Flexible Eddy Current Probe for Non-Invasive Aircraft Component Testing

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for testing the integrity of aircraft components, such as thrust reversers, are time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the need to remove protective casings for access, which hinders efficient non-invasive testing.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an instrument with a flexible part and a rigid end part carrying an eddy current probe, where templates are used to shape the flexible part for precise positioning, allowing the probe to reach measurement areas without removing surrounding parts, and rotating the rigid end part facilitates movement between areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If protective casings are removed for access to thrust reverser structure, then the eddy current probe can reach measurement areas, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to measurement areasVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into three distinct parts: a rigid straight part for handling, a flexible part for reaching measurement areas, and a rigid end part carrying the probe. This segmentation allows the flexible part to be shaped against templates to access different measurement areas without removing protective casings, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing testing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible part of the instrument can be dynamically shaped and repositioned by rotating the rigid end part through 180° about its longitudinal axis to reach different measurement areas. This dynamic repositioning capability eliminates the need to remove protective casings for access, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If protective casings are removed for access to thrust reverser structure, then the eddy current probe can reach measurement areas, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to measurement areasVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into three distinct parts: a rigid straight part for handling, a flexible part for reaching measurement areas, and a rigid end part carrying the probe. This segmentation allows the flexible part to be shaped against templates to access different measurement areas without removing protective casings, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing testing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible part of the instrument is designed to be self-positioning through rotation about its longitudinal axis, allowing the operator to reach different measurement areas without external assistance or disassembly. This self-service capability improves productivity by eliminating time-consuming protective casing removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a rigid probe is used for eddy current testing, then the probe provides stable measurements, but the probe cannot reach complex measurement areas without removing surrounding parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidaccess to measurement areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into three distinct parts: a rigid straight part for handling, a flexible part for reaching measurement areas, and a rigid end part carrying the probe. This segmentation allows the flexible part to be shaped against templates to access different measurement areas without removing protective casings, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing testing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the instrument have different mechanical properties: the flexible part is flexible to reach complex measurement areas, while the end part carrying the probe is rigid to ensure measurement stability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach enables rapid and efficient testing of component integrity by allowing access to multiple measurement areas without disassembly, significantly reducing time and labor costs.

Implementation Method 1

testing the integrity of a component in a measurement area of the component by means of an instrument having a flexible part and a rigid end part following the flexible part and carrying an eddy current probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentUS10209222B2Method for eddy current testing

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A method for testing the integrity of a component in a measurement area of the component, using an instrument having a flexible part and a rigid end part following the flexible part and carrying an eddy current probe. The method comprises a selection step in which a template corresponding to the measurement area is selected, a shaping step in which the flexible part is shaped against the template thus selected, a positioning step, in which the instrument thus shaped is positioned so that the eddy current probe is placed in the measurement area, and a measurement step, in which a measurement is made via the eddy current probe which has been thus positioned.