Robotic Engine Servicing With In-Place Inspection Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of servicing gas turbine engines require disassembly and uninstallation from aircraft, which are costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A robotic assembly equipped with an environmental capture device and computing devices for autonomous or semi-autonomous inspection and repair, capable of navigating and servicing gas turbine engines on-wing, near-wing, or at separate locations, using machine learning to create and update workscopes, and ensuring no repair equipment is left behind.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional servicing methods are used (disassembly and uninstallation), then inspection and repair can be performed, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic assembly is divided into multiple independent modules including environmental capture devices, computing devices, and repair equipment. This segmentation allows the system to perform inspection and repair functions simultaneously without requiring complete disassembly of the engine, thereby reducing servicing time while maintaining inspection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic assembly acts as an intermediary between human operators and the turbine engine. It captures environmental information, performs inspections, and executes repair operations without requiring human personnel to physically disassemble the engine, significantly reducing servicing time while maintaining or improving inspection accuracy through advanced sensors and imaging capabilities.
2Ease of repair
If the engine is uninstalled from the aircraft for servicing, then repair operations can be performed, but operational efficiency decreases due to increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic assembly is equipped with autonomous navigation and self-positioning capabilities that allow it to service the engine while installed in the aircraft. The system can independently move to required positions, perform inspections, and execute repair operations without removing the engine from the aircraft, thereby maintaining repair accessibility while significantly improving operational efficiency by eliminating uninstallation and reinstallation processes.
3Ease of operation
If manual inspection methods are used, then equipment can be serviced, but the risk of leaving repair equipment behind increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic assembly incorporates environmental capture devices that continuously monitor the servicing area and compare pre-service and post-service conditions. The computing device analyzes this information to detect any anomalies or missing equipment. This feedback mechanism provides real-time verification that all repair equipment has been removed, ensuring process completeness while maintaining operational simplicity through automated monitoring and alerting.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.