Deep Focus, Multi-Zone Inspection Capability for Automated Acoustic Microscope Inspections in the Field

Aging and newer composite aircraft fleets have led to the need for advanced damage detection systems. Inspections for damage in the field are limited due to equipment capability, size/weight, automation challenges, human error and disassembly issues. A portable, lightweight, robust inspection system powered by an user-friendly, automated software system, with remote scanning capability, could improve the current field inspection challenges faced today. OKOS Solutions proposes an advanced inspection capability that has the potential to provide significant improvement in composite and metallic damage detection in the Field/Depot level environment through patented “lensing” of the acoustic signal. This could provide for a significant increase in the depth of field scanned, in a single scan in materials; along with an increase in the resolution of the return information. The technology could potentially remove the inherent issues with multiple scanning and errors associated with repositioning, as the single Deep Focus/Multi-Zone scan would have a single reference with all “layers” of the scans within one data base. The developed OKOS software technology is designed to effectively “peel” away the layers within a single scan, within the scanned volume of material, and be fully automated. Operator set-up and knowledge are minimized for an effective inspection.