Wireless Inclinometer for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inclinometer devices for measuring the attitude of large vehicles and structures face challenges in accuracy due to human interpretation requirements and difficulties with wireless connectivity in harsh environments, especially in metal objects like aircraft, where inclement weather and wind conditions complicate installation and wired connections are problematic.

Innovation Solution

An inclinometer device with a wireless communication interface housed in a casing designed for hazardous environments, capable of measuring attitude data with high accuracy (0.01 degrees) and transmitting it to a user or remote system, eliminating the need for human interpretation and external power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used for power and data transmittal in digital levels, then power supply and data communication are reliable, but installation becomes difficult on metal objects like aircraft and wired connections are problematic in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The inclinometer device uses wireless transmitters to send attitude data and receives power wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cables and connectors that are difficult to install on aircraft and problematic in harsh environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power transmission and data communication functions from physical cable connections and implements them through wireless energy and data transmission systems, removing the harmful aspect of wired connections while maintaining the essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If plum bobs and spirit levels are used for leveling measurements, then installation is simple, but human interpretation is required which reduces measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidleveling measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (plum bobs, spirit levels) with digital electronic sensors and automated processing systems. The inclinometer uses electronic sensors to detect orientation and automatically processes the data, eliminating human interpretation errors while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic measurement and data processing without requiring human interpretation. The inclinometer device autonomously measures attitude data, processes the information, and provides readings, making the system self-sufficient in terms of measurement interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If wireless leveling devices are used to avoid wired connections, then installation ease improves, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidpitch and roll measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite design combining robust electronic sensors, protective housing, and wireless communication capabilities. The device integrates multiple subsystems (sensors, processors, wireless transmitters) into a unified package that maintains high measurement accuracy while operating reliably in harsh environments without wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes operational parameters such as signal transmission frequency, sensor sensitivity, and processing algorithms to maintain high measurement accuracy in harsh environments. The system adapts its operational parameters to compensate for environmental challenges while preserving wireless operation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If traditional inclinometer devices are used without specialized housing, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates in hazardous environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing structure complexityVSAvoidoperation reliability in hazardous environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies specialized protective housing with specific properties (weather resistance, impact resistance, corrosion resistance) tailored to the harsh environment requirements. The casing is designed with localized protective features where needed while maintaining overall device functionality and reasonable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8914986B1Inclinometer device and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Inclinometer devices and methods of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The inclinometer device includes an inclinometer for measuring attitude data of an object, a wireless communication interface for communicating the object attitude data, and a casing. The casing is configured to house the inclinometer and the wireless communication device, and is further configured for use in hazardous environments.