Robotic inspection devices for simultaneous surface measurements at multiple orientations

{
  "publication_number": "US12061173B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Robotic inspection devices for simultaneous surface measurements at multiple orientations",
  "abstract": "Robotic inspection devices for simultaneous surface measurements at multiple orientations are described. An example inspection device includes a robot and a first payload, where the robot is structured to move along an inspection surface in a first direction of travel. The first payload includes a first inspection assembly structured to support two phased array elements. The first phased array element has a first surface orientation and a first directional orientation, and the second phased array element has a second surface orientation and a second directional orientation. A raster device is structured to move the first inspection assembly in a second direction of travel along the inspection surface, wherein the first direction of travel and the second direction of travel are different.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An inspection device, the device comprising: a robot structured to move in a first direction of travel along an inspection surface; and a first payload supported by the robot, the first payload comprising: a first inspection assembly structured to support: a first phased array element at a first surface orientation, wherein the first surface orientation is relative to the inspection surface, the first phased array element having a first directional orientation, wherein the first directional orientation is relative to a direction of travel of the robot; and a second phased array element at a second surface orientation, wherein the second surface orientation is relative to the inspection surface, the second phased array element having a second directional orientation, wherein the second directional orientation is relative to the direction of travel of the robot; and a raster device structured to move the first inspection assembly in a second direction of travel along the inspection surface, wherein the first direction of travel and the second direction of travel are different, wherein the first inspection assembly includes a first pivot connection to the raster device such that the first inspection assembly, the first phased array element, and the second phased array element each rotate around the first pivot connection.",
    "2. The inspection device of claim 1, wherein the first surface orientation is distinct from the second surface orientation.",
    "3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first surface orientation comprises an angle between +5° and −5°, inclusive, relative to the inspection surface.",
    "4. The device of claim 3, wherein the second surface orientation comprises an angle between 40° and 50°, inclusive, relative to the inspection surface.",
    "5. The device of claim 3, wherein the second surface orientation comprises an angle between 30° and 60°, inclusive, relative to the inspection surface.",
    "6. The device of claim 3, wherein the second surface orientation comprises an angle between 30° and 75°, inclusive, relative to the inspection surface.",
    "7. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second phased array elements inspect a common location on the inspection surface.",
    "8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first inspection assembly further comprises an acoustic barrier at a third surface orientation, the acoustic barrier positioned between the first phased array element and the second phased array element.",
    "9. The device of claim 8, wherein the third surface orientation is between the first surface orientation and the second surface orientation.",
    "10. The device of claim 1, wherein further comprising a tether fluidly coupled to a couplant source at a first end and to the robot at a second end.",
    "11. The device of claim 10, wherein the tether further comprises a data connection between a local inspection computing device and the robot.",
    "12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first inspection assembly further comprises a couplant connection fluidly coupled to the robot, and wherein the first phased array element and the second phased array element are UT sensors.",
    "13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first directional orientation and the second directional orientation are within 10°.",
    "14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first directional orientation is approximately longitudinal to the direction of travel.",
    "15. The device of claim 1, wherein the first payload further comprises a second inspection assembly.",
    "16. The device of claim 15, wherein the raster device is further structured to move the first and second inspection assemblies in unison.",
    "17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first inspection assembly and the second inspection assembly are separated by a distance between 2-8 inches, inclusive, along the first payload.",
    "18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a time of flight sensor.",
    "19. The device of claim 1, the first inspection assembly further including: a linking component including the first pivot connection to the raster device; a first sensor holder connected to the linking component via a first sensor holder pivot connection and structured to support the first phased array element; and a second sensor holder connected to the linking component via a second sensor holder pivot connection and structured to support the second phased array element.",
    "20. A method, comprising: moving an inspection device in a first direction of travel along an inspection surface, wherein the inspection device includes a robot and a payload supported by the robot, and the payload includes: a first inspection assembly structured to support: a first phased array element at a first surface orientation, wherein the first surface orientation is relative to the inspection surface, the first phased array element having a first directional orientation, wherein the first directional orientation is relative to a direction of travel of the robot; and a second phased array element at a second surface orientation, wherein the second surface orientation is relative to the inspection surface, the second phased array element having a second directional orientation, wherein the second directional orientation is relative to the direction of travel of the robot; and moving, by a raster device, the first inspection assembly in a second direction of travel along the inspection surface, wherein the first direction of travel and the second direction of travel are different; and causing each of the first inspection assembly, the first phased array element, and the second phased array element to rotate around a same pivot connection.",
    "21. The method of claim 20, wherein the same pivot connection is between the first inspection assembly and the raster device.",
    "22. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload further comprises a second inspection assembly, and the method further comprises: moving, by the raster device, the first inspection assembly and the second inspection assembly in unison."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to robotic inspection and treatment of industrial surfaces.\n\nPreviously known inspection and treatment systems for industrial surfaces suffer from a number of drawbacks. Industrial surfaces are often required to be inspected to determine whether a pipe wall, tank surface, or other industrial surface feature has suffered from corrosion, degradation, loss of a coating, damage, wall thinning or wear, or other undesirable aspects. Industrial surfaces are often present within a hazardous location - for example in an environment with heavy operating equipment, operating at high temperatures, in a confined environment, at a high elevation, in the presence of high voltage electricity, in the presence of toxic or noxious gases, in the presence of corrosive liquids, and/or in the presence of operating equipment that is dangerous to personnel. Accordingly, presently known systems require that a system be shutdown, that a system be operated at a reduced capacity, that stringent safety procedures be followed (e.g., lockout/tagout, confined space entry procedures, harnessing, etc.), and/or that personnel are exposed to hazards even if proper procedures are followed. Additionally, the inconvenience, hazards, and/or confined spaces of personnel entry into inspection areas can result in inspections that are incomplete, of low resolution, that lack systematic coverage of the inspected area, and/or that are prone to human error and judgement in determining whether an area has been properly inspected.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01N 29/265",
    "G01N 2291/0289",
    "G01N 2291/106",
    "G01N 2291/267",
    "G01N 29/04",
    "G01N 29/043",
    "G01N 29/07",
    "G01N 29/225",
    "G01N 29/262"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G01N 29/04",
    "G01N 29/265"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Gecko Robotics Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Chase David",
    "Jose Aparicio",
    "Juan Roberto Mendoza Mora",
    "Kevin Y. Low"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-05-25",
  "publication_date": "2024-08-13",
  "grant_date": "2024-08-13",
  "priority_date": "2021-04-22",
  "application_number": "US-202217824261-A",
  "family_id": "83694030",
  "cited_by_count": 13,
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