Submarine Pipe Run Alignment via Augmented Reality Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of pipe courses in submarines due to limited space requires efficient adaptation of CAD models to real environments, often involving cumbersome wire models and potential collisions, necessitating a simpler and quicker method for accurate alignment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves superimposing the CAD model onto a video recording of the submarine environment using augmented reality, with optical markers and a calibration tool to align the virtual pipe run with the real environment, allowing for interactive adjustments and precise alignment using a touchscreen PC and video camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If wire models are used to check pipe run accuracy and collisions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital 3D model (virtual copy) of the pipe run that can be manipulated and measured without physical wire models. This digital copy contains all geometric information needed for accuracy checking and collision detection, eliminating the need for complex physical wire models while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire model system with a computational system using 3D modeling software. Instead of physically deforming and measuring wire models, the system uses digital modeling, rendering, and automated collision detection algorithms to achieve the same verification purposes with reduced complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wire models are manually deformed to fit installation sites, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic 3D modeling where the pipe run geometry can be easily modified through software operations. The digital model allows for rapid adjustment of pipe trajectories, diameters, and routing to adapt to different installation conditions without the time-consuming manual deformation process required by physical wire models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary 3D modeling and collision detection before actual pipe installation. By identifying and resolving potential conflicts in the digital model beforehand, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site adjustments and deformations, allowing direct installation according to the pre-validated design.
3Measurement precision
If coordinate measuring machines are used to measure wire models, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces coordinate measuring machines with automated 3D rendering and comparison algorithms. The system digitally generates the expected pipe geometry from the 3D model, renders it with appropriate visual properties, and automatically compares it with photographs or other measurement data, achieving high measurement precision without the time and complexity of physical measuring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the pipe run with precise geometric information from the 3D model. This digital copy serves as the reference for measurement and comparison, eliminating the need for physical measurement instruments while maintaining or improving measurement precision through automated computational methods.
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 simplifies the adaptation process, enabling quick and accurate alignment of pipe runs within the submarine environment, reducing the need for wire models and ensuring collision-free installations with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
optical markers, which mark a central axis of the pipe run in the video recording of the real environment
Implementation Method 2
the CAD model of the pipe run is superimposed on a video recording of the real environment in the submarine to form an augmented reality display
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves overlaying a computer aided design-model of a pipe run of a video recorder of real environment for an augmented-reality-display, and changing the geometry of the pipe run in a nonconforming area by an interactive editor. The optical markers are used in the augmented-reality-display for calibration of the pipe run, where a center axis of the pipe run is marked by the optical markers in the video recording of the real environment. A calibration tool is arranged for calibration of the pipe run in the real environment. An independent claim is provided for a calibration tool for calibrating pipe run in augmented-reality-display of computer aided design-model adapting method.