3D Inspection Drone Stabilization for Surface Contour Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring surface defects on large objects like aircraft, wind turbines, and engineering structures require human presence and are inefficient, especially when dealing with multiple defects or large areas, as they either require physical access or lack precision in positioning and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A motorized flying craft equipped with a three-dimensional measurement apparatus and an automatic management system that allows for remote contour measurement of surface defects, switching between navigation and stabilized modes to minimize vibrations and ensure precise, non-contact measurements with accuracy up to 0.1 mm from 50 to 100 cm distance, and provides the position of defects relative to reference points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If contactless 3D scanner solutions are used, then measurement speed and productivity are improved, but physical access requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based measurement devices to aerial drones operating in three-dimensional space. This allows the measurement system to access surface defects from above, eliminating the need for physical access to the object's surface and enabling measurement of previously inaccessible areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems with optical measurement technology. The optical system uses light to detect and measure surface defects without physical contact, thereby improving measurement speed and eliminating mechanical access constraints.
2Device complexity
If depth gauge solutions are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy and automation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system incorporates autonomous navigation and automated measurement capabilities. The drone can independently position itself, stabilize during measurement, and automatically capture defect data without requiring operator intervention for positioning, thereby achieving high precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses stabilization mechanisms that provide real-time feedback to maintain the drone's position and orientation during measurement. This feedback control ensures measurement accuracy by compensating for vibrations and positional drift, achieving precision comparable to complex stabilized systems.
3Productivity
If manual depth gauge measurements are performed, then equipment portability is maintained, but operational time and human intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system performs autonomous navigation, automated defect detection, and self-stabilization during measurement. The system can independently execute the complete measurement workflow without continuous human intervention, dramatically reducing operational time and automation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone pre-positions itself and stabilizes before measurement begins. The stabilization system is activated in advance to minimize vibrations during data capture, ensuring measurement quality is prepared beforehand rather than requiring post-processing corrections.
4Measurement precision
If stabilized measurement mode is activated, then measurement precision is improved, but response time and operational flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The drone alternates between navigation mode for rapid movement and stabilized measurement mode for precise data collection. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain high response time during transit while achieving high measurement precision when needed, optimizing both speed and accuracy throughout the inspection process.
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 quick, accurate, and automated contour measurement of multiple regions without human intervention, reducing operational time and error, and providing detailed depth maps of defects for efficient maintenance and fuel consumption optimization.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus for three-dimensional measurement of a region of interest... comprising a wave emission source, said wave being referred to as a reference wave, a matrix receiver of a wave reflected by said region of interest
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a motorized flying craft (10) for measuring the contour of a plurality of regions of interest (12a, 12b, 12c) of a surface of a predetermined object (9) to be inspected, said flying craft (10) comprising a carrier frame (20) and motorized means (11, 13) for lifting and moving said carrier frame (20). The flying craft is characterized in that it further comprises an apparatus (14) for three-dimensional measurement of a region of interest (12a, 12b, 12c) targeted by said apparatus (14), and a management system (34, 35) of said craft configured to be able to switch said craft from a navigation mode, in which the craft can be moved from one region of interest to a subsequent region of interest, to a stabilized mode, in which said motorized lifting and movement means (11, 13) are controlled so as to be able to keep at least one kinematic parameter of said craft constant, making it possible to minimize the vibration of said craft, and in which said measurement apparatus (14) can acquire a three-dimensional measurement of a region of interest.