inspection location on a structure. |
| Filed: 12/8/2021 |
| Application Number: US17545780A |
| Tech ID: SD 15566.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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