Patent ID: 8573076
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: G01D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of a part that incorporates multiple structural features, said method comprising: selecting an NDI probe assembly from a plurality of NDI probe assemblies staged proximate a robotic arm, the selection based upon one or more of the multiple structural features associated with the part to be inspected; disposing the plurality of NDI probe assemblies proximate a storage device proximate the robotic arm; engaging the selected NDI probe assembly with the robotic arm; moving the robotic arm from the staging area to an inspection area such that the selected NDI probe assembly engages the part to be inspected proximate one of the structural features of the part that is associated with the selected NDI probe assembly; guiding the NDI probe assembly along the part in a defined path while a transducer associated with the selected NDI probe assembly provides and receives signals associated with NDI; returning the selected NDI probe assembly to the staging area; and repeating the selecting, engaging, moving, guiding, and returning steps for at least one more NDI probe assembly staged proximate the robotic arm, each NDI probe assembly associated with at least one different structural feature of the part and communicatively coupled to a corresponding electronic assembly both when the NDI probe assembly is deployed on the robotic arm and when staged proximate the robotic arm.