Methods and systems for aviation nonconformance component management

• US 20020123915A1
• Filed: 03/01/2001
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Barrett, John Raymond, Denning, Paul Dean
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management

Abstract

A computerized business process that captures component nonconformance data elements at an inspection process level is described. The nonconformance data is gathered via network-based data capture screens and image capture workstations. The data elements include information regarding the aircraft component nonconformance, component disposition, and if necessary, the repair or non-repairable status, type of repair to be conducted, primary non-repairable defect, and digital images of the nonconforming component feature. The information is uploaded to a database integrated with a nonconformance management system. The data is available for users, suppliers, and customers to view through a secure connection to a business entity'"'"'s server system. The customer logs onto the system and accesses captured data elements and images.

Claims

1. A system configured for accessing component disposition information by internal users, suppliers, and external customers, said system comprising:

a server configured with a database of disposition order and quality information, said server further configured with a plurality of web pages associated with the component and disposition information, said server further configured with a user interface allowing a user to input information, including inspection reports, into the web pages for upload to said server, and allowing a user to download into the web pages information from said database including corrective action reports of repairable parts;

at least one computer; and

a network coupling said at least one computer to said server.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said server is further configured to store and download to the user interface data indicating nonconformance of components with respect to predefined manufacturing tolerances.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said server further configured to generate trending data from stored non-conformance data, the trending data accessible by a plurality of users.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said server further configured to provide a facility for users, suppliers, and customers to provide feedback on non-conforming components and disposition information.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said server further configured to store standardized inspection data thereby reducing variations in component inspections and dispositions between various user inspection and disposition facilities.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said server further configured to provide functionality for the incorporation of customer approval for component dispositions.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said server further configured to store and download to the user interface digital images of nonconforming components, including a cause of non-conformance, by part serial number.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 further configured to access aircraft engine component disposition information.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein according to claim 1 wherein said server further configured to provide a facility for users, suppliers, and customers to receive a status report by component serial number of non-conforming component dispositions.

10. A method for accessing aircraft engine component disposition information by internal users, suppliers, and external customers using a component management system including a server and at least one client system, said method comprising the steps of:

uploading user information to the server;

downloading from the server, web pages configured to direct customer access to databases within the server, the databases configured with component and disposition information;

uploading user selections input into the web pages to the server; and

downloading from the server corrective action reports and component disposition information from the databases as selected by the user of the system.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said step of downloading from the server component and disposition information further comprises the step of downloading user links to data indicating non-conformance of components with respect to predefined manufacturing tolerances.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of downloading from the server corrective action reports further comprises the step of downloading to the user interface digital images of non-conforming components, including a cause of non-conformance, by component serial number.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of uploading user selections input into the web pages further comprises the step of uploading user and customer feedback on the system.

14. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of uploading user selections input into the web pages further comprises the step of standardizing inspection data thereby reducing variations in component inspections and dispositions between various user inspection and disposition facilities.

15. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of downloading from the server corrective action reports and component disposition information further comprises the step of downloading an approval form.

16. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of uploading user selections input into the web pages further comprises the step of uploading customer approval for component dispositions.

17. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of downloading from the server web pages further comprises the step of downloading component non-conformance trend data.

18. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said step of downloading from the server web pages further comprises the step of downloading component status reports indicating an amount of progress of component dispositions by component serial number.