Mobile NDT Sensor Scanning for Large Object Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-destructive testing (NDT) of large objects like wheels for off-the-road vehicles is time-consuming and costly, often requiring transportation to locations with available NDT facilities, and skilled technicians may not be accessible at remote sites, leading to wasteful replacement of objects that could be repaired or are still in acceptable condition.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for inspecting objects using a support body that moves relative to the object in multiple directions, supported by the object, with sensors that adjust their position and orientation to facilitate non-destructive testing, allowing for efficient inspection without the need for transportation or skilled technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional NDT techniques are used to inspect large objects, then inspection accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is divided into multiple independent sensor units that can be distributed along the support body. Each sensor unit independently inspects a specific zone of the object surface, allowing parallel processing of inspection tasks and significantly reducing total inspection time while maintaining comprehensive coverage and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from point-based inspection to surface-based inspection by distributing sensors across a two-dimensional support body structure. This dimensional change enables simultaneous inspection of multiple surface areas, transforming the time-consuming sequential inspection process into a parallel surface-scanning process.
2Reliability
If skilled NDT technicians are deployed to remote locations, then inspection capability is improved, but availability and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is designed as an autonomous mobile unit that performs inspections independently without requiring skilled technicians. The system includes built-in sensors, processing capabilities, and navigation systems that enable it to autonomously inspect objects at remote locations, eliminating dependency on technician availability while maintaining reliable inspection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical human-based inspection process with an automated sensor-based system. Electronic sensors, image processing algorithms, and automated data analysis replace the manual skills and expertise of NDT technicians, enabling inspections at locations where human technicians cannot be physically present.
3Measurement precision
If objects are transported to NDT facilities, then inspection quality is improved, but transportation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting the large object to a fixed inspection facility, the system inverts the approach by bringing the inspection capability to the object's location. The mobile inspection system travels to remote sites where objects need inspection, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming transportation of the objects themselves while maintaining high inspection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed as a universal mobile platform that can inspect various types of objects at different locations. The same system can service multiple clients and locations without requiring dedicated facilities for each inspection type, reducing overall transportation and facility requirements while maintaining consistent inspection quality across different applications.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive NDT procedures are applied, then defect detection accuracy is improved, but inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous contact with the object surface through the support body, allowing uninterrupted scanning and inspection. Sensors continuously capture data across the entire surface area without requiring periodic stops for data transfer or processing interruptions, enabling comprehensive inspection at high speed through continuous useful action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary surface preparation and positioning actions automatically as part of the inspection process. The support body automatically adjusts its position and the sensors are pre-positioned on the object surface before inspection begins, eliminating time-consuming manual preparation steps while maintaining thorough defect detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inspecting an object includes: moving a support body relative to the object in a first direction along a surface of the object; wherein the support body supports at least one sensor such that moving the support body relative to the object in the first direction causes the at least one sensor to move relative to the object in the first direction; and wherein the at least one sensor is movable relative to the support body in a second direction along the surface of the object and different from the first direction during at least a portion of time while moving the support body relative to the object in the first direction. Apparatuses are also disclosed.