3D Scanner Aircraft Interior Shape Change Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft interior designers face challenges in characterizing shape changes due to flight loads, as existing methods provide limited quantitative feedback, leading to issues like unsightly gaps and door malfunctions, due to the increased flexibility of aircraft structures designed to reduce weight.
Innovation Solution
The use of 3D scanners to capture reference and deformed scans of aircraft interiors while stationary and in flight, respectively, allowing for post-processing and analysis of shape changes, including magnitude and direction of movement, to better understand and manage fuselage and cabin floor movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If material is removed or special materials with high strength-to-weight ratio are used to reduce aircraft weight, then weight is reduced and efficiency is improved, but structural flexibility increases causing shape changes in the fuselage and cabin floor during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from qualitative visual inspection to quantitative 3D measurement parameters. The system captures shape changes through precise numerical data from laser scanners, enabling designers to measure and analyze fuselage deformation parameters (magnitude and direction of movement) rather than relying on visual observation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (tape measures, string potentiometers) with optical measurement systems (laser scanners). This substitution provides comprehensive three-dimensional data without physical contact, capturing shape changes more accurately than mechanical devices that only provide one-dimensional measurements at discrete locations.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods like tape measures or string potentiometers are used to measure shape changes, then some measurement data is obtained, but the data is limited to one-dimensional information at just a few discrete locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from one-dimensional linear measurements to comprehensive three-dimensional shape measurements. The laser scanning system captures X, Y, and Z coordinates of numerous points across the fuselage surface, providing complete spatial information about shape changes rather than limited linear distances at discrete points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by creating a measurement system that can capture multiple types of information simultaneously. The 3D scanning system provides both the magnitude and direction of movement across the entire fuselage surface, whereas traditional methods required separate measurement procedures for different locations and orientations.
3Loss of information
If pictures of interior cabin features are taken during flight to observe deformations, then visual feedback is obtained, but the feedback provides limited quantitative information about the magnitude and direction of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces photographic documentation with direct optical measurement using laser scanners. Instead of capturing images that require manual analysis and provide only qualitative visual feedback, the system directly measures and quantifies shape changes through laser range finding, automatically generating precise numerical data on displacement magnitude and direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating accurate digital 3D models (point clouds) of the fuselage interior at different flight conditions. These digital copies can be stored, analyzed, and compared without distortion, providing permanent quantitative records of shape changes that can be revisited and measured repeatedly.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for characterizing shape changes of an aircraft due to flight loads are provided. In one example, a method for characterizing shape changes of an interior portion of an aircraft from flight loads includes positioning one or more 3D scanners within the interior portion of the aircraft. A reference scan of the interior portion is created with the one or more 3D scanners while the aircraft is substantially stationary and/or on the ground. A deformed scan of the interior portion is created with the one or more 3D scanners while the aircraft is in flight subject to substantial flight loads. The reference scan and the deformed scan are postprocessed and analyzed to characterize the shape changes of the interior portion of the aircraft from the substantial flight loads.