Automated Aircraft Rework Analysis System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rework determination processes for aircraft are time-intensive and costly, often taking weeks or months, leading to substantial downtime and revenue loss, as they rely on manual operations and lack efficient tools for rapid analysis and certification.
Innovation Solution
A rework system comprising a rework assessor and interrogator that examines a rework parameter array to identify candidate parts and procedures for addressing inconsistencies, utilizing automated and integrated modules for rapid rework determination, analysis, and certification, significantly reducing the time required for rework planning from weeks to hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operations are used for rework determination, then thorough analysis can be performed, but the process becomes time-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis operations with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms and software to perform rework determination. The system automatically examines inconsistency data, queries databases for candidate parts and procedures, and generates rework plans without manual intervention, thereby maintaining analysis quality while dramatically reducing time from weeks to hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the computer to autonomously perform the entire rework determination process. The automated system independently analyzes inconsistencies, searches for solutions in databases, evaluates candidates, and generates rework plans without requiring human operators to manually perform each step, thus eliminating time loss while preserving analytical rigor.
2Reliability
If comprehensive rework analysis is performed to ensure all requirements are met, then reliability is improved, but the process duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-populating databases with candidate parts, procedures, and criteria before rework determination is needed. When an inconsistency is detected, the system immediately queries these pre-prepared databases and automatically evaluates candidates against all requirements, ensuring comprehensive compliance check without extending the actual rework determination time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated computer system replaces manual comprehensive analysis with algorithmic evaluation that systematically checks all requirements and constraints. The system automatically verifies candidate parts and procedures against stored criteria, ensuring complete requirement compliance while completing the analysis in hours rather than weeks.
3Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for rapid rework determination, then speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by creating a multi-functional automated platform that handles multiple rework determination tasks through a single integrated system. The computer system can query different databases, evaluate various candidate types (parts, procedures, or both), and generate different output formats, thereby achieving high productivity through a unified system rather than multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by storing standardized templates and criteria in databases that can be repeatedly queried and applied to different rework scenarios. Candidate parts and procedures are stored as reusable records that can be automatically retrieved and evaluated, allowing the system to rapidly handle multiple cases without increasing operational complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If extensive database queries are performed to identify candidate parts and procedures, then solution quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-organizing and indexing database records for candidate parts, procedures, and evaluation criteria before they are needed. The databases are structured with searchable fields and predefined relationships, allowing the computer system to quickly retrieve relevant candidates using efficient query operations rather than performing exhaustive searches, thus maintaining selection accuracy while minimizing query time.
Data Source
AI summary
A rework system for a vehicle having an inconsistency on a component of the vehicle. A rework assessor is configured to examine a rework parameter array to ascertain whether a rework procedure is to be performed. The rework parameter array defines at least volumetric dimensions of the component, a type of the inconsistency, and location coordinates of the inconsistency with respect to the component or the vehicle. A rework interrogator is in communication with the rework assessor. The rework interrogator is configured to, when a rework is to be performed, identify a candidate for addressing the inconsistency. The candidate selected from the group that includes: a candidate part, a candidate rework procedure, and both the candidate part and the candidate rework procedure.