SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOMATED FAULT ANALYSIS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF AN AIRCRAFT

• US 20100312420A1
• Filed: 06/09/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Halappa, Kiran, Sham, Nagaraj, Pandit, Anil Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 8,335,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A system for automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft is provided. The system includes a maintenance test client system onboard the aircraft, and a ground-based maintenance test server system that is remote from the aircraft. The maintenance test client system is configured to collect fault data for the aircraft, and to wirelessly transmit the fault data to the ground-based maintenance test server system after the aircraft has landed. The ground-based maintenance test server system is configured to receive the fault data, to generate a test checklist that is influenced by the fault data, and to transmit the test checklist to the maintenance test client system. The maintenance test client system wirelessly receives the test checklist, and initiates execution of at least one test specified in the test checklist.

Claims

1. A method of automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft having an onboard maintenance test client system, the method comprising:

establishing a data communication session with the onboard maintenance test client system after the aircraft has landed, the data communication session using at least one wireless data communication link;

receiving diagnostic data from the onboard maintenance test client system during the data communication session;

thereafter, generating a test checklist for the aircraft, wherein content of the test checklist is influenced by the diagnostic data;

thereafter, transmitting the test checklist to the onboard maintenance test client system during the data communication session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a fault analysis report from the diagnostic data.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of sending the fault analysis report to a maintenance personnel terminal.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of sending the fault analysis report to an airlines operations center.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving diagnostic data comprises receiving a takeoff checklist fault report, an en route checklist fault report, or a landing checklist fault report.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving diagnostic data comprises receiving central maintenance computing function (CMCF) fault information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the diagnostic data at a location remote from the aircraft.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein content of the test checklist is influenced by the characteristics of the aircraft.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein content of the test checklist is influenced by an airline associated with the aircraft.

10. A method of automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft, the method comprising:

establishing a data communication session with a ground-based system after the aircraft has landed, the data communication session using at least one wireless data communication link;

sending diagnostic data to the ground-based system during the data communication session;

thereafter, obtaining a test checklist for the aircraft from the ground-based system, wherein content of the test checklist is influenced by the diagnostic data; and

thereafter, completing at least one test specified in the test checklist.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein sending diagnostic data comprises sending a takeoff checklist fault report, an en route checklist fault report, or a landing checklist fault report.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein sending diagnostic data comprises sending central maintenance computing function (CMCF) fault information.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of completing at least one test comprises automatically executing the at least one test onboard the aircraft, without human intervention during execution.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of completing at least one test comprises executing the at least one test onboard the aircraft, with human interaction during execution.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

establishing an interactive control session with a remote maintenance personnel terminal; and

controlling, with the remote maintenance personnel terminal, execution of the at least one test.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

preparing a test report upon completion of the at least one test; and

sending the test report to a remote location.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of sending the test report comprises sending the test report to a remote maintenance personnel terminal, an air traffic control system, or an airlines operations center.

18. A system for automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft, the system comprising:

a maintenance test client system onboard the aircraft; and

a ground-based maintenance test server system that is remote from the aircraft;

the maintenance test client system being configured to collect fault data for the aircraft, and to wirelessly transmit the fault data to the ground-based maintenance test server system after the aircraft has landed;

the ground-based maintenance test server system being configured to receive the fault data, to generate a test checklist that is influenced by the fault data, and to transmit the test checklist to the maintenance test client system; and

the maintenance test client system being further configured to wirelessly receive the test checklist, and to initiate execution of at least one test specified in the test checklist.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising line replaceable units (LRUs) onboard the aircraft, wherein the maintenance test client system cooperates with the LRUs to execute the at least one test.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the maintenance test client system and the LRUs automatically execute the at least one test onboard the aircraft, without human intervention during execution.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a maintenance personnel terminal that is remote from the aircraft, wherein the maintenance test client system establishes an interactive control session with the maintenance personnel terminal, and wherein the maintenance personnel terminal is configured to remotely control execution of the at least one test.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the maintenance test client system is further configured to prepare a test report upon completion of the at least one test.