Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:26:13.706Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Electronic X-Ray Systems For Field Aircraft Inspection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

K. M. Gibbs
Affiliation:
Industrial Quality, Inc., 640 E. Diamond Ave., Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20877–5323
H. Berger
Affiliation:
Industrial Quality, Inc., 640 E. Diamond Ave., Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20877–5323
T. S. Jones
Affiliation:
Industrial Quality, Inc., 640 E. Diamond Ave., Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20877–5323
M. Davis
Affiliation:
Air Force NDI Program Office, 485 Quentin Roosevelt Rd., Kelly AFB, TX 78241
Get access

Abstract

Selected electronic, digital x-ray imaging systems and techniques were evaluated as possible replacements for the use of x-ray film at Air Force field aircraft maintenance facilities. Incentives for the introduction of digital systems include the elimination of recurring costs of film, processing, and waste disposal, and the advantages of electronic data analysis, digital signal processing, and the ease of storage, retrieval, and transfer of digital data. Initial experimental evaluations included photostimulable storage phosphors, scintillator-camera systems, flat panel imagers and the reverse geometry method. The technical evaluations were conducted with a test object consisting of typical honeycomb structure containing various faults, line pair gages, and image quality indicators on ¼–inch aluminum. Several electronic systems were capable of meeting most of the technical requirements for x-ray inspection, with system prices attractive for field locations with annual film costs in the range of $15,000 or more. All the electronic methods eliminate processing chemicals and offer advantages in certain applications. However, the storage phosphor systems were particularly well suited for field implementation because of their similarity to film, but without most of the recurring costs and the environmental problems associated with the use of film. These evaluations were conducted under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I program. More extensive system evaluations are planned as the program continues into an SBIR Phase II project.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Luckey, G., U.S. Patent No. 3 859 527 (1975, Revised 1985).Google Scholar
2. Johnston, R. F., Pickett, S. C., and Barker, D. L., Electrophoresis 11, 355360 (1990).Google Scholar
3. Wysnewski, D. and Wysnewski, R., in Computed Radiography in NDE of Aging Aircraft. Airports, Aerospace Hardware and Materials, edited by T., Cordell and R., Rempt, (SPIE 2455, 1995) pp. 125132.Google Scholar
4. Cevallo, G. and Kinsells, T., Materials Evaluation 54 (10), 1102 (1996).Google Scholar
5. Bueno, C., Barker, M. D., Condon, P.E., and Betz, R. A., Report No. WL-TR-92–4003, Air Force Wright Laboratories, WPAFB, OH, 1992.Google Scholar
6. Polichar, R., Report No. AFWAL-TR-86–4061, Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories, WPAFB, OH, 1986.Google Scholar
7. Antonuk, L. E., Photonics Spectra 29 (6), 108116 (1995).Google Scholar
8. Anderson, A. E., presented at the 1996 ASNT Fall Conference.Google Scholar
9. Lee, D. L., Cheung, L. K., Palecki, E. F., and Jeromin, L. S., SPIE 2708, 511522 (1996).Google Scholar
10. Albert, R. D. and Albert, T. M., Materials Evaluation 51 (12), 13501352 (1993).Google Scholar
11. Wojcik, R., Kross, B., Majewski, L., Majewski, S., Weisenberger, A. G., Zorn, C., Birt, E. A., Parker, F. R., Winfree, W. P., Albert, R. D., Albert, T. M., Nuclear Instruments –311 (1994).Google Scholar