Arrangement comprising a mock-up for reproducing and testing an aircraft passenger cabin

• US 20090259426A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Gleine, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 9,070,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/108
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/165 Control of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/08 for teaching control of aircraft, e.g. Link trainer

Abstract

In an arrangement comprising a supporting structure and a reproduction, arranged inside the supporting structure, of an aircraft passenger cabin on a 1:1 scale for receiving components of cabin systems, the invention consists in that the supporting structure is formed by a structure reproduction, composed of standardised elements, for receiving components of the cabin system and the cabin fittings and comprises standardised supports and connections in such a way that these components can be tested under operating conditions and at least one movable test module is provided which comprises multifunctional test rigs for operating and testing the cabin systems.

In this case it is particularly advantageous that tests can be carried out irrespective of location and therefore a mobile test stand can be constructed during the system development stage, which is carried out to a large extent by suppliers, the test stand initially being used on-site by development engineers at the premises of the supplier concerned for the processes of development, evaluation and quality control and, after completion of the work at those premises, being supplied together with the developed products to the aircraft manufacturer as a whole or in modules for the purposes of further integration.

Claims

1. Arrangement comprising a supporting structure and a reproduction of an aircraft passenger cabin on a 1:

1 scale which is arranged within the supporting structure, for receiving cabin system components, characterised in that the supporting structure is formed from a structure reproduction, which is composed of standardised elements, for receiving components of the cabin system and the cabin fittings and comprises standardised supports and connections in such a way that these components can be tested under operating conditions and at least one movable test module is provided comprising multifunctional test rigs for operating and testing the cabin systems.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the test rigs have standardised housings and standardised supports and connections in such a way that they can be fitted on the test modules in a modular manner.

3. Arrangement according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the test rigs contain devices for

testing (obtaining and evaluating measurement values),

operating (provision of electrical energy and operating media) of the cabin systems and

operating all of the devices located on the test modules involved.

4. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the test rigs for testing cabin systems are each configured as self-contained computer systems comprising processors and storage media as well as functional units such as input and output stages.

5. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the test rig comprises at least one I/O unit, a simulation unit for simulating a test environment, a simulation unit for simulating systems to be tested, a test machine, a power supply unit, a patch panel and an object region.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the simulation unit for storing graphics data is equipped to show cabin fittings variants, in particular by means of virtual reality.

7. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the test rigs have standardised plug and socket connectors for connecting the data lines.

8. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a test module comprises an underbody on which at least one test rig, a computer workstation, a printer and a test bench are fitted.

9. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the test module has provisions for transport (by means of a crane or a forklift truck).

10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that the test module can be moved by an air cushion transport system.

11. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a plurality of test modules are assembled in a modular manner to form a test platform.

12. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the test platform contains at least one test module comprising at least one computer operator control panel.

13. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the structural reproduction is composed of individual elements which can be re-used.

14. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the structural reproduction is constructed in a modular manner from a floor with longitudinal supports and frames.

15. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the frames are connected to the longitudinal supports by brackets which can be fixed as desired in the direction of the longitudinal supports.

16. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the frames are provided with a hinge.

17. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the frames are provided with a link plate.

18. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that a universal data bus is provided for exchanging data between the test rigs and between the test rigs and the operator control panel of the computer workstation.

19. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that the base of the test module is dimensioned in such a way that it can be stowed inside a container.

20. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the walls, floor and roof of the container are formed so as to be separable.

21. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the walls of the container may be used as supports for superstructures.