Rotatable Shear Wave Inspection Tool for Fastener Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-destructive inspection methods for fastener holes in structures are inefficient and costly, often requiring disassembly and are not consistently repeatable, making it difficult to identify anomalies such as cracks, discontinuities, or porosity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable shear wave inspection tool with a rotatable top and multiple apertures allows for precise ultrasonic shear wave scanning around fastener holes without disassembly, using a removable and replaceable design to accommodate various hole sizes, and wireless communication for efficient data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-destructive inspection methods are used for fastener holes, then inspection can be performed without disassembly, but the inspection is inefficient and not consistently repeatable
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is segmented into modular components: a handheld probe unit with ultrasonic transducer, a rotatable top with multiple apertures for different hole sizes, and a data instrument. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in different configurations for specific inspection tasks, improving both repeatability and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable top component provides multi-functionality by incorporating multiple apertures that accommodate different fastener hole sizes and configurations. A single inspection tool can inspect various hole types by rotating the top to the appropriate aperture configuration, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and improving inspection consistency across different structures.
2Loss of time
If conventional inspection methods are used, then equipment may be simpler, but disassembly is required which increases time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable top acts as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic transducer and the fastener hole. It provides the necessary interface adaptations for different hole sizes without requiring disassembly of the structure. The intermediary enables direct inspection through various aperture configurations, saving time while the modular design keeps the overall system manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable top provides dynamic adaptability by allowing operators to rotate and select different aperture configurations based on the specific fastener hole being inspected. This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables the tool to handle various hole sizes and positions without requiring physical modification or disassembly, reducing inspection time while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single inspection tool is used for all fastener hole sizes, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different hole sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable top is designed as a universal interface component with multiple apertures that can accommodate different fastener hole diameters, depths, and configurations. By incorporating this multi-functional element into a single tool, the system achieves versatility across various hole types without requiring multiple specialized inspection devices, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity through modular design.
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
The tool enables quick, accurate, and repeatable inspections of fastener holes across different sizes and thicknesses, reducing costs and time while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic transducer emits an ultrasonic shear wave signal at an angle less than 90° from its contact surface into the structure as it sweeps around the fastener hole
Implementation Method 2
shear wave data is reflected back to the ultrasonic transducer for viewing and analysis on an ultrasonic data instrument. When the shear wave signal hits an anomaly in the structure surrounding the fastener hole, the reflected shear wave data shows an amplitude change indicating the anomaly
Data Source
AI summary
A shear wave inspection tool has a housing with a rotatable top removably fixable over a fastener hole in a structure. An aperture is positioned through the rotatable top and operable to couple an ultrasonic transducer such that when rotatable top is rotated, the ultrasonic transducer transmits a shear wave into the structure around the fastener hole inspecting the fastener hole for an anomaly. A shear wave inspection system includes the inspection tool, an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic data instrument operable to acquire data from the ultrasonic transducer, the nature of the received data indicates the presence of an anomaly in the fastener hole. A method for detecting anomalies in a fastener hole includes removably fixing the inspection tool over a fastener hole and rotating the rotatable top such that the ultrasonic transducer transmits a shear wave in a controlled sweep around the fastener hole.