Flying Hammering Inspection Alignment for Hard-to-Reach Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems require skilled operators to navigate inspection devices to specific locations, and they often cannot access areas where vehicles cannot enter, limiting the effectiveness and accessibility of hammering inspections.
Innovation Solution
A flying device with a hammering inspection means mounted on a flying unit, controlled by a ground-side device using laser beam positioning and flight path calculation to align the flying device's direction orthogonally with a specified line between two points on the inspection surface, allowing autonomous operation and access to previously inaccessible areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a moving flight vehicle or automatic moving vehicle is used for hammering inspection, then the inspection can be performed remotely or automatically, but the operator requires skillful operation or the vehicle cannot enter certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device performs self-navigation and self-positioning using GPS satellites and inertial measurement units. The system automatically determines its own position and orientation without requiring manual control, enabling the device to serve itself in navigating to inspection points and maintaining proper inspection posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automated electronic control systems. GPS reception units, inertial measurement units, and microprocessors substitute for operator skill, automatically calculating position, orientation, and navigation paths to perform hammering inspections without skilled human intervention.
2Productivity
If a vehicle-mounted inspection device is used, then the inspection can be performed systematically, but the device cannot access areas where vehicles cannot enter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based vehicle movement to aerial flight for inspection device deployment. By operating in the aerial dimension rather than ground level, the inspection device can access confined spaces, indoor areas, and regions inaccessible to ground vehicles while maintaining systematic inspection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device is designed with universal applicability to multiple inspection environments. The same aerial platform can inspect both outdoor structures and indoor confined spaces, replacing the need for specialized ground-based devices and expanding accessibility to diverse inspection areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote control of the flying vehicle is required, then the operator can inspect dangerous or inaccessible areas, but the operator must be skillful and the inspection takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from GPS satellites and inertial measurement units about the device's position and orientation. This real-time feedback enables automatic navigation corrections and maintains accurate positioning at inspection points without requiring manual intervention, reducing inspection time while preserving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device pre-calculates navigation paths and positions using GPS and inertial data before reaching inspection points. By preparing flight paths and positioning strategies in advance, the system minimizes on-site adjustment time and reduces overall inspection duration while maintaining access to remote areas.
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 skilled-independent operation for hammering inspections and allows inspections in areas inaccessible to traditional vehicles, improving efficiency and accessibility by using a flying device that can be controlled to align orthogonally with the inspection surface.
Implementation Method 1
The ground side device detects a relative position of the flying device by emitting a laser beam to the flying device and receiving said laser beam after reflection on a corner cube located on said flying device
Implementation Method 2
receiving said laser beam after reflection on a corner cube located on said flying device
Data Source
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AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to make it possible for an inspection operator to carry out a hammering sound inspection without it being necessary for the inspection operator to perform an operation to move an inspection device to the location to be inspected, and to make it possible to carry out a hammering sound inspection even with respect to a location to be tested that is difficult for a vehicle to reach. This inspection system is provided with: a flying device provided with a hammering sound inspection unit which performs an inspection by hitting a location to be inspected from a prescribed relative position relative to the location to be inspected, and a flying unit on which the hammering sound inspection unit is mounted and which flies; a ground-side device which is installed in a fixed relative position relative to the location to be inspected and which detects the position of the flying device; and a flight instruction unit which, on the basis of the position of the flying device as detected by the ground-side device, controls the flying device in such a way that the forward direction of the flying device is oriented from the ground-side device toward the location to be inspected.