AssetID: 53041676
Headline: Squishy Robotic 'Worm' Slithers Inside Aircraft Engines For Maintenance
Caption: A new inchworm-like robot has been created that could help with jet engine inspections. Dubbed the Sensiworm (Soft ElectroNics Skin-Innervated Robotic Worm), GE Aerospace says this highly intelligent, acutely sensitive soft robot could serve as an extra set of eyes and ears inside the engine for aerospace service operators. Jet engine maintenance has long been a costly and time-consuming endeavour, primarily reliant on advanced inspection instruments like the video borescope. These instruments provide crucial inspection data but suffer from limitations, particularly their inability to comprehensively cover turbine components. Gravity often causes the tip of the borescope to settle naturally when not supported within the engine structure, resulting in an incomplete view of potential issues. Enter the Sensiworm, a self-propelling, compliant robot designed to infiltrate openings and navigate through voids and crevices within the engine itself, offering a solution to these challenges. By employing Sensiworm and similar soft robots, maintenance personnel can conduct inspections without the need for engine disassembly. According to Deepak Trivedi, Principal Robotics Engineer at GE Aerospace Research, "With mini-robot companions like Sensiworm, service operators would have multiple additional sets of eyes and ears to perform on-wing inspections. With their soft, compliant design, they could inspect every inch of a jet engine, transmitting live video and real-time data about the condition of parts. Sensiworm can even measure the thickness of thermal barrier coatings." Sensiworm exhibits motion reminiscent of an inchworm, utilising two suction-like components on its underside to navigate crevices and adapt to the engine's curves. Its arsenal includes onboard cameras and sensors, all connected via a lengthy, slender wire. In a demonstration video, Sensiworm showcased its ability to manoeuvre around obstacles, cling to a spinning turbine, and detect gas leaks. These "mini-robot companions" expand the inspection capabilities of human service operators during on-wing inspections without necessitating any disassembly. GE Aerospace expressed that, "With their soft, compliant design, they could inspect every inch of a jet engine, transmitting live video and real-time data about the condition of parts that operators typically check." Deepak Trivedi emphasised, "Currently, our demonstrations have primarily been focused on the inspection of engines, but we're developing new capabilities that would allow these robots to execute repairs once they find a defect as well." The Sensiworm and its soft robotic counterparts may revolutionise the way aerospace service operators maintain and repair jet engines, offering enhanced efficiency and precision in this critical industry.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Sensiworm,design,tech,technology,soft worm,worm,rubber,jet engine
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