Airplane Surface Fluid Dispensing With Autonomous 3D Path Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispensing fluids on airplane surfaces require skilled operators and are time-consuming, leading to inefficiencies and potential surface coverage issues due to operator error, which prolongs ground time and increases material waste.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous dispensing system using sensors and a processing unit to create a 3D representation of the surface, determining a path for the nozzle to follow, allowing for precise and efficient application of fluids without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If skilled operators manually control the dispensing system, then surface coverage quality is maintained, but operator availability is limited and training is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fluid dispensing autonomously using onboard sensors to detect the airplane surface and automatically calculate and execute the dispensing path, eliminating the need for skilled operators to manually control the process while maintaining surface coverage quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control by operators with an automated system combining sensors, processing units, and control algorithms that detect surface geometry and autonomously navigate the dispensing operation
2Productivity
If operators manually navigate the dispensing system, then real-time decisions can be made, but the process takes longer and ground time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the optimal dispensing path based on sensor-detected surface geometry before beginning fluid application, allowing the nozzle to follow a predetermined efficient trajectory without real-time operator decision-making delays
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous fluid dispensing along the calculated path without interruptions for operator assessment or decision-making, ensuring the nozzle continuously applies fluid at optimal rates throughout the treatment area
3Loss of substance
If operators manually control fluid application, then flexibility is maintained, but fluid waste occurs due to operator error and excessive use at edges
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously detect the airplane surface geometry and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the dispensing path and fluid application rates in real-time to prevent excessive fluid use at edges and ensure complete coverage of target areas
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system dynamically adjusts dispensing parameters such as fluid flow rate and nozzle position based on real-time sensor data about surface geometry, optimizing fluid application to match the actual target area and minimize waste
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying a fluid, such as deicing fluid, to a surface of an airplane. A vehicle loaded with a fluid has a nozzle for spraying said fluid onto said surface and at least one sensor and a processing unit is provided for determining a 3D representation of the surface onto which fluid is to be added. The 3D representation is used to determine boundary conditions for a path along which the nozzle is moved relative to the surface and the fluid is being dispensed onto the surface as said nozzle is being moved along the path.