Structural Health Management System Integrity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nondestructive testing methods for aircraft structural integrity are costly and prone to operational delays, and existing structural health management systems face challenges in meeting certification requirements due to the financial prohibitive nature of redundant components and ensuring the detection of structural damage with high probability.
Innovation Solution
A structural health management system comprising a plurality of sensors that establish baseline and calibration data sets to verify system integrity, using time-of-flight measurements and recalibration processes to ensure accurate structural characterization and maintain functional integrity, thereby reducing the need for redundant components and operational delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nondestructive testing schemes with certified inspectors are used, then structural integrity can be monitored, but significant costs and operational delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The structural health management system enables the aircraft structure to self-monitor its own condition through embedded sensors that continuously detect structural parameters without requiring external inspector intervention. This self-service capability eliminates operational delays while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection systems with automated sensor-based electronic monitoring systems. Ultrasonic, acoustic, and strain sensors continuously collect structural data, substituting the mechanical inspection process with an automated electronic system that operates without human intervention.
2Measurement precision
If detailed inspection data is collected for accurate trending analysis, then potential problems can be identified, but data preservation detail and accuracy are insufficient in current approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data is collected, processed, and used to update structural health assessments in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that detailed inspection data is preserved and utilized for accurate trending analysis and early problem detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and processing by embedding sensors that continuously monitor structural parameters before problems develop. This preliminary action preserves detailed inspection data in real-time, enabling accurate trending analysis and early detection of potential issues.
3Reliability
If redundant sensors and electronics are used to meet functional integrity requirements, then safety requirements can be satisfied, but the system becomes financially prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of sensors by implementing recalibration procedures that adjust sensor sensitivity and measurement ranges based on actual structural conditions. This parameter adjustment allows existing sensors to maintain functional integrity without requiring redundant components, reducing system cost while satisfying safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic recalibration where sensor parameters are continuously adjusted based on environmental conditions and structural state changes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high reliability with fewer sensors by optimizing their performance in real-time rather than using static redundant configurations.
4Productivity
If ultrasonic transducers are installed on the aircraft fuselage for real-time monitoring, then operational costs are reduced, but certification requirements become more difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the structural health monitoring system into modular sensor units and processing segments that can be independently certified. Each sensor module and processing function can be validated separately, simplifying the overall certification process while maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities that improve operational efficiency.
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 effectively verifies the integrity of the structural health management system, reducing costs and operational delays while meeting certification requirements by ensuring the detection of structural damage with high probability, thus enhancing aircraft availability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic transducers are installed on the inside surface of the aircraft fuselage
Implementation Method 2
time-of-flight measurements between each of the plurality of sensors and neighboring sensor
Implementation Method 3
The structural health management system uses elastic wave propagation and time-of-flight measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed wherein a plurality of sensors mounted on a structure, a baseline data set for each of the plurality of sensors and a calibration procedure verify the integrity of a structural health management system. Initially a baseline data set is established. Before performing the structural health assessment a calibration-in data set for each of the plurality of sensors is collected. The calibration-in data set is compared to the baseline data set for each sensor of the plurality of sensors. If the calibration-in data set and the baseline data set match then a structure characterization is performed. If the calibration-in data set and the baseline data set do not match, a calibration-out procedure is performed to generate a calibration-out data set. If the calibration-out data set and the calibration-in data sets match, then a determination is made that the structural health management system was working.