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Results for “nondestructive measurement”

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Applications of Advanced Nondestructive Measurement Techniques to Address Safety of Flight Issues on NASA Spacecraft

Advanced nondestructive measurement techniques are critical for ensuring the reliability and safety of NASA spacecraft. Techniques such as infrared thermography, THz imaging, X-ray computed tomography and backscatter X-ray are used to detect indications of damage in spacecraft components and structures. Additionally, sensor and measurement systems are integrated into spacecraft to provide structural health monitoring to detect damaging events that occur during flight such as debris impacts during launch and assent or from micrometeoroid and orbital debris, or excessive loading due to anomalous flight conditions. A number of examples will be provided of how these nondestructive measurement techniques have been applied to resolve safety critical inspection concerns for the Space Shuttle, International Space Station (ISS), and a variety of launch vehicles and unmanned spacecraft.

Prosser, Bill↗
NASA NTRS1992

Nondestructive measurement of intensity of optical fields using spontaneous parametric down conversion

Results of nondestructive measurements of intensity (photons per mode) of light from different sources are discussed. The procedure of measurement does not destroy the state of the optical field. The method is based on using the second order nonlinearity of crystal media lacking a center of symmetry and the nonclassical properties of the process of Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC).

Penin, A. N.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Nondestructive measurement of capillary tube internal diameter

Technique provides nondestructive method of making quick, accurate determination by measuring electrical resistance of capillary tube when it is filled with electrolyte of known conductivity. Apparatus consists of conductivity cell and equipment for measuring resistance and for monitoring and controlling temperature.

Ho, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Apparatus for in-situ nondestructive measurement of Young's modulus of plate structures

A method and apparatus for determining stiffness of a plate-like structure including a monolithic or composite laminate plate entails disposing a device for generating an acoustical pulse against a surface of the plate and disposing a detecting device against the same surface spaced a known distance from the pulse-generating device, and using the pulse-generating device to emit a pulse so as to create an extensional wave in the plate. The detecting device is used to determine a time of flight of the wave over the known distance, and the wave velocity is calculated. A Young's modulus of the plate is determined by a processor based on the wave velocity. Methods and apparatus for evaluating both isotropic plates and anisotropic laminates are disclosed.

Huang, Jerry Qixin↗
NASA NTRS2003

Method for in-situ nondestructive measurement of Young's modulus of plate structures

A method for determining stiffness of a composite laminate plate entails disposing a device for generating an acoustical pulse against a surface of the plate and disposing a detecting device against the same surface spaced a known distance from the pulse-generating device, and using the pulse-generating device to emit a pulse so as to create an extensional wave in the plate. The detecting device is used to determine a time of flight of the wave over the known distance, and the wave velocity is calculated. A Young's modulus of the plate is determined based on the wave velocity. Methods for both anisotropic and quasi-isotropic laminates are disclosed.

Huang, Jerry Qixin↗
NASA NTRS1998

Experimental flight test vibration measurements and nondestructive inspection on a USCG HC-130H aircraft

This paper presents results of experimental flight test vibration measurements and structural inspections performed by the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Assurance NDI Validation Center (AANC) at Sandia National Laboratories and the US Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (ARSC). Structural and aerodynamic changes induced by mounting a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system on a USCG HC-130H aircraft are described. The FLIR adversely affected the air flow characteristics and structural vibration on the external skin of the aircraft's right main wheel well fairing. Upon initial discovery of skin cracking and visual observation of skin vibration in flight by the FLIR, a baseline flight without the FLIR was conducted and compared to other measurements with the FLIR installed. Nondestructive inspection procedures were developed to detect cracks in the skin and supporting structural elements and document the initial structural condition of the aircraft. Inspection results and flight test vibration data revealed that the FLIR created higher than expected flight loading and was the possible source of the skin cracking. The Coast Guard performed significant structural repair and enhancement on this aircraft, and additional in-flight vibration measurements were collected on the strengthened area both with and without the FLIR installed. After three months of further operational FLIR usage, the new aircraft skin with the enhanced structural modification was reinspected and found to be free of flaws. Additional US Coast Guard HC-130H aircraft are now being similarly modified to accommodate this FLIR system. Measurements of in- flight vibration levels with and without the FLIR installed, and both before and after the structural enhancement and repair were conducted on the skin and supporting structure in the aircraft's right main wheel fairing. Inspection results and techniques developed to verify the aircraft's structural integrity are discussed.

US COAST GUARD↗
NASA NTRS1984

Application of induction coil measurements to the study of superalloy hot corrosion and oxidation

The assessment of the degree of hot corrosion attack on nickel based alloys is a difficult task, especially when the definition specifies that it must be in terms of metal consumed and even more difficult if the measurement must be nondestructive. The inductance of a solenoid coil responds to changes in volume of fill and composition of metal cores, therefore, it may be used for nondestructive measurement of hot corrosion. The hot corrosion of U700 was studied at 900 C in a Mach 0.3 flame doped with 0.85 wppm of sodium. The change of inductance was found to define the known corrosion behavior and to suggest its use as a tool with predictive capabilities. Sufficient sensitivity exists to detect oxidation of this alloy at 900 C.

