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Repair of structures using unmanned aerial vehicles

A technology of unmanned aerial vehicles and maintenance modules, which is applied in the field of structural inspection and maintenance, and can solve problems such as the economic impact of aircraft operators

Pending Publication Date: 2021-08-06
THE BOEING CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Aircraft may be grounded and taken out of service for delivery or towed to a maintenance base, with significant economic impact on aircraft operators

Method used

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  • Repair of structures using unmanned aerial vehicles
  • Repair of structures using unmanned aerial vehicles
  • Repair of structures using unmanned aerial vehicles

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment approach

[0094] According to one embodiment, the UAV 2 also includes a UAV body frame 4 and an arm 3, such as Figure 3A shown. One end of arm 3 is connected to UAV body frame 4, and the other end is connected to Figure 7 Applicator head 64 is shown. In addition, the flight controller 39 of the UAV 2 is used to control the operation of the rotor motors 12 so that the UAV 2 flies along a straight path parallel to the surface of the structure 9, more specifically parallel to the intended path of the applicator roller 78 for laying the adhesive tape 11 , while maintaining the pressure exerted by the application roller 78 on the surface 9 within a specified range. Optionally, the UAV 2 may be equipped with frame members having slides at the ends for enabling the UAV 2 to skim along the surface 9 while rolling the applicator roller 78, as in Figure 7 indicated by the arrow in . In alternative embodiments, the tape may have a paste adhesive backing or a hardened gel-type adhesive, in whi...

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Abstract

The invention relates to repair of structures using unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular to methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (2). The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable / removable module (20, 90) that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface (9) of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool (70a-c, 72) is configured to adhere a tape (11) to the damage site.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to inspection and repair of structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for in-service repairs of inaccessible or restricted access structures. Background technique [0002] Individually, human-based in-service repair of large structures and different types of large objects can be time-consuming, expensive, and difficult. Examples of large structures that pose significant maintenance challenges include wind turbine blades, aircraft fuselages and wings, rockets and satellites, storage tanks, bridges, dams, levees, power plants, power lines or grids, water treatment facilities; oil refineries, Chemical processing plants, high-rise buildings, and infrastructure associated with electric trains and monorail support structures. [0003] More specifically, materials and structures employed in the aerospace industry and elsewhere may require periodic repair f...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B64D1/18
CPCB64D1/18B64U50/19B64U2101/30B64U10/13B64U20/87B64U30/29B64F5/40G06Q10/20B05D3/0254B05D5/005B05B14/30B05B1/28B05B9/035G06Q10/06315B05D1/02B05D3/0493B05D3/067Y02B10/30B64C39/024B64U30/20B64U2101/00
Inventor G·E·乔治森J·J·特洛伊S·R·戈茨J·L·哈芬里希特G·J·斯威尔斯
Owner THE BOEING CO
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