THERMAL WAVE IMAGING INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: N092-097

THERMAL WAVE IMAGING INC — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$1,924,352
Agency
Department of Defense · Navy
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase II
Topic
N092-097
Solicitation
2009.2
NAICS
Place of performance
MI
Period
2014-07-30 → 2018-11-15

Description

ABSTRACT In the previous Phase II program, TWI demonstrated that Large Standoff / Large Area Thermography (LASLAT) can successfully be applied to Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) of composite aircraft structures. The method employed was based on optical excitation using a novel projector and signal processing developed by TWI. Capability was demonstrated on a composite structure at a standoff distance of 12 ft. In Phase II.5, the concept will be refined and implemented for inspection in the maintenance hangar for inspection of V-22 prop-rotor blades. Improvements will include scan automation, the ability to teach the system a new inspection routine and additional capabilities for flaw detection and characterization. A general procedure for determining appropriate inspection parameters for a new inspection will be provided. Limits of detectability for materials and flaws of interest at a 10 ft. standoff distance will be determined through modeling and experiment. The system will be evaluated on V-22 aircraft at FRC East (Cherry Point, NC).