SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NONINTRUSIVE COMPLETE AIRCRAFT INSPECTION

Abstract

The present invention consists of a method and a scanning system for nonintrusive inspection, through radiography of inspected aircrafts from at least two different perspectives. The complete scanning system for nonintrusive inspection of aircrafts according to the invention is a mobile nonintrusive scanning ensemble, installed on a vehicle chassis with a superstructure, on which a deformable parallelogram profile and a mechanical boom are mounted with a penetrating radiation source at one end. A detector line assembly is installed on the ground. A hinged boom is fitted with an array of detectors and positioned opposite a relocatable radiation source. The scanning system for nonintrusive inspection include a mobile tugging device to tow the inspected aircraft at constant speed through the scanning frames. A mobile control center is placed outside the exclusion area a.

Claims

1. A mobile nonintrusive system inspection for aircraft consisting of: a. Mobile scanner unit 1 that is carrying the components of the inspection system and which is used for unloading and positioning of components in order to scan an inspected aircraft. b. A tugging device 15 c. A mobile control center 22 which is placed outside of the exclusion area. d. A first scanning frame used to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected aircraft through a substantially vertical projection, (top view) consisting of i. A mechanical boom 4, consisting of one or more telescopic segments that are assembled in a variable angle in the mobile scanning unit 1 having at the free end mounted a penetrating radiation source 6 and in the scanning mode the boom is positioned on top of the inspected aircraft so that the beam of radiation from penetrating radiation source 6 is oriented towards the ground, passing through the fuselage of the inspected aircraft, in a vertically substantially plane; ii. A detector line 11, installed on the ground, provided with an array of detectors 14 is positioned under the inspected aircraft so as to be exposed to the beam of the penetrating radiation source 6, aligned with this beam, over the detector line the inspected aircraft is towed; e. A second scanning frame used to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected aircraft through a substantially horizontal projection, view, consisting of: i. a hinged boom 7 consisting of one or more segments of linear sections, bends, or combined, mechanically oscillating coupled with the mobile scanning unit 1, hinged boom in which an array of radiation detectors 9 is installed which in the scanning process has a substantially vertical position, at a variable angle, on the side towards the scanned aircraft, and during transport is folded along the platform of mobile scanning unit. ii. A relocatable radiation source 16, located on the side of the inspected aircraft on the opposite side from the hinged boom 7, so its beam of radiation is directed towards the hinged boom 7, passing through the fuselage of the inspected aircraft, and expose to radiation the array of detectors 9, aligned with the radiation beam; f. A subsystem for the acquisition, processing and displaying of data provided by the radiation detectors and to control the scanning process 23 characterized by the fact that the mobile tugging device 15 is towing the inspected aircraft through the two scanning frames, the movement is synchronized with the activation of penetrating radiation sources and data acquisition from radiation detectors, in order to obtain at least two radiographic images of the aircraft from different angles.

2. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical boom 4 of the first scanning frame is connected to the scanning unit 1 through a deformable parallelogram shaped support 5, which in transport mode is folded on the platform of the mobile unit, and in scanning mode is raised, so the attached mechanical boom 4 is positioned at an appropriate height for easy scanning of aircraft and collision avoidance with the wingtip of the scanned aircraft.

3. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinged boom 7, consists of one or more linear segments or bends and is mounted in a joint 8, with one degree of freedom, the boom equipped with an array of detectors 9 and being able to be folded for transport by rotation, towards the driver's cabin by at least 90 degrees, until it reaches a substantial parallel position to the structure 2.

4. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1 characterized in that the mobile remote control center 22 is positioned outside the exclusion area a and is designed to remotely manage all the processes involved in the nonintrusive inspection.

5. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, wherein a computerized management subsystem 19 is contained in a mobile control center 22, interconnected with an external computerized system for monitoring and operating the inspection system, in order to oversee the process from another geographic location relative to the place of scanning.

6. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft tugging device 15 has a synchronized movement with the scanning process and controlled by the computerized management subsystem 19.

7. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, comprising of at least one alignment system 24 between the penetrating radiation source and the radiation detectors array scan corresponding to the same frame, consisting of a optical emitter 25 whose beam is parallel, or superimposed to the radiation beam.

8. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, comprising of at least a proximity sensor 21, that detects the presence of the aircraft in the proximity of the scanning frames which is used to automatically turn on the emission of penetrating radiation in the beginning of the scan and to stop the emission of penetrating radiation at the end of the scan.

9. The mobile nonintrusive inspection system of the aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the relocatable penetrating radiation source 16 is fitted in an adjustable support 17 which can be positioned on the ground in an appropriate position (distance and orientation) relative to the aircraft size to be scanned, and whose height from the ground can be adjusted to obtain an optimized geometric projection in the radiographic image, in relation to the type of the scanned aircraft and areas of interest.

10. The modular detector line (modular detector assembly) is placed at ground level, made from solid blocks, each module consisting of: a. upper half-housing 12 b. lower half-housing 13 c. an array of detectors 14 d. A network of support points between the lower half-housing 13 and the upper half-housing 12 characterized in that the half-housings are combined complementary and sealed so that the support points discharge the loads generated by the tug's and aircraft's wheels to the upper half-housing onto the ground, through the lower half-housing, ensuring the mechanical resistance required to withstand without plastic deformation high forces and ensuring in the same time the unhindered passage of penetrating radiation through the wall of the upper half-housing 12 towards the array of detectors 14, supporting, during the scanning process, the weight of the mobile tugging device 15 and of the scanned aircraft, which is towed over the detector line (modular detector assembly) 11 through ramps for ascent/descent of the wheels on the detectors line.

11. The modular detector line according to claim 10, characterized in that the detector line 11 can be segmented and loaded on the mobile scanner unit 1 in the transport mode and placed on an aircraft runway in scanning mode.

12. The modular detector line according to claim 10, characterized in that the detector line 11 is assembled from identical modules that are connected electrically and mechanically one along of the other, each comprising of an array of detectors 14, the detector line having a unitary functionality of a continuous detector line.

13. Method for nonintrusive inspection of aircraft, characterized by the following steps of the scan: a) the mobile tugging device 15 is connected to an aircraft to be scanned; b) the aircraft is brought in the scanning area in an appropriate position, in a direction perpendicular to the detector line on the ground; c) the aircraft is towed through two scanning frames, synchronized with the start of radiation sources 6 and 16, and with the transmission of the signals generated by the array of detectors 9 and 14, towards the subsystem for acquiring, analyzing and displaying the data 23, where they are stored and processed to form and display the radiographic images from at least 2 perspectives of the scanned aircraft. d) the scanning stops when the scanned aircraft has passed entirely through the two frames, or in exceptional cases as following: i. On entry of intruders in the exclusion area, ii. When the sensor transmits a signal that the aircraft does not follow the preset trajectory when passing the array of detectors 9 and 14; iii. When the aircraft is approaching dangerously to any component of the scanning system in the scanning area; iv. When a dangerous increase or decrease in the speed of movement towards the predetermined limits is detected. e) The mobile tugging unit 15 is disconnected from the inspected aircraft; f) The system is ready to resume the scanning process for another aircraft.

14. The method according to claim 14, wherein all the steps are performed in automated and controlled manner through a computerized management subsystem 19.

Description

[0055] Further, an example of implementing the invention is presented in connection with the figures from 1 to 4 that describe:

[0056] FIG. 1: perspective view of nonintrusive inspection system in a scanning mode

[0057] FIG. 2: top view of the nonintrusive inspection system, according to the invention, placed within the exclusion area;

[0058] FIG. 3: Side view (aircraft) of the nonintrusive inspection system in scanning mode;

[0059] FIG. 4: perspective view of detection modules.

[0060] In an implementing variant, the complete and nonintrusive inspection system according to the invention is a mobile nonintrusive scanning ensemble, installed on a vehicle chassis 1, with low total weight, onto there is a supplementary chassis, referred to from this point on as superstructure 2, onto which a deformable parallelogram profile 3 is fixed, which has mounted a mechanical boom 4, in a double joint joints, supporting at the end the penetrating radiation source 6. Along the superstructure 2, a hinged boom 7 is installed, into a joint 8, with one degree of freedom, boom fitted with an array of detectors 9. The mechanical boom 4 and the hinged boom 7 are made of steel and lightweight alloys, and both fold from the driver cabin 10 towards the aircraft to be scanned.