Deadmore, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Nondestructive Strain Measurement System Used to Determine Surface Strain on Fibers

Small-diameter structural fibers are being considered as reinforcements for high temperature ceramic matrix composite materials, and thus they require characterization. At the NASA Lewis Research Center, a nondestructive optical technique was used to determine surface strain on a structural fiber, in real time, as it was pulled in a tensile test machine. With this technique, interference or speckle patterns from the laser illuminated fiber test specimen are recorded. As the fiber is pulled, its speckle pattern shifts in proportion to the strain, translation, and rotation components of the sample deformation. Shifting speckle patterns are detected in real time by two linear charge-coupled discharge (CCD) camera arrays, and the images are processed by a hardware correlator. Surface strain is selectively detected on fibers with diameters on the order of 100 mm and can be resolved to 19 microstrain. This system was designed to be robust and compact and generally does not require surface preparation of the structural fibers. For strain detection, two laser beams are positioned incident on the structural fiber being tested, as shown in the photograph, where the test specimen is mounted in a tensile test machine via two coupons. As the fiber is pulled, the speckle pattern produced from each laser beam is detected by one of two CCD arrays located inside the tube on the right side of the photograph.

Tuma, Margaret L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The influence of steel roughness and granulation on the accuracy of part thickness measurement by means of ultrasounds

Nondestructive measurement of the thickness of one-sided parts can be successfully conducted with the aid of ultrasounds. Using an ultrasonic defectoscope equipped with a highly precise device for thickness measurement, the experimental results obtained and the parameters that influence them are discussed. It is known that the manner of attaching the probe to the surface to be tested is influenced by the roughness of the surface. Likewise, in view of the fact that measurement results are influenced by the velocity of ultrasounds in the material to be investigated, they are also conditioned by the size of the structure. These factors and the manner in which they influence measurement results are also described.

Sontea, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Nondestructive ultrasonic measurement of bolt preload using the pulsed-phase locked-loop interferometer

Achieving accurate preload in threaded fasteners is an important and often critical problem which is encountered in nearly all sectors of government and industry. Conventional tensioning methods which rely on torque carry with them the disadvantage of requiring constant friction in the fastener in order to accurately correlate torque to preload. Since most of the applied torque typically overcomes friction rather than tensioning the fastener, small variations in friction can cause large variations in preload. An instrument called a pulsed phase locked loop interferometer, which was recently developed at NASA Langley, has found widespread use for measurement of stress as well as material properties. When used to measure bolt preload, this system detects changes in the fastener length and sound velocity which are independent of friction. The system is therefore capable of accurately establishing the correct change in bolt tension. This high resolution instrument has been used for precision measurement of preload in critical fasteners for numerous applications such as the space shuttle landing gear and helicopter main rotors.

Allison, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Non-destructive ultrasonic measurements of case depth

Two ultrasonic methods for nondestructive measurements of the depth of a case-hardened layer in steel are described. One method involves analysis of ultrasonic waves diffused back from the bulk of the workpiece. The other method involves finding the speed of propagation of ultrasonic waves launched on the surface of the work. Procedures followed in the two methods for measuring case depth are described.

Flambard, C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

System Measures Loads In Bolts

Improved technique for ultrasonic nondestructive measurement of loads in bolts involves use of pulsed phase-locked loop interferometer. Provides for correction of errors and for automatic readout of loads in bolts. Actual bolt load measured, using transducers rebonded after bolts tightened. Calibration block and thermometer added. Technique applicable to critical fasteners in aerospace applications, nuclear reactors, petroleum and other chemical processing plants, steel bridges, and other structures.

Allison, Sidney G.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Nondestructive method for measuring residual stresses in metals, a concept

Nondestructive direct measurement of residual surface stresses in metals can be made because metal under stress has a different electrochemical solution potential than in the unstressed condition. The method uses two matched electrolytic cells to cancel extraneous effects on the actual solution potential of the metal specimen.

Schwebel, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Quantitative Ultrasonic Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Engineering Materials

Progress in the application of ultrasonic techniques to nondestructive measurement of mechanical strength of engineering materials is reviewed. A dormant concept in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is invoked. The availability of ultrasonic methods that can be applied to actual parts to assess their potential susceptibility to failure under design conditions is discussed. It was shown that ultrasonic methods yield measurements of elastic moduli, microstructure, hardness, fracture toughness, tensile strength, yield strength, and shear strength for a wide range of materials (including many types of metals, ceramics, and fiber composites). It was also indicated that although most of these methods were shown feasible in laboratory studies, more work is needed before they can be used on actual parts in processing, assembly, inspection, and maintenance lines.

Vary, A.↗