Aircraft Surface Inspection With Ground And Cable-Tethered Hovering Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting the surface of aircraft or spacecraft fuselages, particularly large areas with numerous riveted joints, are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a ground vehicle with a movable arm and a hovering platform connected via a cable, allowing simultaneous inspection of lower and higher surface sections using multiple inspection devices, with the ground vehicle providing power and data transfer and the hovering platform maintaining altitude through a flexible cable system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple inspection devices are used to inspect different height sections simultaneously, then inspection productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is divided into multiple independent inspection devices, each responsible for specific height sections of the aircraft surface. Ground-based devices inspect lower sections while hovering devices inspect higher sections, allowing parallel operation and improved productivity without requiring a single complex device to handle all sections
Solution Approach 2:
A cable-based power and data transmission system serves as an intermediary between the ground vehicle and hovering inspection devices. This intermediary enables power and data transfer to mobile devices without requiring complex onboard power systems on each inspection device, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity
2Area of stationary object
If hovering platforms are used to reach higher surface sections, then inspection coverage is improved, but reliability decreases due to cable management challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static ground-based inspection to dynamic hovering inspection for higher sections. The hovering platforms can dynamically adjust their position and altitude to optimize inspection coverage of difficult-to-reach areas while maintaining cable connection through controlled movement, thereby expanding coverage while managing reliability through active control
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is designed to accommodate parameter changes in the hovering platform's position, altitude, and movement speed. The flexible cable and reel mechanism adapt to varying operational parameters, allowing the platform to move freely within operational limits while maintaining reliable power and data connection
3Measurement precision
If ground vehicle with movable arm is used for lower section inspection, then inspection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection task is segmented between ground-based devices for lower sections and hovering devices for higher sections. This segmentation allows each device type to be optimized for its specific operational context - ground devices with stable mounting for precision work, and hovering devices for accessible higher areas - improving overall ease of operation while maintaining high precision where needed
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for scanning or inspecting an aircraft or spacecraft surface structure is proposed, comprising at least one ground vehicle carrying at least one first inspection device, at least one hovering platform carrying at least one second inspection device, wherein the at least one first inspection device is arranged on a first arm arranged on the at least one ground vehicle, wherein the at least one ground vehicle comprises a vertical pole, wherein a transverse holding element extends from the vertical pole, wherein the at least one hovering platform is electrically connected to the at least one ground vehicle through a cable for transferring electrical power and/or data to the at least one hovering platform, wherein at least one of the vertical pole and the transverse holding element carries the cable, wherein the at least one hovering platform is flexibly held on at least one of the vertical pole and the transverse holding element through the cable or an additional component, wherein the inspection devices are adapted for determining a characteristic of the surface structure and to identify points of shape deviation by comparison with an intended characteristic, and wherein the system is designed for successively inspecting the surface structure through the at least one first inspection device and the at least one second inspection device being arranged in different heights at the same time.