Aircraft structures may be examined at different times to determine whether the aircraft structures have desired properties. For example, an aircraft structure may be inspected during manufacturing of the aircraft structure. If the aircraft structure does not have the desired properties, that aircraft structure may be reworked or discarded.
Boeing patents an autonomous non-destructive evaluation system for aircraft structures. Boeing has been working diligently to automate its manufacturing plants. The latest patent discloses the autonomous evaluation system that may used to perform non-destructive evaluation a new aircraft or an aircraft in operation. Inspection robots move around autonomously and use various sensors to evaluate the aircraft. This will help reduce human error while evaluation, will be cost-effective as well.
Patent Information
Publication number: US 9234904
Patent Title: Autonomous non-destructive evaluation system for aircraft structures
Publication type: Grant
Application number: US 14/149,887
Publication date: Jan 12, 2016
Filing date: Jan 08, 2014
Inventors: James J. Troy; Gary Ernest Georgeson; Karl Edward Nelson; Scott Wesley Lea;
Original Assignee: The Boeing Company