Virtual 3D Engine Model Inspection with Component Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting aircraft gas turbine engines lack efficiency and accuracy, particularly in documenting damage and missing parts during inbound and outbound deliveries, and do not provide a holistic view of the engine and its components.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented data system that creates a virtual 3D model of an engine, links it to component-specific data using virtual data markers, and allows for the inspection and documentation of engine components in 3D and 2D formats, enabling remote maintenance and repair support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional inspection methods are used for aircraft gas turbine engines, then the inspection process is simple and does not require complex equipment, but the inspection efficiency and accuracy are low, and damage or missing parts are easily overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual 3D model (copy) of the physical engine that can be inspected without handling the actual engine. This virtual copy contains all geometric and component information, allowing multiple inspections and analyses without affecting the physical engine, thereby improving inspection efficiency while keeping the physical inspection process simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D images to a 3D virtual model, adding spatial dimensionality to the inspection process. This enables comprehensive viewing of all engine surfaces and components from any angle, improving detection accuracy without requiring complex physical inspection equipment
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive component data is documented for each engine component, then the inspection accuracy and completeness improve, but the data management complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engine into discrete components, each with its own virtual data marker containing specific information (part number, name, inspection intervals, etc.). This segmentation allows precise tracking and management of each component's data independently, improving inspection accuracy while organizing data in a structured, manageable way
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual data markers as intermediaries between the physical components and the digital data system. These markers serve as unique identifiers that link physical component locations to their corresponding data records, simplifying data management and retrieval while ensuring accurate component identification
3Loss of time
If physical inspection of each engine component is performed manually, then the equipment required is simple, but the time consumption and human error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating the virtual 3D model and placing virtual data markers on all components before the actual inspection takes place. This pre-prepared digital framework enables rapid data retrieval and comparison during inspection, significantly reducing inspection time while automating data management processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with automated digital systems. The virtual 3D model and associated software automatically track, store, and analyze component data, reducing reliance on manual inspection procedures and minimizing human error while decreasing overall inspection time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating a computer-implemented data system, includes: providing a virtual 3D engine model of an engine including a plurality of components; providing component-specific data associated with said each of the plurality of components; and virtually linking the virtual 3D engine model to the component-specific data by creating virtual data markers in the virtual 3D engine model at a coordinate of each of the plurality of components, and associating each virtual data marker with the component-specific data of its corresponding one of the plurality of components. In this regard, the component specific data may include, for example, part number, name, inspection intervals, etc. The engine may be an aircraft engine, and may further be an aircraft engine casing. Further, in addition to the virtual 3D engine model, the method may include providing 2D images of the plurality components, and the step of virtually linking may further include linking the 2D images to the component specific data.