Designed to detect fatigue cracks without removing fasteners

KBR recently patented (US Patent 11,047,831) an ultrasonic crack detection apparatus and inspection method to offer a portable handheld inspection capability without removing fasteners from aircraft wings and fuselage. The uniquely designed ultrasonic probe assembly can detect cracks in either the faying or chamfered areas of the outer skin of aircraft. The highly focused ultrasonic beam operates at a frequency of 20 MHz and detects hidden fatigue cracks as small as 0.02 inch in length. The built-in miniature two-dimensional probe stage provides the capability of measuring the length of the crack from the fatigue crack initiation site to the end of the crack tip. This innovative user-friendly inspection tool is designed to inspect fastener holes noninvasively at a high rate to reduce maintenance costs and aircraft downtime.