Patent ID: 7698947
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: B33Y,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of non-destructive inspection, comprising: supporting a sensor holder on a first portion of a structure, wherein the sensor holder is configured for traveling over at least the first portion of the structure, wherein the sensor holder defines a plurality of holes configured to support and orient a plurality of non-destructive inspection sensors arranged in a matrix array having at least two rows and at least two columns, wherein an offset hole in a first row of the matrix array of holes is defined at an offset position from the holes in other columns in the matrix array of holes and to permit a first non-destructive inspection sensor of the matrix array and supported by the offset hole to inspect a different portion of the structure than the non-destructive inspection sensors of the holes in any other columns in the matrix array of holes, and wherein the sensor holder comprises the plurality of non-destructive inspection sensors supported and oriented by the plurality of holes, each of the non-destructive inspection sensors disposed within one of the holes of the matrix array and the first non-destructive inspection sensor being supported and oriented by the offset hole; passing the sensor holder over at least the first portion of the structure; and transmitting ultrasonic signals from the plurality of non-destructive inspection sensors to at least the first portion of the structure in an offset matrix array corresponding to the matrix array of the plurality of holes, including the offset hole.