Using a text mining tool for patent analyses: Development of a new method for the repairing of gas turbines

The content analysis of hundreds of patents during early phases of R&D processes is still complex and time consuming. Many companies avoid the analysis of patents and are not aware of the huge knowledge that might be useful for their own R&D. Therefore Fraunhofer IAO developed a method for a software-based patent analysis, the so called White Spot Analysis. Core element of this analysis is the usage of a text-mining solution for the analysis of patents, especially for the analysis of problems and solutions provided by patents. This paper demonstrates the result of a White Spot Analysis: The practical example deals with the development of a new method for the repairing of gas turbines, especially the repairing of high pressure turbine blades. It is shown how the developed text-mining solution assisted the patent analysis and the idea generation process.