Drone-Based Impact Location on Aircraft Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating impacts on an aircraft's external surface, such as indentations from object falls or collisions, are time-consuming and require multiple technicians, especially when scaffolding is needed to reach high areas.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a flying drone equipped with a range finder and a control unit that models the aircraft's virtual surface, allows for quick detection and location of impacts by scanning the external surface, creating a 3D mesh, and calculating impact coordinates in a geographic reference system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional tape measure methods are used to locate impacts on aircraft surfaces, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple technicians and scaffolding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tape measure system with an optical scanning system using a drone equipped with a camera or laser scanner. The drone captures images or scans the aircraft surface, and a processing system automatically determines impact coordinates by comparing scanned data with a digital model of the aircraft, eliminating the need for manual measurement while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or virtual model of the aircraft surface that can be scanned and analyzed computationally. Instead of physically measuring the actual aircraft with tape measures, the system uses a digital representation to locate impacts through image processing and coordinate transformation, significantly reducing inspection time.
2Measurement precision
If traditional tape measure methods are used to locate impacts on aircraft surfaces, then impact coordinates can be determined, but the process requires multiple technicians and scaffolding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical system of multiple technicians and scaffolding with an automated drone-based scanning system. The drone flies autonomously or semi-autonomously around the aircraft, capturing surface data, while onboard or ground-based processors automatically determine impact coordinates, reducing human involvement and equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone system serves multiple functions: it positions itself autonomously, captures images or scans the surface, processes the data to locate impacts, and outputs coordinates. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized roles of multiple technicians and complex scaffolding structures with a single versatile platform.
3Ease of operation
If scaffolding is erected to reach high areas of the aircraft, then impact detection on upper surfaces becomes possible, but the process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for scaffolding with an aerial drone system that can freely position itself above and around the aircraft. The drone uses its mobility and flight capabilities to access high areas without requiring ground-based support structures, dramatically reducing setup time and improving operational ease.
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 rapid and simplified impact detection and location on aircraft surfaces, reducing the need for extensive manpower and scaffolding, while providing accurate coordinates of impacts relative to structural elements.
Implementation Method 1
a flying drone 200 equipped with a range finder 243 for scanning the surface 110
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating external surface impacts on a body. The steps are: modeling the body in a control unit first database to obtain a virtual body model in a virtual system of reference axes; modeling, in a second database, a plurality of clouds of points in the virtual system, each cloud defining an inspection zone representing an external surface portion; selecting an inspection zone; transferring the coordinates of each point of the first and second databases to a geographic system of reference axes; determining geographic coordinates of an initial position of a range finder equipped flying drone communicating with the processing unit; calculating a drone flight plan to scan the selected inspection zone; creating a 3D meshing of the scanned inspection zone; detecting the impacts by comparing the 3D meshing and the virtual aircraft model and calculating the coordinates of each impact in the geographic and virtual systems.