Knowledge Graph Structural Damage Support for Rapid ADL/RDL Lookup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of determining allowable damage limits (ADL) and repairable damage limits (RDL) in extensive Structural Repair Manuals (SRM) is time-consuming and tedious due to the manual navigation through thousands of pages, making it inefficient for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs).
Innovation Solution
A Digital Structural Repair Manual (DSRM) utilizing a Knowledge Graph (KG) integrated with a web-based application, employing natural language processing (NLP) and image processing to retrieve relevant information from SRM PDF documents, enabling quick lookup of ADL/RDL through a 3D model-based interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SRM is made extensive to cover all aircraft structural repair scenarios, then the completeness of repair information is improved, but the time required to locate relevant ADL/RDL information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical navigation through PDF pages with an automated digital information retrieval system. The system uses electronic databases and software interfaces to automatically search and retrieve ADL/RDL information based on damage parameters, eliminating the need for manual page-by-page review while maintaining access to comprehensive repair data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary digital information retrieval system that acts as a mediator between the extensive SRM database and the maintenance personnel. This intermediary system processes queries, searches through the comprehensive repair manual data, and delivers relevant ADL/RDL information, thereby reducing the time required to access complete repair information.
2Measurement precision
If the SRM is organized with detailed sections and tables to ensure accurate damage assessment, then the precision of damage limit determination is improved, but the complexity of navigation through the manual increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual navigation through complex SRM sections and tables with an automated digital retrieval system. The system electronically searches and retrieves precise damage limit data based on input parameters, eliminating the need for personnel to manually navigate through detailed sections while maintaining access to precise determination data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the SRM information system that replicates the detailed repair manual data in an electronically accessible format. This digital copy allows for automated searching and retrieval of precise damage limit information without requiring physical navigation through the manual's complex structure.
3Reliability
If the AME manually checks multiple conditions and consolidates data from various chapters to ensure accurate damage assessment, then the reliability of the conclusion is improved, but the productivity of the maintenance process decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual condition checking and data consolidation with automated computational processes. The digital system automatically retrieves data from multiple sources, checks relevant conditions, and consolidates information to produce accurate damage assessments, thereby maintaining reliability while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the information retrieval system to perform self-service functions by automatically searching, retrieving, and consolidating data from various chapters and sections without human intervention. The system independently checks conditions and generates conclusions, maintaining accuracy while accelerating the assessment process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects herein use a Digital SRM (DSRM) with a maintenance user interface. In one embodiment, the DSRM is a Knowledge Graph (KG) of nodes and edges which uses natural language processing (NLP) and image processing to retrieve relevant information derived from SRM PDF documents. In the KG, Entity descriptions contribute to one another, forming a network, where each entity represents part of the description of the entities in which each entity is related. The entities have properties describing each entity and each entity is interlinked via relationships such as allowable damage limits (ADL).