Woven Composite Yarn Spacing Measurement via 3D Autocorrelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-destructive inspection methods for characterizing woven fiber reinforcement in composite materials, such as those used in aviation engine parts, are impractical and subjective, often requiring tedious two-dimensional analysis and being sensitive to noise, making them difficult to automate and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing autocorrelation values from three-dimensional images to determine the distance between neighboring yarns by detecting local extrema in the autocorrelation image, which eliminates subjectivity and noise sensitivity, allowing for accurate and automated measurement of inter-warp and inter-weft distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-dimensional section analysis is used to measure yarn spacing, then the measurement can be performed on existing images, but the results are subjective and sensitive to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional section analysis to three-dimensional autocorrelation analysis. By computing autocorrelation in 3D space, the method captures spatial relationships across multiple sections simultaneously, eliminating the need to manually identify and measure individual yarns in each section. This dimensional transition provides objective, noise-resistant measurements of inter-warp and inter-weft distances.
2Loss of information
If manual identification of yarn layers is performed, then detailed structural information can be obtained, but the process is tedious and difficult to automate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with automated computational autocorrelation analysis. The autocorrelation function automatically identifies periodic patterns corresponding to yarn spacing without requiring human operators to manually locate and measure each yarn layer, thereby achieving both complete structural information extraction and full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct spatial measurement parameters to autocorrelation function parameters. Instead of measuring distances between identified yarns, the method computes autocorrelation values and identifies peak positions, which automatically reveal the periodic yarn spacing patterns in three dimensions.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sections are investigated to obtain reliable results, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the analysis of multiple sections into a single unified three-dimensional autocorrelation computation. Rather than analyzing each section separately and combining results, the method processes all spatial information simultaneously through 3D autocorrelation, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through comprehensive data utilization.
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 method provides a reliable, non-destructive, and automated means to characterize woven fiber reinforcement, enhancing accuracy and ease of implementation by leveraging three-dimensional imaging data, reducing operator subjectivity and noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
measure the attenuation imparted by the material to a beam of X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A method of characterizing a part made of woven composite material, includes calculating autocorrelation values of a three-dimensional image in an observation window of the volume of the part for a plurality of spatial vectors used as the autocorrelation interval, and then detecting at least one local extremum in the autocorrelation value on a main orientation of the weaving in order to determine a mean in the observation window for the distance between neighboring parallel yarns.