Method for detecting foreign object debris
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDaniel E. Wagoner, Michael L. Taylor, John C. Clayton, John D. Fitts, Greg L. Benfer, Lynn E. Johnson
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Abstract
A method for detecting a non-fixed object in a system (12) is provided. The method includes applying a light emitting substance (13) to at least a portion (14) of an object (10). At least a section (20) of the portion (14) is illuminated with a non-fixed object illuminator (16). The object (10) is detected in the system (12) in response to illuminating the section (20). The object (10) is then determined to be a fixed or non-fixed object.
Claims24
A method of detecting a non-fixed fastener within an aircraft that requires fastening or removal therefrom, comprising:
- applying a light emitting substance to at least a portion of the non-fixed fastener;
- illuminating at least a section of said portion with a non-fixed object illuminator;
- detecting the non-fixed fastener in the aircraft in response to illuminating said section;
- and
- determining whether to remove the non-fixed fastener from the aircraft or whether to fasten the non-fixed fastener to the aircraft.
The method of claim 3 further comprising:
- determining whether to perform an action to said detected non-fixed fastener in response to determining said type of said detected non-fixed fastener.
A method of detecting a non-fixed object in a system during production or manufacturing of the system comprising:
- applying a light emitting substance to at a portion of an object;
- performing a production or manufacturing task;
- illuminating at least a section of said portion with a non-fixed object illuminator;
- detecting said object in the system in reponse to illuminating said section;
- and
- determining said object to be a non-fixed object.
A method of detecting a non-fixed object in a system comprising:
- applying a light emitting substance to at least a portion of each object in a plurality of objects;
- illuminating at least a section of each of said portions with a non-fixed object illuminator;
- detecting said plurality of objects in the system in response to illuminating said sections;
- determining said objects to be non-fixed objects.
A method of detecting foreign object debris within an aircraft that requires removal therefrom so as to prevent malfunctioning of the aircraft, comprising:
- applying a light emitting substance of at least a portion of a non-fixed object;
- illuminating at least a section of said portion with a non-fixed object illuminator;
- detecting said non-fixed object in the aircraft in response to illuminating said section;
- determining said non-fixed object to be foreign object debris;
- and
- removing the non-fixed object from the aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.