Methods (200) for performing repair operations using one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a camera (30) is flown to a position in a vicinity of an area of interest on a surface of a structure (18). Image data representing one or more images of the structure (18) in the area is acquired using the camera (30). Second, an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a non-destructive examination (NDE) sensor unit is flown until the NDE sensor unit is within measurement range of the structure (18) in the area of interest. Then NDE sensor data representing structural characteristics of the structure (18) in the area of interest is acquired. Third, an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a repair tool is moved to a location that places the repair tool in contact with the surface in the area of interest. Then the structure (18) in the area is repaired using the repair tool. Once the repair has been completed, a UAV equipped with a camera (30) or an NDE sensor unit may be used to determine whether the repaired structure (18) should be placed back in service or not.
IN-SERVICE MAINTENANCE PROCESS USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
WARTUNGSPROZESS WÄHREND DES BETRIEBS MIT UNBEMANNTEN LUFTFAHRZEUGEN
PROCÉDÉ DE MAINTENANCE EN SERVICE UTILISANT DES VÉHICULES AÉRIENS SANS PILOTE
2024-05-15
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen / B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / G01M TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES , Prüfen der statischen oder dynamischen Massenverteilung rotierender Teile von Maschinen oder Konstruktionen |
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