Volumetric NDE Data Visualization for Industrial Component Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-destructive examination methods for industrial components require significant time and expertise to analyze data, leading to subjective assessments and high conservatism due to the complexity of material discontinuity determination, especially for non-surface conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-aided inspection and analysis framework that transforms non-destructive examination data into volumetric representations, allowing inspectors to navigate and assess industrial components using a graphical user interface, facilitating the identification and measurement of discontinuities, and enabling the fusion of data from multiple sensors and methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual data analysis by human inspector is used, then expertise and experience can be applied to detect discontinuities, but inspection time and subjectivity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated data processing system that acts as an intermediary between the inspection data and the human inspector. The system automatically processes raw inspection data, generates visual representations, and presents findings to the inspector, thereby reducing the time the inspector spends on manual data analysis while maintaining expertise-based evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of data analysis with an automated computer-based system. The automated system performs data processing, visualization, and initial assessment tasks that were previously done manually by inspectors, significantly reducing inspection time while allowing inspectors to focus on higher-level evaluation.
2Productivity
If automated data processing is implemented, then inspection time is reduced, but data visualization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing system into distinct functional modules: data acquisition, data processing, visualization generation, and inspector interface. This modular approach manages complexity by organizing the automated system into manageable, independent components that can be developed and maintained separately while working together to improve inspection efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If detailed data analysis is performed to reduce conservatism, then assessment accuracy improves, but inspection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated system provides processed data and visual representations back to the inspector, who then applies expertise-based judgment. This feedback loop allows detailed data analysis to be performed automatically while the inspector's expertise guides the final assessment, reducing conservatism without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects is provided. A graphic user interface facilitates interaction between a Data Visualization and Analysis application and the inspector. The Data Visualization and Analysis application acquires non-destructive examination data that is collected with reference to an industrial component under evaluation. The acquired non-destructive examination data is transformed into a visualization defined by a volumetric representation that is rendered on at least one display device as at least one view representative of the component under evaluation. The inspector may navigate the volumetric representation to investigate the integrity of the industrial component including non-surface conditions thereof.