Wireless Remote Expert NDE System and Method for Fielded Military and Commercial Aircraft

摘要

Imperium and Boeing have successfully demonstrated the ability to remotely control the Acoustocam with a wireless network and view its display screen in real time. The purpose of the demonstration was to show the capability of utilizing the device by a non-specialized user while being monitored by a nondestructive testing expert off-site. The demonstration was performed with the Acoustocam in a hangar environment and monitored in real time at an off-site facility. Remote sessions will be shown for both military and commercial trials where the operator of the inspection device is at one location and the expert monitoring the inspection at another. Since there is a shortage of trained nondestructive inspection (NDI) specialists in the field, this could potentially address the concern of composite airframe operators for a quick simple method to detect internal damage. For example, if there were a need to inspect the composite structure at an airport terminal, a line mechanic could perform the inspection while guided by the expert in real time who may be thousands of miles away. The quantitative decision making necessary is performed by the remote expert. These findings will help to alleviate the shortage of trained NDI personnel.