Wireless Optical Surface Position Sensing for Aircraft Rigging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft control surface rigging methods require human contact, posing safety risks and inefficiencies, especially when measuring complex control surfaces, as they often rely on manual measurements and direct interaction with hazardous aircraft components.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote optical control surface indication system using sensor modules with optical components and RFID tags, which measure control surface positions relative to a reference surface and transmit data wirelessly to a central computer, allowing non-contact calibration and reducing the need for human presence during the rigging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual measurement methods are used for control surface rigging, then direct human contact with control surfaces is required, but safety risks increase and measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an optical measurement system. Optical sensors and cameras capture images of control surfaces, and image processing algorithms automatically determine positions and alignments. This substitution eliminates the need for human contact with hazardous aircraft components while maintaining measurement accuracy, thereby improving both safety and efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical measurement system between the human operator and the control surface. Instead of humans directly contacting and measuring control surfaces, the optical sensors act as intermediaries that capture visual data, which is then processed by computer algorithms to determine rigging parameters. This intermediary layer protects operators from hazards while enabling efficient remote measurement
2Loss of time
If traditional rigging methods are used, then human presence is required during measurement, but this increases safety risks and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the measurement system to serve itself through automated image capture and processing. The optical sensors automatically capture images of control surfaces, and built-in image processing algorithms automatically analyze the images to determine positions and alignments without requiring continuous human intervention. This automation reduces both time consumption and the need for human presence in hazardous areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement procedures with automated optical measurement and image processing. The system rapidly captures multiple images and processes them through algorithms that automatically determine rigging parameters, significantly reducing measurement time while eliminating human exposure to hazardous aircraft energy
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration procedures are used, then human contact with control surfaces is necessary, but this reduces measurement precision and increases safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual calibration procedures with automated optical measurement systems that use cameras and image processing algorithms. These systems can capture high-resolution images and precisely determine control surface positions, orientations, and alignments without human contact. The automated image analysis provides measurement precision comparable to or exceeding manual methods while completely eliminating human exposure to hazardous areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the control surfaces and performs measurements on these digital representations rather than requiring direct physical contact with the actual surfaces. The image processing algorithms analyze the copied visual data to determine precise positions and alignments, maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating the need for human presence in hazardous zones
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
This system enables precise, safe, and efficient calibration of aircraft control surfaces by eliminating human contact with hazardous areas, reducing the time required for rigging jobs, and allowing for automated data processing and inspection, thereby enhancing safety and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
project a curtain of light in a first plane from the laser device onto the measurement surface to form an impingement line
Implementation Method 2
detect an object centroid where light scattered from the impingement line impinges on a row of photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for optically measuring a position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position. The system is a wireless network comprising a centrally located data acquisition computer and a multiplicity of remotely located sensor modules mounted at different locations within wireless communication range of a central receiver. Each sensor module is mounted to a clamp that is made specific to a control surface location and embedded with an RFID tag to denote clamp location. The optical components of the sensor modules are selected to enable indication of the linear position of a measurement surface relative to a reference position and then broadcast the measurement results. The broadcast results are received by the central receiver and processed by the data acquisition computer, which hosts human interface software that displays measurement data.