Patent ID: 6131460
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An ultrasonic inspection system for inspecting an aircraft stiffener comprising an immersion system including in combination:motor drive wheels;a fore and aft motor drive assembly;said fore and aft motor drive assemblies operating synchronously;a spring loaded platform;said fore and aft motor drive assemblies mounted on said spring-loaded platform for pushing said fore and aft motor drive assemblies against the aircraft stiffener;a non-movable fixed drive wheel disposed opposite said motor drive wheels; the interaction of said motor drive wheels providing translational movement of the stiffener through said immersion system;said immersion system including an immersion tank having an edge probe within said immersion tank for inspecting the edge of said aircraft stiffener;fore and aft position encoder assemblies operating synchronously;said fore position encoder assembly actuated as an aircraft stringer moves through said immersion system; andsaid aft position encoder assembly activated when said aircraft stringer disengages from said fore position encoder assembly until said aircraft stringer disengages from said aft position encoder assembly.