Single-Piece Aircraft Structural Elements With Photogrammetry Targets

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft assembly is an intensive, time-consuming, and expensive process, and existing methods of attaching temporary photogrammetry targets increase assembly time and require removal before flight, while lacking accurate positioning and monitoring of structural elements.

Innovation Solution

Integrally forming photogrammetry targets on aircraft structural elements made from the same material, which can be tracked by a photogrammetry system for accurate positioning and monitoring, and incorporating sensors to measure parameters like force, stress, and deformation during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temporary photogrammetry targets are attached onto aircraft structural elements, then tracking during assembly is enabled, but assembly time increases and targets must be removed before flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed from the same material during the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, resolving the time loss contradiction while maintaining tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is formed in advance during the manufacturing of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming attachment operations during the assembly process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If temporary photogrammetry targets are attached onto aircraft structural elements, then tracking during assembly is enabled, but the targets require removal before flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed from the same material during the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, resolving the time loss contradiction while maintaining tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is formed in advance during the manufacturing of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming attachment operations during the assembly process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If photogrammetry targets are placed after formation of aircraft structural elements, then tracking is enabled, but positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photogrammetry target is formed in advance during the manufacturing of the aircraft structural element, before assembly begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming attachment operations during the assembly process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The photogrammetry target is merged with the aircraft structural element by being integrally formed from the same material during the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and removal operations, resolving the time loss contradiction while maintaining tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach enhances assembly accuracy and efficiency by providing real-time monitoring and improved positioning, reducing assembly time, and ensuring flightworthiness of the sensors and targets.

Implementation Method 1

A first aspect of the present invention provides an aircraft structural element configured to be assemblable into an aircraft structure, the aircraft structural element comprising an external surface having an integrally formed photogrammetry target.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotogrammetry: Photogrammetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250319991A1Aircraft structural element

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An aircraft structural element configured to be assemblable into an aircraft structure, the aircraft structural element including an external surface having an integrally formed photogrammetry target. The aircraft structural element, the integrally formed photogrammetry target and the external surface are formed of a common material composition and are a single piece structure. A photogrammetry system, aircraft assembly system and method of assembly of the aircraft structural element into the aircraft structure.