Photography System for Rotating Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems for rotating blades in jet engines face challenges in accurately detecting the position and number of blades due to their cyclic motion, which complicates the generation of composite images and efficient observation.

Innovation Solution

A photography system that includes image sensors and sensors to detect cyclic variations in detection values, allowing for the calculation of blade positions and the number of blades by analyzing edge positions and pixel values, enabling precise image acquisition at predetermined positions during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If imaging systems capture images of rotating blades without precise position detection, then imaging can be performed continuously, but the accuracy of blade position detection and composite image generation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade position detection accuracyVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary device that detects the position of rotating blades and provides position information to the control unit. This mediator enables precise blade position detection without requiring complex imaging system modifications, as the sensor separately captures position data that guides the imaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of blade positions using the sensor before capturing images. The control unit uses the detected position information to determine optimal imaging timing and trigger image capture at precise moments when blades are at predetermined positions, ensuring measurement precision without continuous complex imaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system images all blades during rotation, then complete observation is achieved, but the time required for imaging and composite image generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobservation completenessVSAvoidimaging and processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor performs preliminary detection of blade positions and identifies when blades are at predetermined positions before image capture. This preliminary action allows the control unit to trigger imaging only at necessary moments, ensuring complete observation of all blades while minimizing the total imaging and processing time by avoiding unnecessary continuous capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic detection cycles where the sensor continuously monitors blade positions and triggers image capture at regular intervals corresponding to each blade passing through predetermined positions. This periodic action ensures all blades are observed while maintaining efficient timing that reduces overall processing time compared to continuous imaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple sensors to detect blade positions, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade position detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection function into separate components: a sensor for position detection and an imaging section for visual capture. This segmentation allows the sensor to focus on precise position detection while the imaging system focuses on visual documentation, improving overall measurement precision without requiring the imaging system to perform dual functions that would increase its complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2778740B1Photography system
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2778740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778740B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2778740B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A photography system includes: an observation scope inserted into a hole of a case in which a plurality of subjects, which are cyclically disposed around a rotary shaft and rotate around the rotary shaft, are housed along with the rotary shaft and the hole is formed to penetrate through the case, the observation scope being configured to sequentially acquire light from the plurality of subjects; an imaging section configured to generate an image by continuously imaging light acquired by the observation scope; a sensor configured to continuously detect states of the plurality of subjects which rotate and sequentially output detection values; and an image acquisition section configured to detect a position of the subject based on cyclic variation of the detection value and acquire the image including the subject at the detected position which is a predetermined position.