Patent Document ID: 9575033
Application ID: 14049974
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for evaluating an object, the method comprising: identifying a wrinkle axis along which a wrinkle in the object extends; positioning a linear array of elements over the wrinkle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wrinkle axis, wherein the linear array of elements comprises an array of transmitting elements and an array of receiving elements; sending, by an ultrasonic inspection system, an ultrasonic beam into the object at each of a plurality of locations using a portion of the array of transmitting elements; receiving, by the ultrasonic inspection system, reflected energy the an array of receiving elements in response to a portion of the energy being reflected off a plurality of layers in the object; creating a three-dimensional model of a wrinkle in the object based on the reflected energy received at the array of receiving elements; and evaluating the object based on the three-dimensional model, wherein evaluating the object includes determining the impact of the wrinkle on mechanical properties of the object.