Metallic Powerplant Component Inspection via Complex-Plane Peak Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-destructive inspection methods for internal defects in components, such as aircraft powerplants, are not sufficiently efficient and require improvement in accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for inspecting a metallic component using a transducer to interrogate a metallic material by transmitting first signals into the component interrogating a metallic material interrogating a metallic material by transmitting first signals into the component and sensing second signals, producing component response signals, and processing these signals into complex numbers to identify signal peaks associated with physical characteristics or noise using a complex plane representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional non-destructive inspection methods are used, then inspection can be performed without damaging the component, but inspection accuracy and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into multiple sub bands, and signal peaks are identified within each sub band separately. This segmentation allows for more precise localization and characterization of defects, improving inspection accuracy while maintaining efficiency through automated processing of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms signal peaks from a one-dimensional frequency spectrum into a two-dimensional complex plane representation by calculating real and imaginary components. This dimensional transformation enables better distinction between actual defects and noise patterns, significantly improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If signal peaks are identified in frequency bands, then potential defects can be detected, but difficulty arises in distinguishing actual signal peaks from noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maps signal peaks from the frequency domain into a complex plane by calculating real and imaginary components. This creates a two-dimensional representation where actual defects form distinct patterns while noise appears as random scatter, making differentiation much easier and improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual representation in the complex plane where different characteristics of signal peaks are represented by different positional and pattern characteristics. This visual differentiation allows operators to easily distinguish between actual defects (forming coherent patterns) and noise (random patterns).
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive signal processing is performed to improve defect detection, then inspection accuracy improves, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is divided into sub bands, and processing is performed on each sub band independently. This segmentation allows for targeted processing that reduces overall computation time while maintaining high accuracy, as only relevant frequency ranges need to be processed in detail.
Solution Approach 2:
By transforming signals into the complex plane domain, the patent creates a representation where defect patterns are naturally separated from noise. This dimensional transformation simplifies subsequent processing requirements, as the structured patterns in the complex plane can be identified more efficiently than in the original frequency domain.
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 non-destructive inspection of internal defects in powerplant components with high accuracy and minimal downtime, distinguishing actual signal peaks from noise, and determining defect severity.
Implementation Method 1
using a transducer to interrogate a component comprising a solid metallic material by transmitting first signals into the component and sensing the component for second signals resulting from the first signals being transmitted into the component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inspecting a component for the presence or absence of a defect is provided that includes: using a transducer to interrogate a metallic component by transmitting first signals into the component and sensing the component for second signals resulting from the transmitted first signals, and producing component response signals within a frequency band representative of the second signals; selecting a signal peak of interest within from the component response signals, the signal peak of interest within a sub band of the frequency band; processing the component response signals within the sub band, the processing including converting the component response signals into complex numbers and producing a complex plane representation using the complex numbers; and using the complex plane representation, identify the signal peak of interest as associated with a physical characteristic of the component or associated with signal noise.