AIRCRAFT WIREMARKING IDENTIFICATION & NOTIFICATION (WIN) SYSTEM

General visual inspection, the current practice of aircraft wire maintenance, almost entirely depends on human decision-making. An Inspector reads/deciphers wire identification markings and sorts through voluminous printed documents to determine relevant interconnection data. Intangible limitations such as operator skills and tangible issues such as limited access, poor lighting and random orientation of markings make the process highly subjective and fraught with risks to crew and aircraft. We propose the WINT System, a unique electro-optical technology consisting of three seamless steps: (a) acquire optical image of alphanumeric or barcode markings anywhere on the wire's 360-degree surface based on our patented NUVU technology; (b) process analog alphanumeric/barcode image to display wire identification marking on a personal computer screen; and (c) export its electronic equivalent to an electronic database for integrated electronic data management (IEDM). WINT System will be handheld, portable and lightweight with character readability resolution of 10 to 50 microns, far in excess of the minimum character width of 250 microns. It can identify markings in-situ, non-intrusively, and nondestructively regardless of their orientation, insulation type, or method of marking. Phase I has conclusively demonstrated the ability to identify random alphanumeric wire-marking that was partially damaged. In Phase II, we will construct and validate in an AF maintenance shop-floor environment, and finally, deliver to Tinker OC-ALC, a prototype with robust and efficient character recognition software that seamlessly exports data to IEDM which then displays complete wire information includes interconnection data, tools required and maintenance history. Other applications of WINT System include detection of wiring and hydraulic line defects and surface corrosion.