Development of a Laser-Based System for the Detection of Flaws in Solid Rocket Motors.

Abstract : Solid rocket motors are often stored for long periods of time, frequently under extreme environmental conditions. Thermal cycling and aging can induce internal flaws, such as cracking and slumping, that can lead to catastrophic failures, often resulting in significant loss of property and even loss of life. This report summarizes the results of the Phase I study to develop a lightweight, portable, and rugged system that is capable of conducting automated inspections of solid rocket motors for these types of internal flaws. The Solid Rocket Motor Inspection System will employ noncontacting, low-power, laser-based sensor technology to rapidly obtain accurate and quantitative data that is then generated into a three-dimensional map of the motor inside surfaces. The fundamental system design is based on a field-proven, laser-based inspection technology that has been used in similar systems delivered to the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. The resulting remote inspection system provides a cost-effective solution to current inspection problems and has direct extensions to commercial nondestructive evaluation applications.