Cellular Panel Shear Angle Measurement via Oblique X-Ray Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the shear angle between cell walls and facesheets in cellular panels are destructive and ineffective with existing X-ray inspection techniques, as they cannot accurately differentiate between zero and nonzero shear angles, and cannot transmit through the entire panel.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive imaging system using a radiation source and detector positioned at a tilt angle relative to the cellular panel to obtain images, allowing for the measurement of the projected shear angle and subsequent calculation of the actual shear angle between the interior wall and facesheet, utilizing equations such as tan θ = tan α * sin φ.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current X-ray inspection techniques are used to measure shear angle, then non-destructive inspection is achieved, but the technique cannot accurately differentiate between zero and nonzero shear angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidshear angle measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tilt angle dimension by positioning the X-ray source and detector at an angle φ relative to the panel normal. This dimensional change allows the projection of the shear angle θ to be magnified and differentiated from zero, resolving the inability of conventional normal-incidence X-ray inspection to distinguish shear angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the inspection parameter from normal incidence to oblique incidence by introducing a specific tilt angle range (20°-50°). This parameter change transforms the X-ray projection geometry, enabling accurate shear angle measurement through the relationship tan(α) = tan(θ) * sin(φ), where α is the measured projection angle and θ is the actual shear angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the panel is sliced into pieces for shear angle measurement, then direct measurement is possible, but the inspection becomes destructive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshear angle measurement precisionVSAvoidpanel integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slicing method with an X-ray imaging system. Instead of physically cutting the panel to measure shear angle, the invention uses oblique X-ray projection to non-destructively obtain the shear angle measurement, maintaining panel integrity while achieving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Shape

If X-ray inspection is performed from a view parallel to the facesheet, then the entire panel length cannot be imaged, but the shear angle might be more visible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of shear angleVSAvoidimaged area
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses oblique incidence X-ray imaging at a tilt angle φ between 20°-50° relative to the panel normal. This intermediate angular dimension provides both sufficient projection magnification to visualize shear angles and adequate X-ray transmission through the panel thickness to image the entire panel area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate, non-destructive quantification of the shear angle, allowing for adjustments to the forming process and ensuring the panels meet specifications, improving the manufacturing efficiency and quality control of cellular panels.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting radiation from the radiation source to the detector through the cellular panel at the tilt angle to obtain an image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray radiation transmission: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3128290B1Methods and system for determining shear angle
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3128290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3128290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3128290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A process (130) for determining an actual shear angle (θ) between an interior wall (30) and a facesheet (22, 24) of a cellular panel (20) using an imaging system (40) is disclosed. The imaging system includes a radiation source (44) and a detector (46) diametrically opposed to the radiation source. The process includes positioning (132) the cellular panel at a tilt angle (φ) relative to a line (50) extending between the radiation source and the detector, transmitting (134) radiation from the radiation source to the detector through the cellular panel at the tilt angle to obtain an image (62), measuring (136) a projected shear angle (α) in the obtained image, and determining (138) the actual shear angle between the interior wall and the facesheet using the tilt angle and the projected shear angle.