Aircraft De-Icing Spray Assist with Sensor-Guided Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing de-icing systems for airplanes lack precision and efficiency in applying de-icing liquids, often resulting in overspray or incomplete coverage due to inadequate positioning and alignment with the aircraft's surface.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a sprayer assembly, sensors, and a controller that determines the position of the sprayer relative to the airplane, providing a graphical user interface to guide accurate application of de-icing liquid, and includes a vision system for object detection and alignment assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional de-icing systems are used without positioning assistance, then the system is simpler to operate, but the application precision and coverage accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system consisting of sensors, markers, and a controller that mediates between the sprayer and the aircraft surface. This intermediary system provides real-time positioning information and guidance feedback, enabling precise application without requiring the operator to directly judge distance and alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning methods with an automated optical and electronic positioning system. Instead of relying on operator skill and visual estimation, the system uses sensors, markers, and computer-controlled guidance to automatically determine position and orientation, substituting mechanical judgment with electronic measurement and control.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual positioning methods are used, then the operation is faster to set up, but the de-icing coverage completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning markers on the aircraft surface and pre-configuring the sensor system before de-icing operations begin. The positioning system is established in advance, allowing the controller to immediately calculate sprayer position and provide guidance feedback without time-consuming manual measurements during the actual de-icing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service positioning where the sprayer automatically determines its own position relative to the aircraft using sensors and markers, and the controller automatically provides guidance feedback. This eliminates the need for external operators to perform time-consuming manual positioning tasks, reducing positioning time while maintaining high accuracy.
3Productivity
If the sprayer assembly lacks positioning feedback, then the device is simpler in structure, but the de-icing efficiency deteriorates due to overspray and incomplete coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously monitor the sprayer's position and orientation relative to the aircraft, the controller processes this information to determine alignment accuracy, and guidance feedback is provided to the operator. This real-time feedback enables immediate corrections, preventing overspray and ensuring complete coverage, thereby significantly improving de-icing efficiency.
4Measurement precision
If visual estimation is used for sprayer positioning, then the system requires fewer components, but the alignment precision with aircraft surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual estimation with an automated optical measurement system. Sensors detect predefined markers on the aircraft surface and automatically calculate the sprayer's position and orientation coordinates. This substitution of visual judgment with electronic measurement achieves high positioning precision without requiring complex manual measurement tools or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle can include a chassis. The vehicle can include a body that can be supported by the chassis. The vehicle can include a tractive assembly. The vehicle can include a sprayer assembly that can apply a de-icing liquid to an airplane. The vehicle can include one or more sensors that can acquire data regarding an area of the airplane. The vehicle can include a display device. The vehicle can include a controller. The controller can determine a position of the sprayer assembly relative to the area of the airplane. The controller can cause the display device of the vehicle to present a user interface that includes a graphical representation of where the sprayer assembly will spray the de-icing liquid based on the position of the sprayer assembly relative to the area of the airplane.