Method and apparatus for displaying aircraft engine characteristics

• US 20040004557A1
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sikora, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,131 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/08 using a common indicating element for two or more variables

Abstract

A method and system for displaying aircraft engine information. In one embodiment, the method includes directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, with the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters. The method can further include directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second operational state. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the change in the characteristic of the icon can include a change in the color or other visual characteristic of the icon, and the color or other visual characteristic of the icon can correspond directly to instructions to the pilot for actions suggested or required as a result of the current engine operational state.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:

directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; and

determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters;

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine from the plurality of engine operating parameters, wherein the plurality of engine operating parameters is selected from engine rpm, thrust, exhaust pressure ratio, exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, oil quantity, fuel flow, combuster burner pressure and vibration.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in the display when the overall operational state changes from a first overall operational state in which the engine is operating within at least one parameter range to a second overall operational state in which the engine is operating outside the at least one parameter range.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing a display corresponding to pilot instructions based at least in part on the overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing a display corresponding to a first pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

directing a display corresponding to a second pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is operating normally when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall state; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is not operating normally when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of a graphical icon representative of the aircraft engine.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of an icon having a shape representative of the aircraft engine.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of text corresponding to an identity of the aircraft engine.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a color of the icon.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the icon includes text and wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in the text.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a line thickness of the icon.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a line intensity of the icon.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a background shading of the icon.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of a text message in addition to the icon.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a graphical representation of actual and available engine thrust in addition to the icon.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the at least one engine operating parameter at least proximate to the icon.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the at least one engine operating parameter at least proximate to the icon only when the at least one engine operating parameter is outside a particular range.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of the change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of an informational text message corresponding to the state of the aircraft engine.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises:

directing the display of a second icon that indicates an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine, the overall operational state of the second aircraft engine being determined from at least one engine operating parameter of the second aircraft engine; and

directing a change in the display of the second icon when the overall operational state of the second aircraft engine changes from a third overall operational state to a fourth overall operational state.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state; and

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a fourth overall operational state;

wherein the aircraft engine is not running when the overall operational state is the first overall operational state, and wherein the aircraft engine is operating within normal limits when the overall operational state is the second state, further wherein the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires a reduction in aircraft engine power when the overall operational state is the third overall operational state, still further wherein the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires the aircraft engine to be shut down when the overall operational state is the fourth overall operational state.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a size of the icon to be at least approximately constant as the display of the icon is changed.

27. A computer-implemented method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters;

determining if the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges of values; and

if all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, directing the display of a single qualitative visual cue indicating an overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising directing a change in the display of the single visual cue when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the overall operational state is a first overall operational state, and wherein the method further comprises determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the single qualitative visual cue is a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction and wherein the method further comprises directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if the engine operating parameters are not within the corresponding ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein directing the display of a visual cue includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the visual cue includes an icon representative of the aircraft engine, and wherein the method further comprises directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

34. A computer-implemented method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:

receiving at least one signal corresponding to at least one engine operating parameter;

determining an overall operational state of an aircraft engine based at least in part on the at least one engine operating parameter; and

directing the display of a single qualitative visual cue that indicates the overall operational state and the need for a crew action.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the display of a single visual cue includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a suggested response to the overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one signal is one of a plurality of signals corresponding to plurality of engine operating parameters, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving the plurality of signals; and

determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one signal is one of a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving the plurality of signals;

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the state the overall operational aircraft engine is a first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if the at least one engine operating parameter is within a corresponding range of values; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if the at least one engine operating parameter is not within the corresponding range, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the display of a visual cue includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

40. The method of claim 34 wherein the visual cue includes an icon representative of the aircraft engine, and wherein the method further comprises directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

42. A method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:

directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from at least one engine operating parameter;

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state; and

when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is at least one of the first and second overall operational states, directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with the crew instruction.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a crew instruction to reduce power to the aircraft engine.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a crew instruction to shut down the aircraft engine.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in a color of the display.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters;

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

49. The method of claim 42, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

50. A method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:

directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, wherein the change includes changing a color of the icon from a first color to a second color different than the first color.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

54. The method of claim 50, further comprising directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

55. The method of claim 50, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

56. The method of claim 50 wherein in the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing the display of a second icon indicating the overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

57. A method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:

receiving signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters;

determining whether or not all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges;

directing the display of a graphical icon representing an aircraft engine and indicating a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from the plurality of engine operating parameters;

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, wherein the change includes changing a color of the icon from a first color to a second color different than the first color, and wherein the engine is not running when the overall operational state is the first overall operational state, further wherein the engine is running within normal limits when the state is the second overall operational state;

changing a color of the icon to a third color when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state in which the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires a reduction in engine power; and

changing a color of the icon to a fourth color when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a fourth overall operational state in which the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires the aircraft engine to be shut down.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein changing the color from the first color to the second color includes changing the color from white to green, and wherein changing the color to the third color includes changing the color to amber, further wherein changing the color to the fourth color includes changing the color to red.

59. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:

directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters;

directing the display of an indication of thrust produced by the aircraft engine, the indication of thrust being different than the icon; and

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

62. The method of claim 59 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

63. The method of claim 59, further comprising directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

64. The method of claim 59 wherein in the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing the display of a second icon indicating an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

65. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computing device to display information corresponding to a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine by performing a method, comprising:

directing the display of an icon that indicates the qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and

directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters;

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of:

directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and

directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of an icon having a graphical representation of the aircraft engine.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of an icon that includes text corresponding to an identity of the aircraft engine.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing a change in the display of the icon when a state of aircraft engine changes from a first state to a second state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 65 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are further capable of directing the display of a second icon indicating that a second aircraft engine is operating within selected ranges.

73. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:

a determining component with contents capable of determining a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine based on a plurality of engine operating parameters; and

a display component with contents capable of displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine and changing a characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

74. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the determining component is further capable of:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; and

determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

75. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the determining component is further capable of:

receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters;

if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and

if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

76. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the display component is further capable of:

displaying a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges; and

displaying a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

77. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:

determining means for determining a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on a plurality of engine operating parameters; and

display means for displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine and changing a characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

78. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the determining means are configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters and determine the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

79. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the determining means are configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters, and if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determine that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state, and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determine that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

80. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the display means are configured to display a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges and display a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

81. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the display means are configured to display a graphical representation of the aircraft engine.

82. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the display means are configured to change the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

83. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the display means are configured to display a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the overall operational first state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

84. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the display means are configured to display a second icon indicating an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

85. A computer-readable medium containing a data structure having information for display, the information when displayed including an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operating state of the aircraft engine, the icon having a characteristic that changes when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the characteristic of the icon being based on a plurality of engine operating parameters.

86. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the icon includes a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

87. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the icon has a shape representative of the aircraft engine.

88. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a color of the icon.

89. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a line thickness of the icon.

90. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes in a line intensity of the icon.

91. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a background shading of the icon.