Wireless Optical Sensor Modules for Aircraft Control Surface Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft control surface rigging methods require human contact, posing safety risks and inefficiencies, especially when measuring complex control surfaces for accurate calibration and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote optical control surface indication system using sensor modules with laser devices and photodetectors to measure control surface positions non-contactually, broadcasting results to a central computer for processing and displaying measurement data, allowing for precise calibration without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contact-based rigging methods are used, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but safety risks increase due to human contact with hazardous energy sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems with an optical measurement system. A laser device projects a light pattern onto the control surface, and photodetectors capture the reflected light to determine position without physical contact. This substitution eliminates human exposure to hazardous moving parts and energy sources while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of laser light and photodetectors as a mediator between the measurement objective and the operator. The light pattern serves as an intermediary that carries measurement information without requiring direct human contact with the control surface, thereby improving safety.
2Productivity
If manual measurement methods are used, then calibration can be performed, but time consumption increases due to manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system performs self-service by automatically capturing the laser light pattern with photodetectors and processing the position data without requiring manual intervention for each measurement point. The system autonomously completes the calibration process, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual measurement methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement operations with an automated optical measurement system. The laser device and photodetectors work together to rapidly capture position data, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and operations, thereby increasing calibration productivity.
3Reliability
If non-contact optical measurement is implemented, then safety is improved by eliminating human contact, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the optical measurement parameters including laser wavelength, light pattern geometry, and photodetector sensitivity to achieve high measurement precision. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the system maintains accurate control surface position measurement while using non-contact optical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact measurement with an optimized optical measurement system that achieves comparable or superior precision. The laser light pattern and photodetector arrangement are designed to provide accurate position data without the limitations and safety risks of mechanical contact methods.
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 enables safe and efficient calibration of aircraft control surfaces by eliminating human contact with hazardous energy sources, reducing the need for manual measurements and allowing for automated data processing, thereby saving time and improving accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
detecting an object centroid where light scattered from the impingement line impinges on a row of photodetectors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods for optically measuring a position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position. The system is a wireless network comprising a centrally located data acquisition computer and a multiplicity of remotely located sensor modules mounted at different locations within wireless communication range of a central receiver. Each sensor module is mounted to a clamp that is made specific to a control surface location and embedded with an RFID tag to denote clamp location. The optical components of the sensor modules are selected to enable indication of the linear position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position and then broadcast the measurement results. The broadcast results are received by the central receiver and processed by the data acquisition computer, which hosts human interface software that displays measurement data.