Rotating Laser Cavity Measurement System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring internal parameters of cavities within objects, such as aircraft wings, are inefficient as they often require disassembly, which is undesirable and can lead to damage or inability to ensure compliance with design specifications, posing safety and cost concerns.

Innovation Solution

A scanning system comprising a rotating mechanism, a mounting arm with a light source and mirror, and a tracking mechanism, which allows for non-destructive measurement of internal parameters by emitting coherent light and tracking distances to create a three-dimensional model of the cavity without disassembling the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the wing is taken apart to measure internal cavities, then measurement access is improved, but the wing becomes unusable and manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement access to internal cavitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical disassembly with an optical measurement system. A laser scanner emits coherent light through the wing structure to capture internal cavity geometry without physical contact or disassembly, substituting mechanical intrusion with optical non-contact measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces coherent light as an intermediary to penetrate the wing structure and capture internal cavity information. The laser scanner acts as a mediator that transmits measurement data through the wing material without requiring physical access or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the wing is taken apart to measure internal cavities, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the risk of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement tools that require physical access with an optical scanning system. The laser scanner uses coherent light to capture internal cavity geometry, eliminating the need to disassemble the wing and thereby removing the risk of mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital 3D model (copy) of the internal cavity geometry through laser scanning. This virtual replica captures all necessary measurement data without requiring physical access to or manipulation of the actual cavity, eliminating damage risk while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If trust is placed in manufactured wings without measurement, then productivity is improved, but safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs measurement verification before the wing is assembled into the aircraft. The laser scanner captures internal cavity dimensions and compares them against design specifications, providing preliminary verification that ensures safety before final assembly and flight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measured internal cavity dimensions are compared against design tolerances. The system provides real-time verification feedback to ensure manufacturing compliance, allowing corrective action before assembly and ensuring safety through documented measurement verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise measurement of internal parameters within cavities of complex shapes and sizes, such as aircraft parts, without damaging the object, ensuring compliance with design specifications and reducing manufacturing costs and risks.

Implementation Method 1

The light source emits a coherent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoherent light emission: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The scanning mechanism also includes a mirror connected to the mounting arm, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect the coherent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The tracking mechanism measures a distance from the tracking mechanism to the scanning mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS7557914B2Rotating laser measurement system
Publication Date: 2009.07.07 THE BOEING CO
  • US7557914B2 patent drawing
  • US7557914B2 patent drawing
  • US7557914B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus including a scanning mechanism, a tracking mechanism, and a processing unit. The scanning mechanism includes a rotating mechanism, a mounting arm rotatably attached to the rotating mechanism, and a light source connected to the mounting arm. The scanning mechanism also includes a mirror connected to the mounting arm, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect the coherent light. The scanning mechanism also includes a measuring system attached to the mounting arm. The measuring system measures a parameter associated with an object on which the coherent light falls. The tracking mechanism is in communication with the scanning mechanism. The tracking mechanism measures a distance from the tracking mechanism to the scanning mechanism. The processing unit is in communication with the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism. The processing unit collects measurement information from the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism.