Wireless NDT System Remote Control via Cloud Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-destructive testing (NDT) systems face inefficiencies in data sharing and collaboration, relying on physical portable memory devices or paper, which slows down the process of inspecting and maintaining complex equipment due to geographical and operational constraints.
Innovation Solution
A distributed NDT system utilizing wireless conduits and cloud-based technologies to communicatively couple NDT inspection devices with mobile devices like tablets and augmented reality eyeglasses, enabling remote control, enhanced data visualization, and collaborative workflows across various systems and entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is shared using portable memory devices or paper, then data can be transferred between NDT personnel, but the data sharing process is slow and depends on physical dispatch speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical portable memory devices and paper with an electronic wireless communication system. NDT devices connect to a network allowing real-time data transmission between operators, eliminating the need for physical media transport and enabling instant data sharing across geographical distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary that facilitates data exchange between NDT devices and operators. The server receives data from NDT devices, stores it, and makes it accessible to authorized personnel, acting as a central mediator that enables efficient collaborative workflows without direct peer-to-peer physical media transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NDT operators are geographically separated, then collaboration can occur across different locations, but data sharing and coordination become less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal platform that supports multiple NDT device types (ultrasonic, radiographic, magnetic particle, etc.) and multiple communication methods (wireless, wired, cloud-based). This universal system allows operators from different geographical locations to access and share data from various NDT devices through a common interface, maintaining productivity despite spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of virtual space through network connectivity, allowing NDT operators to collaborate in a digital environment that transcends physical geographical constraints. Data and control signals traverse the network dimension, enabling real-time coordination between operators located in different physical spaces without the efficiency loss traditionally associated with remote collaboration.
3Ease of operation
If remote control of NDT devices is implemented, then operators can control devices from distant locations, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where NDT devices automatically manage their own connectivity and data transmission. Devices autonomously connect to the network, transmit inspection data, and receive control commands without requiring complex manual configuration. The system handles device discovery, authentication, and data routing automatically, reducing the operational complexity despite enabling remote control capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system may include a non-destructive testing (NDT) device. The NDT device may further include a wireless system configured to communicate control data from an external system, wherein the NDT device is configured to use the control data to control a component included in the NDT device.