Assembly inspection system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for inspecting assembly of components in an aircraft structure, comprising:
- acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure that includes a plurality of components therein;
saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium;
accessing a three-dimensional design of the structure, the three dimensional design containing information on a proper position of each of the plurality of components within the structure;
comparing the visual representation with the three-dimensional design using a computer by graphically superimposing an image related to the visual representation with a second image related to the three-dimensional design to determine whether each of the plurality of components encompassed by the visual representation is in a proper position in the structure, as determined by a position of each corresponding component encompassed in the three-dimensional design; and
generating a feedback indicating a result of the comparison.
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Abstract
A method for inspecting assembly of components in a structure includes acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure, and saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium. A three-dimensional design of the structure, which contains information on a proper position of the components within the structure, is accessed. The visual representation is compared with the three-dimensional design using a computer, and a feedback indicating a result of the comparison is generated.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for inspecting assembly of components in an aircraft structure, comprising:
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acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure that includes a plurality of components therein; saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium; accessing a three-dimensional design of the structure, the three dimensional design containing information on a proper position of each of the plurality of components within the structure; comparing the visual representation with the three-dimensional design using a computer by graphically superimposing an image related to the visual representation with a second image related to the three-dimensional design to determine whether each of the plurality of components encompassed by the visual representation is in a proper position in the structure, as determined by a position of each corresponding component encompassed in the three-dimensional design; and generating a feedback indicating a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for automatic inspection of a real aircraft structure against a computer aided design (CAD) model of the real aircraft structure, comprising:
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retrieving CAD data of the model; generating a checking plan that includes a plurality of inspection stations; generating a robot plan for a robot carrying a sensor array disposed to acquire visual information from the real aircraft structure, the robot plan including a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a particular inspection station; providing the robot plan to a robot controller; providing the checking plan to a data processing unit; executing the robot plan to obtain visual information from the real aircraft structure; comparing the visual information with the CAD data at each inspection station, wherein comparing the visual information with the CAD date includes graphically superimposing the visual information with an image related to the CAD data to determine whether each of a plurality of components that make up the real aircraft structure is in a proper position with respect to corresponding components encompassed in the CAD data of the model; and generating an output indicative of component deviations when the comparison of the visual information with the CAD data indicates that a component of the real aircraft structure has at least one of an incorrect position, incorrect shape, or is not present on the real aircraft structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An inspection system adapted to inspect an aircraft structure, the aircraft structure having a plurality of components therein, the inspection system comprising:
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a non-transitory, computer-readable database containing computer readable information therein indicative of a design of the aircraft structure; an image capturing device configured to capture visual information from the aircraft structure; a conveyance device configured to selectively carry and position the sensor array relative to the aircraft structure; and a controller associated with the database, the sensor array, and the conveyance device, the controller disposed to compare the visual information to the information indicative of the design by graphically superimposing an image related to the visual information with a second image related to the three-dimensional design to determine whether each of the plurality of components encompassed by the visual information is in a proper position in the structure, as determined by a position of each corresponding component encompassed in the three-dimensional design. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification