Snake-Arm Robot Deployment of Reusable Engine Servicing Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional servicing devices, whether rigid or flexible, face limitations in accessing complex engine paths and achieving precise positioning within aircraft engines, and are often not reusable across different locations or engines.
Innovation Solution
A snake-arm robot is used to position and deploy reusable servicing devices, such as flexible or rigidizable guide tubes, allowing precise placement and flexible use by acting as a guide tube or guide rod, enabling the snake-arm robot to be removed while leaving the device in place for maintenance or inspection tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid servicing devices are used, then structural stability is maintained, but accessibility to complex engine paths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The servicing device employs a dynamically adjustable structure that can transition between rigid and flexible states. The guide tube can be rigid when structural stability is needed and flexible when navigating complex engine paths, allowing the device to adapt its mechanical properties based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its physical parameters (rigidity, flexibility, shape) to suit different operational phases. During insertion and positioning, the guide tube adopts a flexible configuration to navigate complex paths, then transitions to a rigid state for stable maintenance operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flexible servicing devices are used, then accessibility to complex paths is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube dynamically transitions from a flexible insertion mode to a rigid positioning mode. During navigation through complex paths, the device remains flexible, then locks into a rigid configuration at the target location to achieve precise positioning for maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The servicing device is divided into segments that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the distal end to be precisely positioned while the proximal end remains flexible for navigation, enabling both adaptability and positioning precision simultaneously
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional servicing devices are used, then initial deployment is simple, but reusability across different locations or engines is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube is designed as a universal, reusable device that can be deployed to multiple different locations within various engine types. The device incorporates standardized interfaces and programmable positioning capabilities that allow it to adapt to different engine configurations without requiring custom modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses programmable control systems that can store and reproduce positioning data for different engine locations. Once the guide tube is positioned at a specific location, the positioning parameters can be saved and reused for future operations at the same or similar locations across different engines
Data Source
AI summary
A snake-arm robot and a servicing device are mechanically coupled. The mechanical coupling is accomplished by a longitudinal insertion of the snake-arm robot into the servicing device or the servicing device into the snake-arm robot. An actuator moves the snake-arm robot through a passage within an engine until the snake-arm robot reaches a desired location. The movement of the snake-arm robot concurrently moves the servicing device through the passage. Subsequently, the snake-arm robot is de-coupled from the servicing device and the snake-arm robot is removed from the engine while leaving the servicing device in place within the engine.