The goal of this project is to reduce the cost and duration of submarine hull coating inspection, a significant factor in overall submarine availability to the fleet. We are developing and testing appropriate system-specific algorithms, software, and sonar systems, and developing an engineering integration plan for in-water submarine hull coating delamination detection. An in-water inspection/detection system will yield significant cost savings and risk mitigation for the Navy. Our approach is fundamentally different from existing Navy approaches to delamination detection, in both the physical phenomena used and in the operational sense. We are using the mechanical and acoustic wave physics demonstrated by NUWC Newport to develop excitation modes, waveforms, and signal discrimination technology which is effective underwater. We believe that this technology will ultimately be adaptable to a rapid scan process using a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle. Current Navy inspection methods rely on either manual impact testing, or electromagnetic imaging. Neither of the Navy's current approaches can be used underwater, and neither takes advantage of the wave physics of laminated structures. Moreover, our approach uses the MIRK (Material Identification Reflectivity Kernel) technology to develop signal features which can be detected in real time.
展开▼
