Aircraft Exterior Light Inspection Using Coordinated UAV Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physically inspecting aircraft exterior lights is a time-consuming task that requires specialized equipment and poses safety risks to personnel.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used to automate the inspection of aircraft exterior lights by coordinating with the aircraft's lighting control system to activate or deactivate lights for image capture and analysis, utilizing onboard sensors to assess light functionality and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical inspection methods are used to inspect aircraft exterior lights, then inspection can be performed, but inspection time increases and personnel safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical inspection system with an automated optical inspection system. A camera system captures images of exterior lights from a distance, eliminating the need for personnel to physically approach and inspect the lights, thereby improving safety while reducing inspection time through automated image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (images) of the exterior lights instead of direct physical inspection. By capturing images of the lights from various angles and using image processing algorithms, the system analyzes light functionality and intensity without requiring physical contact with the lights or proximity to the aircraft.
2Reliability
If specialized equipment such as boom lifts or scissor lifts is used for inspection, then inspection can be performed, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical lifting equipment (boom lifts, scissor lifts) with a simple camera-based optical inspection system. The system uses image capture and processing to assess light functionality, eliminating the need for specialized mechanical equipment and significantly reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary (camera system) between the inspector and the exterior lights. Instead of directly physically inspecting the lights, the camera captures visual information that can be analyzed remotely, serving as an intermediary that simplifies the inspection process and eliminates the need for complex positioning equipment.
3Reliability
If manual physical inspection is performed, then inspection can be conducted, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous inspection through automated image capture and analysis. The system can capture multiple images of exterior lights from different angles and continuously process them to assess light functionality, maintaining constant inspection activity without the interruptions and delays associated with manual inspection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes manual inspection with an automated optical system that continuously captures and analyzes images of exterior lights. This automation allows for rapid, uninterrupted inspection of multiple lights, significantly improving productivity while maintaining thoroughness through comprehensive image analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes obtaining, at an unmanned aerial vehicle (110), a flight plan for the unmanned aerial vehicle (110). The flight plan is based on an aircraft type of an aircraft (102) to be inspected. The method also includes coordinating, with a lighting control device (150) onboard the aircraft (102), activation of a particular exterior light (104A-104I) of the aircraft based on the flight plan such that the particular exterior light activates or deactivates when a particular sensor (126) of the one or more sensors is located (i.e., positioned and oriented) to perform a sensing operation on the particular exterior light (104A-104I). The method further includes performing the sensing operation on the particular exterior light using the particular sensor. The method also includes determining a functionality metric associated with the particular exterior light based on the sensing operation.