Integrated aircraft test system
First Claim
1. An integrated aircraft test system for functionally testing a plurality of aircraft components and subsystems, wherein at least one of the aircraft components and subsystems operates in response to data broadcast from another one of the aircraft components, and wherein during functional testing of said one of the aircraft components and subsystems, simulation data are broadcast thereto, said test system comprising:
- (a) at least two automated test equipment carts for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems, at least one said cart having instruments for functionally testing the at least one aircraft component and subsystem that operates in response to data broadcast by another of the one of the aircraft components, each of said carts including;
a plurality of processor controllable instruments for performing functional tests on specific aircraft components and subsystems;
connection means for interconnecting said instruments to the components and subsystems that said instruments functionally test; and
a system controller connected to said instruments for controlling said instruments and having an input/output unit, said system controller controlling the functional test of said at least one aircraft component and subsystem by said instruments and including means for receiving and storing the results of the functional test from said instruments, said system controller input/output unit of said automated test equipment cart having said instruments for performing functional testing on the at least one aircraft component and subsystem that operates in response to the simulation data broadcast from the another aircraft component further being connected to said connection means so that said system controller can control the broadcast of the simulation data to the at least one aircraft component and subsystem through data transmissions over said connection means; and
(b) a central control unit including a memory, said central control unit adapted for connection to said system controller input/output units for reading said stored test results therefrom and for storing said test results in said central control unit memory.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated aircraft system for funtionally testing the components and subsystems of an aircraft during its manufacture and subsequent maintenance. A central control unit serves as a repository for test applications and instruction sets that comprise the individual steps of the functional tests performed on the aircraft. In response to receiving indications of work performed on the aircraft, the central control unit displays an indication of the functional tests that should be performed on the aircraft. The system includes a plurality of automated test equipment carts (ATEs). Each of the ATEs contains a number of processor-controllable instruments for performing functional tests on specific components and subsystems that comprise a specific aircraft system. A system controller on each of the ATEs controls the operation of the test instruments associated therewith. The system controllers are also capable of directing the broadcast of simulation data to aircraft components so that the response of the components to the stimulation data can be tested. Test application from the central control unit are run on the system controller of each ATE contain instructions that direct the system controller to perform specific functional tests on the aircraft using test instruments and to store the test results in a system controller memory associated therewith. The ATEs are selectiively connected to the central control unit having a main memory so that the test results results stored in the system controller memory may be unloaded and permanently archieved. A remote access terminal also connectable to the central control unit is also provided so that personnel can receive instructions for manual tests and be provided with a means for entering the test results into the system. The central control unit reviews the results of the functional tests performed on the aircraft and broadcasts appropriate messages if functional tests were missed or failed, or the aircraft passed functional testing.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. An integrated aircraft test system for functionally testing a plurality of aircraft components and subsystems, wherein at least one of the aircraft components and subsystems operates in response to data broadcast from another one of the aircraft components, and wherein during functional testing of said one of the aircraft components and subsystems, simulation data are broadcast thereto, said test system comprising:
-
(a) at least two automated test equipment carts for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems, at least one said cart having instruments for functionally testing the at least one aircraft component and subsystem that operates in response to data broadcast by another of the one of the aircraft components, each of said carts including; a plurality of processor controllable instruments for performing functional tests on specific aircraft components and subsystems; connection means for interconnecting said instruments to the components and subsystems that said instruments functionally test; and a system controller connected to said instruments for controlling said instruments and having an input/output unit, said system controller controlling the functional test of said at least one aircraft component and subsystem by said instruments and including means for receiving and storing the results of the functional test from said instruments, said system controller input/output unit of said automated test equipment cart having said instruments for performing functional testing on the at least one aircraft component and subsystem that operates in response to the simulation data broadcast from the another aircraft component further being connected to said connection means so that said system controller can control the broadcast of the simulation data to the at least one aircraft component and subsystem through data transmissions over said connection means; and (b) a central control unit including a memory, said central control unit adapted for connection to said system controller input/output units for reading said stored test results therefrom and for storing said test results in said central control unit memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An automated test equipment cart for functionally testing a plurality of aircraft components and subsystems, at least one of the aircraft components and subsystems functionally tested while operating in response to simulation data broadcast by another aircraft component, the functional testing of one of the components and subsystems including determination of its response to the simulation data, said cart comprising:
-
(a) a portable housing; (b) a plurality of processor-controllable instruments disposed on said housing for performing functional tests on the aircraft components and subsystems; (c) connection means for interconnecting said instruments to the aircraft components and subsystems; and (d) a system controller connected to said cart instruments, and further connected to the aircraft component broadcasting the simulation data, said system controller operative to control the functional test performance of the aircraft components and subsystems by said test instruments and operative to control the broadcast of the simulation data from the aircraft component broadcasting the simulation data, and including means for receiving and storing the results of the functional tests performed by said cart instruments. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. An integrated aircraft test system for functionally testing a plurality of aircraft components and subsystems, said test system comprising:
-
(a) a central control unit with memory means for storing a plurality of test applications used for performing functional tests on specific aircraft components and subsystems, at least two of said test applications comprising instructions for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems, for storing test results of functional tests performed on the aircraft, and for storing an indication of which said functional tests should be performed on the aircraft after particular work processes are performed; (b) a test access station connected to said central control unit having input/output means for entering into said central control unit an indication of work processes performed on the aircraft wherein said central control unit responds to said indication of work processes performed on the aircraft by generating a message on said test access station input/output means indicating the functional tests that need to be performed on the aircraft in response to the work processes performed thereon; and (c) a plurality of portable automated test equipment carts, each cart having instruments for performing functional tests on the aircraft in response to said test applications, at least two of said carts having instruments for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems, said carts each further having means for storing said test applications and test results of functional tests performed on the aircraft, and connection means for electronically connecting each said cart to said central control unit so that said test applications can be loaded from said central control unit to each said cart and so that said test results can be loaded from each said cart to said central control unit. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. An integrated aircraft test system for functionally testing a plurality of aircraft components and subsystems, said test system comprising:
-
(a) a central control unit with memory means for storing;
a plurality of test applications used for performing functional tests on specific aircraft components and subsystems, at least two of said test applications comprising instructions for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems;
instruction sets of functional tests manually performed on the aircraft;
test results of said functional tests performed on the aircraft; and
, an indication of which said functional tests should be performed on the aircraft after particular work processes are performed;(b) a test access station connected to said central control unit having input/output means for entering into said central control unit an indication of work processes performed on the aircraft wherein said central control unit responds to said indication of work processes performed on the aircraft by generating a message on said test access station input/output means indicating the functional tests that need to be performed on the aircraft in response to the work processes performed thereon; (c) a plurality of portable automated test equipment carts, each cart having instruments for performing functional tests on the aircraft in response to said test applications, at least two of said carts having instruments for performing functional tests on different aircraft components and subsystems, said carts each further having means for storing said test applications and test results of functional tests performed on the aircraft, and connection means for electronically connecting each said cart to said central control unit so that said test applications can be loaded from said central control unit to each said cart and so that said test results can be loaded from each said cart to said central control unit; and (d) a portable remote access terminal comprising;
memory means for storing said instruction sets and said test results;
display means for displaying instructional information regarding functional tests performed on the aircraft in response to said stored instruction sets;
data entry means for manually entering said test results of functional tests performed on the aircraft; and
, connection means for electronically connecting said remote access terminal to said central control unit so that said instruction sets can be loaded from said central control unit to said remote access terminal and so that said test results can be loaded from said remote access terminal to said central control unit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
Specification