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Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
High Resolution Millimeter Wave Detection Of Vertical Cracks In The Space Shuttle External Tank Spray-On-Foam Insulation (Sofi), Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, F. L. Hepburn
High Resolution Millimeter Wave Detection Of Vertical Cracks In The Space Shuttle External Tank Spray-On-Foam Insulation (Sofi), Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, F. L. Hepburn
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Space Shuttle Columbia's catastrophic failure, the separation of a piece of spray-on-foam insulation (SOFI) from the external tank (ET) in the Space Shuttle Discovery's flight in 2005 and crack detected in its ET foam prior to its successful launch in 2006 emphasize the need for effective nondestructive methods for inspecting the shuttle ET SOFI. Millimeter wave nondestructive testing methods have been considered as potential and effective inspection tools for evaluating the integrity of the SOFI. This paper presents recent results of an investigation for the purpose of detecting vertical cracks in SOFI panels using a focused millimeter wave (150 GHz) …
Microwave Quantitative Nde Technique For Dielectric Slab Thickness Estimation Using The Music Algorithm, Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, R. Zoughi
Microwave Quantitative Nde Technique For Dielectric Slab Thickness Estimation Using The Music Algorithm, Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, R. Zoughi
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Non-invasive monitoring of dielectric slab thickness is of great interest in various industrial applications. This paper focuses on estimating the thickness of dielectric slabs, and consequently monitoring their variations, utilizing wideband microwave signals and the MUtiple SIgnal Characterization (MUSIC) algorithm. The performance of the proposed approach is assessed by validating simulation results with laboratory experiments. The results clearly indicate the utility of this overall approach for accurate dielectric slab thickness evaluation.
Millimeter-Wave Detection Of Localized Anomalies In The Space Shuttle External Fuel Tank Insulating Foam, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, J. T. Case, Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, F. L. Hepburn
Millimeter-Wave Detection Of Localized Anomalies In The Space Shuttle External Fuel Tank Insulating Foam, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, J. T. Case, Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, F. L. Hepburn
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
The Space Shuttle Columbia's catastrophic accident emphasizes the growing need for developing and applying effective, robust, and life-cycle-oriented nondestructive testing (NDT) methods for inspecting the shuttle external fuel tank spray on foam insulation (SOFI). Millimeter-wave NDT techniques were one of the methods chosen for evaluating their potential for inspecting these structures. Several panels with embedded anomalies (mainly voids) were produced and tested for this purpose. Near-field and far-field millimeter-wave NDT methods were used for producing images of the anomalies in these panels. This paper presents the results of an investigation for the purpose of detecting localized anomalies in several SOFI …
Inspection Of Spray On Foam Insulation (Sofi) Using Microwave And Millimeter Wave Synthetic Aperture Focusing And Holography, Joseph Toby Case, Frank L. Hepburn, R. Zoughi
Inspection Of Spray On Foam Insulation (Sofi) Using Microwave And Millimeter Wave Synthetic Aperture Focusing And Holography, Joseph Toby Case, Frank L. Hepburn, R. Zoughi
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
The Space Shuttle Columbia's catastrophic failure is thought to have been caused by a dislodged piece of external tank spray on foam insulation (SOFI) striking and significantly damaging the left wing of the orbiter, which may have been due to a flawed section of SOFI. Microwave and millimeter wave nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods have shown great potential detecting anomalies in SOFI such as small air voids using a horn and lens in a (real) focused configuration. Synthetic focusing methods may also be used to detect air voids in SOFI and may additionally offer the ability to locate the defect in …
Millimeter Wave Imaging Of Corrosion Under Paint: Comparison Of Two Probes, Mohammad Tayeb Ahmad Ghasr, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, Matthew O'Keefe, Ajay Padwal, Donald D. Palmer
Millimeter Wave Imaging Of Corrosion Under Paint: Comparison Of Two Probes, Mohammad Tayeb Ahmad Ghasr, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, Matthew O'Keefe, Ajay Padwal, Donald D. Palmer
Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Critical aircraft structures are susceptible to harsh environmental conditions that cause corrosion of these structural components. It is of great importance to detect corrosion under paint, particularly in its early stages. Millimeter wave nondestructive evaluation methods have shown great potential for detecting corrosion under paint and evaluating its properties. This paper presents and compares the results of using two distinct millimeter wave detection methods; namely a standard single probe and a newly developed differential probe for detecting corrosion under paint.