AR-Guided Gas Turbine Engine Servicing Without Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for inspecting and repairing gas turbine engines require disassembly and uninstallation from aircraft, which are costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The use of augmented reality devices and robotic assemblies for autonomous or semi-autonomous servicing operations, including inspection and repair, with human operator assistance through augmented reality displays for complex tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional disassembly and uninstallation methods are used for engine inspection and repair, then access to internal components is achieved, but servicing time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the inspection and repair process into distinct functional modules: augmented reality display layer, component recognition layer, instruction delivery layer, and data tracking layer. This allows simultaneous access to internal components through transparent displays while maintaining real-time guidance, eliminating the sequential nature of traditional disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an augmented reality display as an intermediary between the engine components and the technician. This intermediary provides virtual overlays showing internal components, operational instructions, and real-time data without requiring physical disassembly, thus bridging the gap between maintaining engine assembly and achieving component access.
2Ease of repair
If traditional disassembly methods are used for engine servicing, then internal components become accessible, but operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading all necessary inspection and repair information into the augmented reality display before the technician begins work. Component models, instructional sequences, and diagnostic data are prepared in advance and made available through the AR interface, allowing immediate access without time-consuming reference to manuals or documentation during the servicing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing the engine to remain in a partially operational or stabilized state during inspection. The augmented reality system provides continuous guidance and component visualization without interrupting the engine's operational cycle, maintaining productivity while enabling necessary maintenance activities.
3Reliability
If complex inspection and repair procedures are performed manually, then thorough servicing is achieved, but human error and inconsistency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the augmented reality display continuously monitors the technician's actions, compares them against the required procedure, and provides real-time corrections or confirmations. This feedback loop ensures that complex inspection and repair procedures are executed consistently and accurately, reducing human error while maintaining thorough servicing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical procedures with an automated augmented reality guidance system. The complex sequence of inspection and repair actions is transformed into a digital workflow with visual cues, automated checklists, and real-time validation, substituting human judgment and manual coordination with an automated information system that ensures procedural accuracy and consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of servicing engines, an exemplary method of servicing an engine, the method including receiving, by one or more computing devices, information corresponding to one or more components of the engine; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a location of the one or more components of the engine with respect to a location of an augmented reality device; and presenting, in a current field of view display of the augmented reality device, at least a portion of the information corresponding to the one or more components of the engine, wherein the portion of the information includes a rendering of the one or more components, instructions regarding operations to be performed on the one or more components, directional arrows or contextual information associated with the one or more components, or any combination thereof.