[0061] The detector line (modular detection assembly) 11, consists of identical modules which are assembled one along of the other, each module is manufactured by machining in solid blocks of metal material, each block consisting of an upper half-housing 12 and a lower half-housing 13 which combine complementary, sealed connection, providing an acclimatized technical cavity, in which an array of detectors 14 is mounted, providing an unshielded passage through the wall of the upper half-housing towards the array of detectors, while supporting the weight of an aircraft, towed over the detector line 11. The half-housings combine complementary, so that the network of support points ensure the mechanical strength required for discharging the forces applied by the aircraft wheels to the upper half-housing, through the support points, to the lower half-housing and then to the ground, at the passing of an aircraft over the detector line (modular detection assembly) through modular ascending and descending ramps, which are designed to generate inclined planes between the track surface and upper surface of the detectors line.

[0062] The detector line (assembly) 11, will be unloaded from the chassis 1 by modules, and assembled onto the running track inside the exclusion area a, the tugging device 15 is also unloaded from the chassis 1 and ready to be attached to the drivetrain of the aircraft, in order to tow the aircraft through the scanning frames. The relocatable penetrating radiation source 16 is unloaded from the chassis and placed following the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11. In a variant of implementation, the relocatable penetrating radiation source 16 is fitted on an adjustable support 17 that allows adjusting the height of the source from the ground, to obtain a convenient geometric projection in the scanned image depending on the type and size of the aircraft to be scanned.

[0063] Because in the scanning area of aircrafts must be provided active radiological protection against accidental irradiation of possible intruders, a perimeter protection subsystem 18 was provided, which result in a rectangular exclusion area a.

[0064] A computerized management subsystem 19, remotely commands and controls the whole subsystem: the direction and speed of the tugging device, the position in the exclusion area, and the other peripherals connected to the system according to the invention, including extension and folding controls of the two booms and the four points stalling subsystem of the chassis, and communicating with all the components by a local computer network cabled or wireless.

[0065] All physical components of the computerized management subsystem 19, and the operator's workstation are installed in mobile control center 22 which, during transport, is towed by the chassis 1, and during scanning is placed outside the exclusion area a. In another implementation variant, the mobile control center 22 can be achieved in a compact version, where all the hardware components are installed in a suitcase type box.

[0066] The mobile scanning unit, according to the invention, has two modes of presentation, such as: scanning mode and transport mode. Conversion from one mode to another is done through the operation of hydraulic cylinders, actuators, electromechanical actuators which makes a reconfiguration of the position of the mechanical boom 4 by deformation of the parallelogram and/or changing the angle of the mechanical boom to the horizontal and boom 7, by rotating the boom compared to the axis of rotation where is mounted.

[0067] In transport mode, the mechanical boom 4 and hinged boom 7 are folded along the chassis 1 to ensure enrollment of the overall dimensions of the assembly in legal limits for driving on public roads, and to ensure proper distribution of loads on wheels. Scanning system components: the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11, mobile tugging device 15, and relocatable penetrating radiation source 16 are loaded on the platform of the chassis 1 and secured by fixing them on the transport positions.

[0068] In scanning mode, the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11 is placed on the runway, the relocatable penetrating radiation source 16 is placed in continuation of the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11 and the tugging device 15 is attached to the aircraft to be scanned. Mechanical boom 4 performs an ascending movement of the deformable parallelogram shape support 3, and a tilt angle from driver's cabin 10 in height, forming a variable angle from horizontal, depending on the size of the aircraft to be scanned, then can execute a movement of extension, by telescoping, up to a predefined length; the hinged boom 7 equipped with the second array of detectors 9, executes a folding motion, a rotation of at least 90 degrees from the driver's cabin 10 to the back end of the chassis 1, in scanning mode.

[0069] After the system components are installed, it can proceed to the scanning procedure by initiating a command through the interface command on the mobile command center, at which moment the mobile tugging device, that is attached to the powertrain of the aircraft starts to move through the scanning frames, first frame being defined by the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11 placed on runway and the penetrating radiation source 6, carried by the mechanical boom 4, on the mobile scanning unit and the second scanning frame defined by detectors array 9, mounted on hinged boom 7 and the penetrating radiation source 16, placed in continuation of the detector line 11. Mobile scanning unit is equipped with a position monitoring subsystem of the scanned aircraft 20, comprising of at least one proximity sensor 21 that detects the presence of the aircraft in the proximity of the scanning frame and is used to automatically start the emission of radiation at the beginning of the scanning process and to stop the emission of radiation at the end of the scan of the aircraft.

