Ultrasound World V (2009)

Ultrasound World V Program Abstracts

Abstract:  Pneumatics is utilized in many areas of commercial aircraft ranging from engines to air-conditioning to heating.  Leaks can create inefficiencies that waste fuel and may also pose safety issues.  It is therefore essential to identify leaks and repair them.  This presentation will explain how ultrasound is used to locate leaks in various aircraft components.   Details as to what causes leaks, where they most often occur, challenges with complex systems in small spaces, methods of typical leak indications, how ultrasound compares with temperature/thermal imaging devices and the future of ultrasound at Northwest Airlines will also be discussed.

Bio:  William J. Tripplett, Project Engineer, Northwest Airlines, Inc.
For the past ten years Bill has been involved with aircraft engineering including structures and systems.  Currently he is the project engineer for Northwest Airlines DC9 Engineering.  His responsibilities include aircraft system pneumatics, air conditioning, pressurization, oxygen, ice and rain protection.  In addition Bill develops aircraft modification projects to improve system reliability, trouble shoots aircraft out of service issues and investigates operational difficulty incidents.  Bill has also developed and implemented repairs for both flight line and heavy check line aircraft.  He has experience on the Airbus A319/320 and A 330, Boeing 747-200, 747-400, 747 Freighter as well as the Douglas DC-d and DC-10.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science: Aero Manufacturing Engineering from North Dakota State University and is FAA licensed as an  Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Aircraft Mechanic.