Aircraft Inspection System with Movable Sensor Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft inspection methods are complex and time-consuming, particularly in detecting defects that become apparent during flight operations, such as deformations and material property deviations, which are not visible during ground inspections.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft inspection system comprising a movable inspection unit with sensors and a position detection arrangement that generates monitoring data, allowing for the detection of defects during flight and providing precise assessment of the aircraft's condition, including structural features and potential bird strikes, with the ability to communicate inspection data to the pilot or aircraft operating system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used by pilots, then inspection can be performed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft performs self-inspection through integrated sensors (acceleration sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors) that automatically monitor structural conditions during flight operations, eliminating the need for complex manual inspection procedures by pilots while continuously detecting defects such as abnormal vibrations, deformations, and material property deviations
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical inspection by pilots is replaced with automated electronic sensing systems including acceleration sensors for vibration detection, strain sensors for deformation monitoring, and temperature sensors for thermal condition assessment, significantly improving inspection efficiency while reducing procedural complexity
2Reliability
If ground inspections are performed, then visible defects can be detected, but defects apparent during flight operations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system transitions from static ground-based visual inspection to dynamic in-flight monitoring using acceleration sensors that detect abnormal vibrations, strain sensors that measure structural deformations under flight loads, and temperature sensors that monitor thermal conditions during operation, enabling detection of defects that only manifest under flight conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously collects real-time data from multiple sensors during flight operations and provides feedback to the flight management system, enabling immediate detection and response to defects such as abnormal vibrations, material property deviations, and structural deformations that occur during actual aircraft operation
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3f
AI summary
The present invention relates to the inspection of aircraft. In order to provide a simplified inspection of an aircraft for the pilot, an aircraft inspection system (10) is provided which comprises at least one movable inspection unit (12), a position detection arrangement (14), and at least one data transfer interface (16). The at least one moveable inspection unit is moveable relative to an aircraft to be inspected. The at least one movable inspection unit comprises at least one sensor (22) for detecting a characteristic value, for verifying a characteristic and/or for determining a defect of an aircraft. The movable inspection unit is configured to generate monitoring data. When a defect or a characteristic value is detected, the position detection arrangement detects position data of the movable inspection unit in relation to the aircraft to be inspected, and assigns the position data to the monitoring data. The data transfer interface provides the position data with the assigned monitoring data as inspection data (28).