Remote Inspection Data Processing for Single-Pass Asset Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection apparatuses face challenges in efficiently collecting and processing data for industrial assets due to power consumption and weight constraints, leading to incomplete data or the need for multiple inspection passes, which are time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A remote processing device that offloads data processing from onboard systems, receiving unprocessed data from inspection vehicles and generating visualizations, such as fluid data maps, to facilitate longer missions and more accurate issue detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If on-board processing is performed by inspection apparatuses, then data processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data processing function from the inspection apparatus and relocates it to a remote server. The inspection apparatus only performs data collection and transmission, while the remote server handles the computationally intensive processing tasks. This separation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for heavy onboard processing hardware, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining data processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the inspection apparatus and the remote server. This intermediary enables the transfer of raw data and processed results without requiring the inspection apparatus to have full processing capabilities, allowing the system to maintain automation while offloading computational demands to the remote server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If on-board processing hardware is added to inspection apparatuses, then data processing capability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data processing function from the inspection apparatus and relocates it to a remote server. The inspection apparatus only performs data collection and transmission, while the remote server handles the computationally intensive processing tasks. This separation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for heavy onboard processing hardware, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining data processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If multiple inspection passes are performed to collect complete data, then data completeness is improved, but inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the inspection apparatus collect only the necessary raw data during a single pass, without attempting to process or analyze it onboard. The remote server then performs comprehensive processing on the collected data, extracting complete information through advanced algorithms. This approach achieves data completeness in a single inspection pass, eliminating the need for multiple passes and reducing inspection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Measurement precision

If on-board processing is performed, then data analysis capability is improved, but mission time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata analysis capabilityVSAvoidmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data processing function from the inspection apparatus and relocates it to a remote server. The inspection apparatus only performs data collection and transmission, while the remote server handles the computationally intensive processing tasks. This separation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for heavy onboard processing hardware, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining data processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3523995B1Method and system for remote processing and analysis of industrial asset inspection data
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3523995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3523995B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3523995B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote processing device for processing inspection data, collected by one or more inspection apparatuses includes a communication unit and an on-board computing device coupled to the communication device. The communication unit is configured to transmit data to and receive data from one or more inspection apparatuses. The on-board computing device includes at least one processor and a memory device coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to receive geotagged unprocessed image data from the inspection apparatuses over a first communication channel, receive geotagged fluid concentration data from the inspection apparatuses over a second communication channel, process the geotagged unprocessed image data into one or more image files, generate a fluid data map by overlaying the geotagged fluid concentration data over the one or more image files, and transmit the fluid data map to one or more remote computing devices.