23-12-2010, 09:37 AM
Robotic Assistants for Aircraft Inspectors
Aircraft flight pressurization/depressurization cycling causes the skin to inflate and deflate. This cycle stresses the rivets that fasten the aircraft to the airfram e body. microscopic cracks are created by these forces acting cyclically and this process is exacerbated by corrosion. The aircraft are inspected periodically for cracks and corrosion as a compulsory measure against it.The robotic deployment of remote enhanced 3D-stereoscopic video instrumentation for visual inspection as well as the remote eddy current probes for instrumented inspection has been described in this article.
INTRODUCTION
The stress fatigue at the rivets is caused primarily due to the cyclic pressurization and depressurization resulting in the growth of radial cracks. A catastrophe could result in the cases where “two small cracks that joined to make one big crack" which is technically called as multiple site damage” or MSD. It has to be prevented by regular inspection.
CURRENT AND ALTERNATIVE AIRCRAFT INSPECTION METHODS
Visual inspection, augmented by instrumented inspection is done for the regular problem areas. every 6 years or 24000 flying hours, a major inspection of the aircraft is to be carried out. Skin inspections are currently about 90% visual. Presently , inspection using electronic instruments is only 10%. The skin inspection is primarily done using Eddy current probes. a human inspector is involved in every case and the errors due to this are involved. To prevent it , the robotic assistance is used.
Get the report pdf here:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/dow...1&type=pdf
Aircraft flight pressurization/depressurization cycling causes the skin to inflate and deflate. This cycle stresses the rivets that fasten the aircraft to the airfram e body. microscopic cracks are created by these forces acting cyclically and this process is exacerbated by corrosion. The aircraft are inspected periodically for cracks and corrosion as a compulsory measure against it.The robotic deployment of remote enhanced 3D-stereoscopic video instrumentation for visual inspection as well as the remote eddy current probes for instrumented inspection has been described in this article.
INTRODUCTION
The stress fatigue at the rivets is caused primarily due to the cyclic pressurization and depressurization resulting in the growth of radial cracks. A catastrophe could result in the cases where “two small cracks that joined to make one big crack" which is technically called as multiple site damage” or MSD. It has to be prevented by regular inspection.
CURRENT AND ALTERNATIVE AIRCRAFT INSPECTION METHODS
Visual inspection, augmented by instrumented inspection is done for the regular problem areas. every 6 years or 24000 flying hours, a major inspection of the aircraft is to be carried out. Skin inspections are currently about 90% visual. Presently , inspection using electronic instruments is only 10%. The skin inspection is primarily done using Eddy current probes. a human inspector is involved in every case and the errors due to this are involved. To prevent it , the robotic assistance is used.
Get the report pdf here:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/dow...1&type=pdf