PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING OPERATIONAL RISKS FOR AIDING IN VEHICULAR MAINTENANCE DECISIONS

• US 20090055339A1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus France
• Inventors: BERNARD, Denys
• Granted Patent: US 8,296,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/46
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0283 Predictive maintenance, e.g. involving the monitoring of a system and, based on the monitoring results, taking decisions on the maintenance schedule of the monitored system; Estimating remaining useful life [RUL] preventive maintenance, i.e. planning maintenance according to the available resources without monitoring the system G06Q10/06

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and devices for evaluating operational risks in order to aid in the decisions concerning maintenance operations on vehicles during scheduled utilization of the vehicle. Scheduled utilization comprises at least one utilization period. After the degradation of at least one of the components of the vehicle has been analyzed (130), the functional consequences, for the vehicle, of the analyzed degradation are evaluated (125) according to the scheduled utilization of the vehicle. An operational index of the vehicle is then determined (110) for the utilization periods according to the evaluated functional consequences.

Claims

1. A method for aiding in the decision concerning maintenance operations on components of a vehicle during scheduled utilization of the said vehicle, the said scheduled utilization comprising at least one utilization period, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps,

analysis (130) of the degradation of at least one of the said components;

evaluation (125) of the functional consequences, for the said vehicle, of the said analyzed degradation according to the said scheduled utilization of the said vehicle; and

determination (110) of an operational index of the said vehicle for the said at least one period according to the said evaluated functional consequences.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a step of determination (120) of a functional state of at least one of the said components, the said step of determination of an operational index of the said vehicle for the said at least one period being based on the said evaluated functional consequences and on the said functional state.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the said step of analysis of the degradation of at least one of the said components preferably comprises a step of estimation of the degradation trend of the said at least one of the said components and of evaluation of a probability of breakdown of the said at least one of the said components

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said step of evaluation of the functional consequences, for the said vehicle, of the said analyzed degradation according to the said scheduled utilization of the said vehicle uses a predetermined failure model.

5. A device comprising means adapted to implementation of each of the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. A computer program comprising instructions adapted to implementation of each of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A device for aiding in the decision concerning maintenance operations for components of a vehicle during scheduled utilization of the said vehicle, the said scheduled utilization comprising at least one utilization period, this device being characterized in that it comprises the following means:

means (310) for determining a functional state of at least one of the said components;

means (405, 410) for determining the degradation of at least one of the said components;

means (430) for analyzing the said determined degradation; and

means for transmitting the said functional state and the said analysis of the said degradation.

8. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said means for analyzing the degradation of at least one of the said components comprise means for estimating the degradation trend of the said at least one of the said components and for evaluating a probability of breakdown of the said at least one of the said components.

9. A device for aiding in the decision concerning maintenance operations for components of a vehicle during scheduled utilization of the said vehicle, the said scheduled utilization comprising at least one utilization period, this device being characterized in that it comprises the following means,

means for receiving a functional state of at least one of the said components and an analysis of degradation of at least one of the said components;

means (615) for evaluating the functional consequences, for the said vehicle, of the said analyzed degradation according to the said scheduled utilization of the said vehicle; and

means (620) for determining an operational index of the said vehicle for the said at least one period according to the said evaluated functional consequences and according to the said functional state of the said at least one of the said components.

10. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said means for evaluating functional consequences comprise means for estimating the degradation trend of the said at least one of the said components and for evaluating a probability of breakdown of the said at least one of the said components.