AUTOMATED POSTFLIGHT TROUBLESHOOTING

• US 20100211358A1
• Filed: 02/17/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kalinowski, Robert Daniel, Kesler, Paul Allen, Vian, John Lyle
• Granted Patent: US 9,418,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01N3/00 - G01N19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8851 Scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment, for detecting different kinds of defects, for compensating for structures, markings, edges G01N21/8806 and G01N21/93 - G01N21/95692 take precedence; optical measurement of dimensions G01B11/00; optical scanning G02B26/10; image transformation G06T3/00; computerised image enhancement G06T5/00; image processing per se for flaw detection G06T7/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/26 Scanned objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

The advantageous embodiments provide a method for identifying anomalies on an object. The advantageous embodiments detect a presence of the object in a control area using a sensor system. In response to detecting the presence of the object in the control area, the object is identified using the sensor system. Scan priorities are identified for the object using the sensor system. The object is scanned while the object is within the control area to form scan results. The scan results are analyzed and a determination is made as to whether a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object using the scan results.

Claims

1. A method for identifying anomalies on an object, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of the object in a control area using a sensor system;

responsive to detecting the presence of the object in the control area, identifying the object using the sensor system;

identifying scan priorities for the object using the sensor system;

scanning the object while the object is within the control area to form scan results;

analyzing the scan results; and

determining whether a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object using the scan results.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object, generating a maintenance order to address the number of maintenance anomalies detected.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting the maintenance order.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the scan results to a maintenance control system, wherein the identifying step is performed by the maintenance control system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying scan priorities for the object further comprises:

determining whether the object is a subscriber.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the object is not a subscriber, assigning no scan priorities for the object.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the object is a subscriber, determining whether operational maintenance information has been received for the object.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has been received for the object, assigning first priority to the operational maintenance information;

identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that the anomaly trend is present, assigning second priority to the anomaly trend;

identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning third priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has not been received for the object, identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that the anomaly trend is present, assigning first priority to the anomaly trend;

identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning second priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has not been received for the object, identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that no anomaly trend is present, identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning first priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.

11. A method for identifying anomalies on an object, the method comprising:

receiving, by a maintenance control system, operational maintenance information;

assigning, by the maintenance control system, scan priorities to a sensor system;

receiving scan results from the sensor system;

identifying maintenance anomalies using the scan results;

generating a maintenance order; and

transmitting the maintenance order to a maintenance crew.

12. An apparatus for identifying anomalies on an object, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor system; and

a maintenance control system having a computer connected to the sensor system, wherein the computer executes an analysis process to perform the steps of detecting a presence of the object in a control area using the sensor system;

responsive to detecting the presence of the object in the control area, identifying the object using the sensor system;

identifying scan priorities for the object using the sensor system;

scanning the object while the object is within the control area to form scan results;

analyzing the scan results; and

determining whether a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object using the scan results.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object, generating a maintenance order to address the number of maintenance anomalies detected.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

transmitting the maintenance order.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the computer executes the analysis process to perform the step of identifying scan priorities for the object and further executes the analysis process to perform the step of:

determining whether the object is a subscriber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that the object is not a subscriber, assigning no scan priorities for the object.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that the object is a subscriber, determining whether operational maintenance information has been received for the object.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has been received for the object, assigning first priority to the operational maintenance information;

identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that the anomaly trend is present, assigning second priority to the anomaly trend;

identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning third priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has not been received for the object, identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that the anomaly trend is present, assigning first priority to the anomaly trend;

identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning second priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer further executes the analysis process to perform the steps of:

responsive to a determination that the operational maintenance information has not been received for the object, identifying prior scan results for the object;

determining whether an anomaly trend is present using the prior scan results;

responsive to a determination that no anomaly trend is present, identifying preventative maintenance requirements for the object; and

assigning first priority to the preventative maintenance requirements for the object.