[0070] The scanning can be stopped automatically when the scanned aircraft entirely passed through the two scanning frames, when comes dangerously close to any of the scanning system components, if intruders enter the exclusion area a, when triggering the sensor that sends a signal when the mobile tugging device 15 is not following the preset trajectory when passing over the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11, when detecting a dangerous speed variation, during this phase the scanned images of the aircraft are being displayed on the operator's monitor, at the same time being created and archived an unique file containing the scanned image of the aircraft and the live recording of the whole scanning process, and at the end of the scanning phase, the radiation sources 6 and 16 automatically stops, perimeter protection of the exclusion area a is automatically deactivated, the mobile tugging device 15 detaches from the aircraft drivetrain, and after that the aircraft may leave the exclusion area and the scanning cycle may restart.

[0071] The mobile tugging device 15 can be done in various embodiments in the present invention, either by a tractor unit driven by a human operator sitting in a cabin protected from radiation by lead or other shielding materials walls, or remotely by radio frequencies or wired.

[0072] The mobile control center 22 is placed outside the exclusion area a, area delimited by the perimeter protection subsystem 18.

[0073] The chassis 1 has an additional steel chassis referred to as superstructure 2, onto which are assembled all the components of the mobile scanning unit such as: the hydraulic system's related parts: oil tank, distributors, control and safety circuits, the cabinets with the electric and electronic circuits. Some of these latter subassemblies are not figured, considering that they are components by itself, known and unclaimed.

[0074] The penetrating radiation source 6 is fixed to the upper end of the mechanical boom 4, so the radiation beam to be collimated on the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11 located on the runway with the purpose of converting the received penetrating radiation to electrical signals that are then processed and transformed into a radiography (top view) of the scanned aircraft. Similarly, the mobile penetrating radiation source 16 is placed opposite from the hinged boom 7, so that a beam of radiation to be collimated over the detectors area 9, installed on hinged boom 7, with the role of turning the penetrating radiation received to electric signals, which are then processed and converted into a radiography (side view) of the scanned aircraft.

[0075] Arrays of detectors 9 and 14, may contain hybrid detectors for an X-ray source, with scintillation crystals and photodiodes or monolithic detectors with charge coupled devices. For a gamma-ray source hybrid detectors with scintillation crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes are used. Detector layout can be done, depending on the source-detector combination and the design of the detectors chosen, in one line, two lines or in arrays of different shapes.

[0076] The exclusion area perimeter protection subsystem 18 is an active subsystem of radiological protection, that acts directly on the penetrating radiation sources 6 and 16, so that the sources 6 and 16 are automatically closed or stopped if intruders enter the exclusion area, to protect them against accidental irradiation. The active sensors that are part of perimeter protection subsystem are placed so as to determine a rectangular perimeter, called exclusion area a. These sensors are permanently connected through wireless or wired connection to the mobile control center 19, where they send an alarm signal if intruders enter the area, which automatically turns off the sources 6 and 16 and activates a text, vocal, and graphic message on the software graphic interface for the operator, indicating the penetrated side. The subsystem has been designed to operate in harsh weather conditions respectively, rain, snow, wind, extreme temperatures, etc. Perimeter protection is disabled to allow entry/exit to/from the exclusion area for scanned aircraft.

[0077] The mobile control center 22 manages all components and peripherals that are part of the mobile scanning system providing process automation, including a subsystem for acquisition, processing, storage and display of the radiographed image 23, through wireless or wired connection.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the detector line (modular detection assembly) 11 is positioned on the ground and connected with modular access platforms 14 placed on both sides of the detection modules and mechanically connected to these. The incline of these platforms allow the tugging device and the aircraft to run over the detectors.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the detector line (modular detector assembly) 11 is seated in a trench in the runway, with its top at the ground level, eliminating the need for platforms.

[0080] For optimal use of the non-intrusive inspection mobile system of aircrafts, at least one alignment system 24 is required, placed on the penetrating radiation sources and oriented towards the radiation detectors arrays in order to facilitate the alignment of the radiation beam with the detector lines of detector arrays.

[0081] In an alternative implementation, the system 24 may be a laser transmitter 25 whose laser beam is parallel to the radiation beam or superimposed on it allowing an operator to adjust the relative position of the radiation source to the corresponding detector array.