Fiber Optic Shape Sensing for NDE Probe Position Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) methods face challenges in accurately encoding examination data without complex machinery setups, especially for objects with complex geometries or large areas, and require costly customized hardware and manual intervention, which can lead to human error and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a shape sensing fiber optic cable attached to an NDE probe that determines its position and orientation, allowing for real-time encoding of examination data with a processor, enabling accurate correlation of data with minimal setup and reduced reliance on custom machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual examination is performed by human operators, then examination can be conducted without complex machinery, but human error increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and data encoding operations with an automated system comprising a robot, shape sensing fiber optic cable, and processor. The fiber optic cable senses the probe's position and orientation through light reflection properties, and the processor automatically encodes examination data with position information, eliminating human operators from the positioning and encoding tasks while maintaining examination capability.
2Productivity
If automated examination with electro-mechanical machines is used, then productivity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electro-mechanical positioning systems with a shape sensing fiber optic cable that uses optical principles to detect probe position and orientation. The fiber optic cable measures changes in light reflection properties caused by probe movement, eliminating the need for encoder wheels, tracks, and propulsion systems while achieving automated examination with reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape sensing fiber optic cable acts as an intermediary between the NDE probe and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring probe position through complex mechanical sensors, the system uses the fiber optic cable to sense position indirectly through light reflection properties, simplifying the measurement mechanism while maintaining automated functionality.
3Measurement precision
If customized electro-mechanical machines are built for each examination object, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shape sensing fiber optic cable serves as a universal positioning sensor that can be attached to NDE probes for examining various objects with different geometries. The system does not require customization for each examination object; the same fiber optic cable and processing methodology can determine probe position and orientation across different applications, eliminating the need for custom-built electro-mechanical machines for each object type.
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 efficient and accurate NDE on complex geometries and large areas with reduced costs, minimizing human error by automating the encoding process and providing precise position and orientation information for enhanced data correlation.
Implementation Method 1
a shape sensing fiber optic cable attached to the NDE probe, the fiber optic cable configured to receive a frequency of light and to reflect the received light
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for conducting Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) inspections and integrating inspection data with encoding information may include a NDE probe configured to conduct a non-destructive examination of an object, a shape sensing fiber optic cable attached to the NDE probe, the fiber optic cable configured to receive a frequency of light and to reflect the received light, a fiber optic cable shape sensing detector configured to generate light of the frequency, measure the shape of the shape sensing fiber optic cable based on the reflected light from the shape sensing fiber optic cable, and determine position information and orientation information of the NDE probe based on the measured shape of the fiber optic cable, and a processor configured to encode the examination data, the encoding including correlating the position information and the orientation information with the examination data.