US 11,747,127 B2
Tool for precise locating of fasteners under coatings
Keenan S. Rickless, Layton, UT (US); and Gary E. Georgeson, Tacoma, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/468,725.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/108,846, filed on Nov. 2, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0136815 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. G01B 5/25 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); G01B 5/28 (2006.01); B25J 19/02 (2006.01); G01B 5/14 (2006.01); G01R 1/067 (2006.01)
CPC G01B 5/14 (2013.01) [B25J 11/005 (2013.01); B25J 19/027 (2013.01); G01B 5/25 (2013.01); G01B 5/28 (2013.01); B25J 11/0055 (2013.01); G01R 1/06705 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49771 (2015.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for locating a fastener under a coating, the method comprising:
attaching a probe to a sensor head such that the probe is offset from an axis of rotation of the sensor head;
mounting the sensor head to a robotic platform;
moving the sensor head to successive sensor head positions overlying the coating;
rotating the sensor head about the axis of rotation at each successive sensor head position, thereby causing the probe to revolve along a circular path;
during each revolution, using the probe to generate sensor data signals which vary in dependence on a position of the probe relative to the fastener; and
locating the fastener when variation in the sensor data signals is less than a specified threshold.