Laser-based ultrasonic inspection with a fiber-coupled scanning Cassegrain system

State-of-the-art integrally stiffened composite materials, manufactured for use in the next generation of commercial and military aircraft, are increasingly being used for structural components such as wings and fuselages. However, the complexity of the manufacturing processes can produce small variations in the shape of integrally stiffened composite structures. Thus, a priori knowledge of the nominal part shape often does not provide sufficient accuracy to allow an automated conventional ultrasonic inspection. In contrast, automated inspections of integrally stiffened structures can be performed using laser-based ultrasound techniques since a priori knowledge of the nominal part shape is adequate to scan the laser beams over the structure. This paper addresses the issues associated with the extension of laser-based ultrasonics to inspections in remote and limited access areas, and describes the implementation of a fiber-based remote and limited access LBU inspection system based upon a Cassegrain scanning and optical collection system. The ability to quickly and directly manipulate flexible low mass optical fibers equipped with specialized endoscopic scanning optics make fiber systems an attractive method for the development of limited and remote access inspection systems. The Cassegrain optical system is described in detail and both numerical and experimental validation of the system operational characteristics are presented.