3D Laser Cable Scanning for Damage Mapping and Repair Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting damages in high voltage and medium voltage cables lack a comprehensive three-dimensional assessment, making it difficult to evaluate the extent of damage and ensure the quality of repairs, relying on manual measurements and limited digital tools.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a non-contact 3D surface scanner to capture and store 3D surface geometry measurement data, allowing for the evaluation of damages and merging of data to create a full 3D map of the cable, enabling on-site go/no go criteria and remote expert evaluation, with data stored for future reference and health checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement tools and photographic evidence are used for damage assessment, then the inspection process is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and three-dimensional assessment capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement tools with a 3D surface scanner that uses optical fields (laser lines) to capture surface geometry. This substitution enables automatic, precise three-dimensional measurement of cable surfaces and damage areas, eliminating the need for manual measurements while providing comprehensive spatial assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the cable surface and damage areas through scanning. This digital replica allows for precise measurement, analysis, and documentation of damage geometry without physically touching or disturbing the cable, providing accurate three-dimensional assessment data for evaluation and repair planning.
2Measurement precision
If layers are removed bit by bit to assess damage extent, then the damage evaluation becomes more accurate, but the inspection time and loss of cable material increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3D scanning of the cable surface before any dissection or material removal occurs. This preliminary action captures the complete geometry and extent of damage non-invasively, allowing accurate damage assessment without the need to progressively remove layers, thereby saving both time and cable material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of layer removal with optical scanning technology. The 3D surface scanner captures damage geometry through non-contact measurement, providing accurate damage extent evaluation without physically disturbing the cable structure, thus eliminating time loss and material waste associated with progressive dissection.
3Loss of information
If dissection and disassembly are performed without three-dimensional assessment, then the inspection process is straightforward, but the ability to assess damage extent and remaining healthy components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a comprehensive digital 3D model that copies the complete geometry of the cable and its damage areas. This digital replica preserves all spatial information about damage extent, location, and surrounding healthy components, providing a full three-dimensional assessment that guides dissection and repair processes while maintaining complete documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D scanning system serves multiple functions: it assesses damage extent, identifies remaining healthy components, documents the cable geometry before dissection, and provides data for repair planning. This multi-functional approach comprehensively captures all necessary information without requiring separate inspection procedures.
4Manufacturing precision
If repair quality is assessed without three-dimensional measurement, then the repair process is simpler, but the ability to verify whether repaired product meets acceptance criteria is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital 3D copies of both the original damage areas and the repaired regions. By comparing these digital models, the system precisely verifies whether the repair meets acceptance criteria, ensuring manufacturing precision through objective three-dimensional measurement and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D scanning system provides feedback on repair quality by comparing the repaired cable geometry against acceptance criteria. This feedback mechanism enables objective verification of repair success, allowing adjustments to be made if the repair does not meet specifications, thereby ensuring high manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate 3D tracking of geometries during repair, ensuring the quality of cable systems and providing valuable data for future health checks and physics-based digital twin models, improving the assessment and repair processes.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact surface scanner, for capturing a continuous 3D surface geometry measurement of a section of interest of the cable by moving a non-contact surface scanner about the cable over an area of interest of the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and system for inspecting damages to high voltage and/or medium voltage cables or cable components. The method and system captures and stores a set of 3-dimensional (3D) surface geometry measurement data of the area of interest of a surface of the cable or cable component by moving a 3D surface scanner about the cable over the area of interest, the captured 3D surface from step a) is inspected to evaluate if any damages are present, and if the inspection reveals a damage, a section of the cable body is removed. Steps a) to c) can be repeated until no damage is revealed and a 3D map of the damage can be provided.