Aircraft Damage Indication Using Sensor Arrays and Severity Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts face challenges in promptly and accurately assessing damage, such as foreign object damage or internal component detachment, which can hinder flight deck crew's ability to take decisive action during emergencies due to limited information availability.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that utilize a sensor array and controller to receive data from various sensors, determine the location and effect of damage on aircraft performance, and provide detailed information to operators through output devices, including displays, to enhance damage assessment and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detailed damage assessment systems are implemented, then information accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damage assessment system is segmented into multiple independent sensor types (acoustic sensors for impact detection, vibration sensors for structural analysis, temperature sensors for thermal damage) that independently monitor different aspects of potential damage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive damage assessment accuracy while maintaining modular complexity that can be managed and scaled independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to perform diverse damage assessment tasks including real-time data processing from multiple sensor types, pattern recognition for different damage types (foreign object damage, structural damage, thermal damage), and adaptive threshold adjustment. This universal controller consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
2Loss of time
If real-time damage information is provided to flight deck crew, then response time is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing damage thresholds and response protocols for different damage scenarios. The controller is pre-programmed with damage assessment algorithms and response guidelines that are activated automatically upon sensor detection, enabling immediate real-time information provision to flight deck crew without requiring complex real-time decision processing during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors sensor data, compares it against predefined thresholds, and automatically adjusts assessment parameters based on detected patterns. This feedback loop enables the system to provide accurate real-time damage information while reducing processing complexity through adaptive threshold adjustment and automated pattern recognition rather than requiring exhaustive real-time analysis of all parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving data indicating an occurrence of damage to an aircraft and severity of the damage; determining information to present to an operator of the aircraft using the received data, the information being dependent on the severity of the damage; and controlling an output device to provide the determined information indicating the occurrence of damage to an operator of the aircraft.