US 12,092,581 B2
Laser bond inspection system and method
Steven K. Brady, Renton, WA (US); and Marc J. Piehl, Renton, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/532,351.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/127,126, filed on Dec. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0196563 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 21/88 (2006.01); G02B 26/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/88 (2013.01) [G02B 26/0816 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A laser bond inspection system for inspecting a part, the laser bond inspection system comprising:
a high-power laser, configured to generate a high-power laser beam having a high energy;
a low-power laser, configured to generate a low-power laser beam having a low energy that is less than the high energy;
a target patch, configured to be affixed to the part;
a beam-aiming optic, configured to receive the low-power laser beam from the low-power laser and redirect the low-power laser beam at the target patch when the target patch is affixed to the part; and
an optical sensor, configured to detect a reflected portion of the low-power laser beam reflected off of the target patch;
wherein the beam-aiming optic is further configured to receive the high-power laser beam from the high-power laser and redirect the high-power laser beam at the target patch.