Hien T Bui

US Patent:

7415882, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Dec 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/311797

Inventors:

Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
Fred D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US
Michael J. Duncan - Sumner WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G01N 9/24

US Classification:

73634

Abstract:

An apparatus for the ultrasonic testing of internal areas of prefabricated composite assemblies as described. The composite assemblies have one or more internal areas formed therein. The apparatus includes at least one receive transducer, at least one transmit transducer, a vertical member, a support member slidably attached to the vertical member, a pair of substantially parallel hollow rods, and an ultrasonic testing system. Each rod comprises a transducer attachment end with receive transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a first rod, and transmit transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a second rod. The rods are slidably attached to the support member and manually movable with respect to a composite assembly to be tested. The ultrasonic testing system is coupled to the receive transducers through the first rod, and coupled to the transmit transducers through the second rod.

US Patent:

7444876, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Aug 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/213652

Inventors:

Dennis P. Sarr - Kent WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73618, 73620, 73635, 73641

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which use a sensor holder constructed from rapid prototyping, such as stereolithography, and which is configured to support one or more linear inspection sensors. Rapid prototype integrated linear ultrasonic transducer inspection apparatus, systems, and methods provide fast and efficient methods of constructing custom inspection devices.

US Patent:

7464596, Dec 16, 2008

Filed:

Jun 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/477686

Inventors:

Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US
Fred D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US
Richard C. Krotzer - Enumclaw WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73618, 73620, 73633, 738665

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.

US Patent:

7617732, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Mar 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/368557

Inventors:

Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US
Dennis P. Sarr - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73618, 73620, 73635, 73641

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which use a sensor holder, which is configured to support one or more curved linear inspection sensors and may be constructed from rapid prototyping, such as stereolithography. Integrated curved linear ultrasonic transducer inspection apparatus, systems, and methods provide fast and efficient methods of constructing custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect curved radius features of structures, such as a corner of a hat stringer.

US Patent:

7644618, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

Oct 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/925193

Inventors:

Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
William O. Walters - Seattle WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/26

US Classification:

73632, 73633, 73636, 73640

Abstract:

A method of inspecting a radius area of composite parts with an ultrasonic inspection system, the system includes at least one ultrasonic probe, an upper sliding surface, a lower sliding surface, an adjustable guide rail, and an adjustable encoder wheel rotatably coupled to a rotary encoder, is provided. The method includes generating a high frequency sound wave using the probe including a radius of curvature extending from a center point, the sound wave travels partially through the part, adjusting the guide rail to align the center point of the probe with a center axis of a part corner portion, sliding the part through the inspection system to inspect the corner portion using the sound wave by rotating the wheel and rotary encoder such that the arcuate distance of the part is recorded, adjusting the wheel to avoid any apertures defined within the part, and processing the sound wave information.

US Patent:

7690259, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Nov 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/263537

Inventors:

Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US
Fred D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US
Richard C. Krotzer - Enumclaw WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/26
G01N 29/28

US Classification:

73625, 73620, 73640, 73641, 73644, 738665

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.

US Patent:

7836768, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Feb 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/038670

Inventors:

Fred D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Clyde T. Uyehara - Kent WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/00

US Classification:

73620

Abstract:

An ultrasonic probe performs non-destructive inspection of a corner radius of a part. According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic sensor array, and a shoe for holding the sensor array and moving the sensor array along the radius of the part. The shoe includes means for adjusting the sensor array so all ultrasonic beams from the sensor array have the same water path distance to a center of the radius, and for adjusting the sensor array so that all beams pass through the center of the radius.

US Patent:

7975549, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Jun 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/765131

Inventors:

Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73626, 73628, 73644

Abstract:

A non-destructive inspection method, apparatus and system are provided for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature. The apparatus, such as an inspection probe, includes a plurality of transducer elements positioned in an arcuate configuration having a predefined radius of curvature and a curved delay line. The curved delay line has an outer arcuate surface having a predefined radius of curvature that matches the predefined radius of curvature of the transducer elements. The curved delay line also has an inner arcuate surface that has at least one predefined radius of curvature that matches the at least one predefined radius of curvature of the curved surface of the workpiece. In addition to the inspection probe, the system includes an excitative source for triggering the transducer elements to emit signals into the workpiece and a computing device to receive the return signals.