Linear Asset Condition Mapping with Multi-Pass Data Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately and precisely measure the condition of linear assets like tracks, pipes, and roadways, as GPS signals can be blocked by tunnels or tall buildings, and measuring distances from known locations leads to accumulated errors, making it difficult to identify locations requiring repair or replacement.
Innovation Solution
An automated system traverses the linear asset multiple times, aligning measurements from different traversals to generate aligned data channels that identify locations needing repair or replacement, using survey modules equipped with ultrasonic testing, ground penetrating radar, lidar, cameras, and accelerometers to gather data on parameters like severity and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to measure location, then location can be obtained continuously, but GPS signals are blocked by tunnels and tall buildings leading to inaccurate or unavailable coordinates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference locations with known coordinates as intermediary points between GPS coverage areas. These reference locations serve as mediators that allow the system to maintain accurate positioning even when GPS signals are blocked, by measuring distances from these known reference points rather than relying directly on satellite signals in all areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the linear asset into segments defined by reference locations. Instead of relying on continuous GPS coverage across the entire asset, the system segments the measurement area into sections bounded by reference locations, allowing independent measurement and error containment within each segment
2Reliability
If distances are measured from known locations, then location can be determined without GPS, but accumulated error increases over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the linear asset into sections bounded by reference locations, limiting the maximum distance over which distance measurements are accumulated. This segmentation prevents error accumulation from extending over the entire length of the asset, as each segment is independently measured and calibrated from its reference locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple reference locations more frequently than the minimum single reference point would require. By establishing reference locations at intervals rather than sparsely, the system performs partial measurements over shorter distances multiple times, which reduces accumulated error compared to measuring the entire distance in one continuous measurement
3Measurement precision
If multiple traversals are conducted to improve measurement accuracy, then more data can be collected, but aligning measurements from different traversals becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reference locations as intermediary anchor points for aligning measurements from multiple traversals. Each traversal's measurements are independently aligned to the same reference location coordinates, serving as a common mediator that simplifies the alignment process compared to attempting to directly correlate measurements between traversals without fixed reference points
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measurements from reference locations as feedback to verify and adjust the alignment of data channels from different traversals. By continuously checking measurements against known reference location coordinates, the system can detect and correct misalignment issues, ensuring consistent positioning across multiple data collection passes
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
The system provides precise and accurate identification of locations requiring repair or replacement by aligning data channels, ensuring accurate alignment of measurements with asset locations, overcoming GPS signal interference and distance measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic testing
Implementation Method 2
ground penetrating radar
Implementation Method 3
lidar
Data Source
AI summary
An automated system measures a plurality of parameters representing conditions of a linear asset while traversing the asset, thereby generating a plurality of data channels representing measurements of the plurality of parameters along the asset. The linear asset may be traversed a plurality of times to obtain additional data within the data channels. For each data channel, measurements obtained from multiple traversals are aligned with each other. Measurements in the data channels are aligned with locations along the linear asset. The resulting aligned data channels may be used to identify locations along the linear asset requiring replacement and/or repair.