Aircraft Surface Deformation Detection via Multi-Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft surfaces are susceptible to deformation during flight, which can affect aerodynamic characteristics and reduce performance, safety, and existing detection methods lack accuracy in assessing the severity of deformations and their impact on flight conditions.
Innovation Solution
A surface monitoring system that employs a sensor system to analyze data from multiple sensors, including LIDAR and infrared sensors, to detect and classify surface deformations, environmental conditions, and aircraft operating parameters, providing real-time feedback to pilots and flight control systems to inform decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor type is used for surface deformation detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and accuracy of detecting surface conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (LIDAR, infrared, and other sensors) into a single integrated sensor system. The LIDAR sensor detects surface deformation through laser ranging, while the infrared sensor detects thermal characteristics. By merging these different sensing modalities, the system achieves comprehensive surface condition monitoring with higher measurement precision than any single sensor could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it detects surface deformation geometry via LIDAR, thermal characteristics via infrared sensing, and integrates these data streams to comprehensively assess surface conditions. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor system to replace what would otherwise require separate detection systems for different surface properties.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surface monitoring system as an intermediary that receives, processes, and integrates data from multiple sensor types. This intermediary system coordinates the LIDAR and infrared sensors, combines their respective measurements, and produces a unified assessment of surface conditions. The intermediary processing layer manages the complexity of multiple sensors by providing a structured framework for data integration and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the processed surface condition information is fed back to inform flight decisions. The sensor system continuously monitors surface conditions, processes the data through the integrated system, and provides real-time feedback about deformation severity and thermal characteristics, enabling dynamic adjustment of flight operations based on detected conditions.
3Reliability
If comprehensive environmental and operating parameters are analyzed, then the reliability of performance assessment improves, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and pre-processing surface condition data during normal operations. The LIDAR and infrared sensors continuously acquire surface deformation and thermal data, which are pre-processed and stored for rapid analysis when needed. This preliminary data collection and processing reduces the time required for comprehensive assessment when critical decisions are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a tiered analysis approach where it processes all available sensor data comprehensively when full assessment is needed, but can also perform partial analyses using subsets of the data when time is critical. The integrated sensor system captures more data than immediately necessary (excessive action), allowing flexible selection of data subsets for rapid assessment when time constraints exist, while maintaining the option for comprehensive analysis when time permits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly enhances the accuracy and quality of detected surface conditions, enabling pilots to make informed decisions about hazardous conditions and reducing the risk of performance degradation or safety threats.
Implementation Method 1
A surface monitoring system is disclosed that employs a sensor system, including LIDAR and infrared sensors, to detect surface deformations
Implementation Method 2
A surface monitoring system is disclosed that employs a sensor system, including LIDAR and infrared sensors, to detect surface deformations
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for detecting surface deformation of aircraft surfaces (104) are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor system to monitor an aircraft surface (104), the sensor system including a first sensor (116) and a second sensor (118). A surface monitoring system (102) receives signals from the first sensor (116) and the second sensor (118) and based on the signals received, the surface monitoring system (102) is to: detect a surface deformation on the aircraft surface (104); analyze one or more environmental conditions or aircraft parameters; and classify a severity of a detected surface deformation based on the one or more environmental conditions or aircraft parameters to determine if the detected surface deformation impacts aircraft performance or safety.