Fast rotating imaging system for in-flight measurements of the aircraft propeller deformation

Abstract

The optical measuring method Image Pattern Correlation Technique (IPCT) based on photogrammetry in combination with cross correlation algorithms is a powerful tool for non-intrusive measurements of surface deformation. It has been successfully applied for the investigation of propeller and wing deformation during ground and in-flight tests on real aircraft such as Piaggio P-180, Airbus A380 and an Eurocopter EC-135 rotor. For propeller deformation measurements on the P-180, the whole equipment was placed in the aircraft fuselage. Due to the limited optical access, the 360◦ measurements of the propeller deformation were not possible. To extend this access a new system consisting of astereo camera, a miniature computer, a phase shifter, a GPS receiver, and a LiPo battery, is being designed. The complete system shall be placed in front of the examined propellerwith which it co-rotates. This task is performed within the collaborative project AIM2, which is funded by the European Commission within the 7th research framework programme. The latest status of this project will be reportet during the conference.