Coating Feature Measurement Using Vibration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for contactless determination of coating features are unsuitable for environments with disturbing elements such as dust, water, and vibrations, leading to distorted results.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a coating scanner and a vibration explorer, both protected from ingress, which emit and sense radiation to determine coating features, guided by an optical arrangement to converge at a common point, with vibration compensation, and a determiner unit to analyze the sensed radiation and detected vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If known methods use very sensitive components for contactless determination, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to distortion from dust, water, and paint particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vibrations into a useful signal by using the vibration explorer to detect coating vibrations caused by engine operation. The vibration pattern itself becomes the measurement signal, allowing reliable thickness determination in previously unusable environments with dust, water, and paint particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach using vibration detection rather than direct optical or electromagnetic sensing. The vibration explorer acts as an intermediary that measures coating thickness through vibration characteristics, bypassing the problem of sensitive components being affected by disturbing environmental factors.
2Productivity
If known methods operate in manufacturing line environments, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful vibrations from manufacturing line equipment and engine operation into a beneficial measurement signal. The vibration explorer detects these vibrations and uses them to determine coating thickness, allowing measurements to be taken directly on the production line without requiring separate static measurement environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly uses mechanical vibration as the measurement mechanism. The vibration explorer generates and detects vibrations in the coating, and the vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, damping) are used to determine coating thickness. This approach is inherently suited for dynamic manufacturing environments where vibrations are already present.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a system integrates both coating scanner and vibration explorer, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can operate in both clean laboratory environments and harsh manufacturing line conditions. The combined coating scanner and vibration explorer provide multi-functionality, using different measurement principles (direct sensing and vibration analysis) that can complement each other across different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration explorer serves as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between traditional coating measurement methods and harsh environmental conditions. By introducing this intermediate measurement approach, the system can handle environments where conventional sensitive components would fail, without completely replacing the existing coating scanner infrastructure.
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 provides reliable and accurate determination of coating features in environments with vibrations and disturbing particles, ensuring effective results in manufacturing lines.
Implementation Method 1
an ingress-protected receiver configured to sense an interaction radiation caused by interaction of the scanning radiation with the one or more layers of the coating
Implementation Method 2
an ingress-protected sensor configured to sense a reflection radiation caused by reflection of the exploration radiation on the coating to detect a vibration of the coating depending on the reflection radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for contactless determining feature(s) of a layered coating. Such systems may include determiner unit and measurement unit including coating scanner, vibration explorer and optical arrangement. Coating scanner includes ingress-protected transmitter to emit scanning radiation, and ingress-protected receiver to sense interaction radiation caused by interaction of scanning radiation with coating layer(s). Vibration explorer includes ingress-protected emitter to emit exploration radiation, and ingress-protected sensor to sense reflection radiation caused by reflection of exploration radiation on coating to detect a vibration of the coating depending on the reflection radiation. Optical arrangement guides scanning radiation and/or exploration radiation towards common radiation direction, and guides interaction radiation towards ingress-protected receiver and/or reflection radiation towards ingress-protected sensor. Determiner unit determines coating feature(s) depending on interaction radiation sensed by coating scanner and vibration detected by vibration explorer. Methods and computer programs performable in said systems are also provided.