System and method for real-time visualization of defects in a material
The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
1 . A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer in communication with a processor and a display means;
wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from a test object to produce scan data;
wherein the test object includes a multiplicity of layers;
wherein one or more of the multiplicity of layers includes at least one wrinkle having an average wavelength, an average amplitude, and an average aspect ratio;
wherein the processor calculates the average aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle;
wherein, if the at least one wrinkle exists within the test object, the processor determines an initial depth at which the amplitude of each of the at least one wrinkle exceeds a predetermined threshold amplitude and a final depth at which the amplitude of each of the at least one wrinkle falls below a predetermined amplitude;
wherein the processor generates a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to a surface of the at least one wrinkle;
wherein the processor determines a local curvature at each depth and locates points where the local curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold to detect the presence of the at least one wrinkle; and
wherein the processor automatically isolates the at least one wrinkle from surrounding material in a graphical representation.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the average amplitude of at least one wrinkle is less than about 0.2 millimeters.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives signals from the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to a full waveform of the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic transducer.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor calculates the average aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle without the use of a calibration block.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer operates at a frequency between about 5 MHz and about 15 MHz.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object, and wherein, based on the plurality of B-scans, the processor determines between which layers the at least one wrinkle is located.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the processor generates at least one three-dimensional (3-D) graphical representation of one of the multiplicity of layers having at least one wrinkle based on the plurality of B-scans.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is in communication with an artificial intelligence module, wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object, and wherein the artificial intelligence module automatically highlights the at least one wrinkle on each of the plurality of B-scans.
9 . A system for non-destructive testing of composite materials, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer in communication with a processor and a display means;
wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to emit ultrasonic waves into and receive ultrasonic waves from a test object to produce scan data;
wherein the test object includes a multiplicity of layers;
wherein the processor generates a plurality of B-scans for the test object;
wherein, based on the plurality of B-scans, the processor determines whether at least one wrinkle exists between any two of the multiplicity of layers;
wherein the processor determines a local curvature at each depth and locates points where the local curvature exceeds a predetermined threshold to detect the presence of the at least one wrinkle; and
wherein the processor automatically isolates the at least one wrinkle from surrounding material in a graphical representation.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor calculates an aspect ratio, an average amplitude, and/or an average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor calculates the aspect ratio, the average amplitude, and/or the average wavelength of the at least one wrinkle without the use of a calibration block.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wrinkle has an aspect ratio less than about 0.1.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wrinkle has an average amplitude of less than about 0.2 millimeters.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer operates at a frequency between about 5 MHz and about 15 MHz.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the ultrasonic transducer is disposed within a coupling fluid-filled chamber of a portable transducer housing assembly.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor generates at least one three-dimensional (3-D) graphical representation of one of the multiplicity of layers having the at least one wrinkle based on the plurality of B-scans.