3D Damage Mapping via Camera and Laser Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-destructive inspection and repair methods for aircraft fail to accurately document and retrieve the precise location of previous damage, making it difficult for maintenance crews to assess future repairs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system using a camera and laser ranging device to map damaged regions onto a known coordinate system, calculating 3D coordinates, and storing them for future reference, allowing for precise location identification and damage assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional hand measurement methods are used to document damaged regions, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the precision and accuracy of damage location documentation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical measurement system consisting of a camera, laser ranging device, and coordinate system calibration apparatus. This substitution enables precise 3D coordinate capture of damaged regions without requiring complex manual measurement procedures, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D model copy of the damaged region by mapping it to the object's coordinate system. This digital copy preserves the precise location and dimensions of the damage, allowing for accurate documentation and future reference without needing to physically remeasure the damaged area, thereby improving precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Loss of information
If repairs are concealed with paint or other materials, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ability to locate and assess future damage is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary documentation of the damaged region's 3D coordinates before the repair process begins. By capturing and storing the precise location data in advance, the system ensures that damage location information is preserved even when the physical damage is concealed during repair, eliminating the need to physically mark or indicator the damaged area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital record (copy) of the damaged region's location and characteristics in the object's coordinate system. This digital copy serves as a permanent reference that can be retrieved later to identify the precise location of repaired areas, regardless of whether physical markers or indicators are applied during the repair process.
3Measurement precision
If 3D coordinate mapping system is implemented, then the accuracy of damage location documentation is improved, but the time and resources required for measurement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a systematic periodic measurement process where the camera and laser ranging device capture data at regular intervals or at predetermined points around the damaged region. This periodic sampling approach enables comprehensive 3D mapping without requiring continuous measurement, thereby reducing the total measurement time while maintaining high precision through multiple discrete data points.
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
Enables accurate documentation and retrieval of damage locations, facilitating informed repair processes by providing a 3D model of the damaged region for maintenance crews, enhancing the ability to identify and address future damage effectively.
Implementation Method 1
measures a distance to the target points with the laser ranging device
Implementation Method 2
capture a two-dimensional (2D) image of the damaged region
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mapping a damaged region on an object. An exemplary system captures an image of the damaged region with a camera, selects target points around a boundary of the damaged region on the image, and determines 2D image coordinates for the target points on the image. The system further determines angles for aiming a laser ranging device at each of the target points based on the image coordinates, and measures a distance to each of the target points with the laser ranging device based on the aiming angles. The system then calculates 3D coordinates for each of the target points in the coordinate system of the object based on the distance measurement and the 2D image coordinates for each of the target points.