Tracking Unit for Detecting Discrepancies on Moving Aircraft Fuselage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current discrepancy detection systems fail to accurately locate and indicate discrepancies on moving target objects, such as a rotating aircraft fuselage, during the manufacturing process, leading to potential structural integrity issues and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A local positioning-based detection system that includes a camera, a laser emitting device, an orienting mechanism, and a processor to track the target object's position and orientation, capture images, and compare them to reference images to detect discrepancies, while a motion actuator adjusts the object's position and orientation for precise detection and indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computerized detection systems are used to detect discrepancies, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system cannot successfully point out discrepancies on moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local positioning system (LPS) as an intermediary between the stationary detection system and the moving target object. The LPS tracks the object's position and orientation in real-time, providing coordinate transformation data that enables the detection system to accurately locate discrepancies on moving objects. This mediator resolves the contradiction by decoupling the stationary detection hardware from the moving target through real-time position tracking and coordinate system transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of moving the detection system with the target object with an optical/electronic tracking system. Instead of physically relocating the detection equipment, the system uses a camera-based local positioning system to optically track the target object's position and orientation, substituting mechanical movement with electronic tracking and computational coordinate transformation.
2Ease of operation
If human or visual based detection systems are used, then operation simplicity is improved, but detection reliability deteriorates due to frequent errors
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system performs self-calibration and automatic coordinate transformation without requiring manual intervention. The local positioning system automatically tracks the target object's position and orientation, and the processor autonomously transforms discrepancy locations from image coordinates to target object coordinates, enabling the system to serve itself and maintain high reliability without complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human visual inspection with an automated computerized detection system using a camera and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates human error while maintaining operational simplicity through automated image capture, processing, and discrepancy location calculation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and detection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If discrepancy detection is performed on minute discrepancies near bond lines, then detection precision is improved, but detection reliability worsens due to detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent components: image capture by camera, image processing to identify discrepancies, local positioning system for tracking target object position and orientation, and coordinate transformation to locate discrepancies on the target object. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the local positioning system providing precise position data that enhances the detection of minute discrepancies near bond lines while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The local positioning system acts as an intermediary that provides real-time position and orientation data of the target object, enabling precise location of minute discrepancies. By introducing this mediator layer between the image capture and discrepancy identification processes, the system can accurately locate even minute discrepancies near bond lines while maintaining high detection reliability through real-time position tracking and coordinate transformation.
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 accurate detection and location of discrepancies on moving objects, ensuring timely identification and potential repair, thereby maintaining structural integrity and reducing repair costs.
Implementation Method 1
a laser emitting device configured as a laser range meter and positioned to project a laser beam onto said target object, wherein the laser emitting device is configured to determine an initial position of said local positioning system instrument relative to said target object
Implementation Method 2
a camera positioned to capture an image of the target object... analyze the image to detect a discrepancy in the image by comparing said image to a reference image stored in a memory
Data Source
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AI summary
A detection system including a target object having a target object coordinate system, a tracking unit configured to monitor a position and/or an orientation of the target object and generate a target object position signal indicative of the position and/or the orientation of the target object, a camera positioned to capture an image of the target object, an orienting mechanism connected to the camera to control an orientation of the camera relative to the target object, and a processor configured to analyze the image to detect a discrepancy in the image and, when the discrepancy is present in the image, determine a location of the discrepancy relative to the target object coordinate system based at least upon the target object position signal and the orientation of the camera, and then orient the camera and laser to aim at and point out the discrepancy.