Automated Exhaust Coating Defect Mapping System

ABSTRACT: Etegent"s goal is to develop an automated inspection and damage mapping system that can be used by a single technician in a wide range of environments. We will research a range of damage sensing techniques, with a focus on optical approaches. 3D sensors will be used to capture a reconstruction of the duct, which will be utilized for localizing the sensors within the duct. Damage detection and 3D reconstruction sensors will be mounted on an automated inspection robot. The data from the damage detection sensors will be processed by a damage recognition system, and when damage is detected, photogrammetric techniques will be used to map the damage onto a 3D structural model of the duct. The inspection results will stored in Etegent"s NLign software package for analysis, visualization and trending. BENEFIT: The goal of the automated damage registration system is to reduce inspection time and to improve accuracy over the current baseline and enable inspection of tight cavities. Reductions in inspection time lines will benefit the US Air Force by reducing Direct Maintenance Man-Hours per Flight Hour (DMMH/FH), ultimately reducing the overall lifecycle maintenance costs.