Composite honeycomb (carbon/epoxy facesheets bonded to aluminum honeycomb) control surfaces for the CF-18 are inspected at the time of manufacture using (among other methods) ultrasonic through-transmission, but there is no automated ultrasonic inspection system to verify structural integrity of the honeycomb on in-service aircraft. Manual methods of ultrasonic contact scanning or even local through-transmission can be performed over small areas, but it is impossible to reliably inspect a complete control surface, such as a trailing edge flap on the wing or a horizontal stabilator, with hand-held transducers. A description is given of the development and characteristics of an automated scanner and ultrasonic system to perform through-transmission inspections of honeycom structure on the CF-18 without removal of the part from the aircraft. The prototype system, including a mobile lift table/platform, was demonstrated on an aircraft at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, and examples of C-scan images obtained are shown. Recommendations are made for further improvements.
Development of an automated ultrasonic inspection system for composite structure on in-service aircraft
Entwicklung eines automatischen Ultraschallprüfsystems für Verbundstrukturen beim im Betrieb befindlichen Flugzeug
1990
13 Seiten, 15 Bilder, 1 Tabelle
Conference paper
English
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