Aircraft electrical system evaluation
First Claim
1. A magneto characterization system for an aircraft having first and second magnetos, comprising:
- (a) an engine operation rate sensor;
(b) a memory device adapted to store a signal responsive to the engine operation rate sensor;
(c) a user-controllable switch mounted with the first and second magnetos such that the switch can enable the first magneto only, the second magneto only, or both the first magneto and the second magneto, or disable both magnetos;
(d) a switch sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of the position of the user-controllable switch; and
(e) a controller responsive to the switch sensor and the engine operation rate sensor, adapted to store in the memory device a signal indicative of the engine operation rate sensor output while the switch sensor indicates that one of the first and second magnetos is enabled, and to communicate to a pilot a relationship between (i) the engine operation rate sensor output while the switch sensor indicates that the other magneto is enabled and (ii) the stored signal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer implemented function monitors the position of the magneto switch in an aircraft to provide real-time feedback of engine RPM drop during a magneto (mag) check and communicates whether parameters are within limits. The function can also monitor engine and groundspeed/airspeed data in an aircraft to verify the magneto switch is in the correct position during engine start, takeoff and flight and can provide an alert to the pilot if the switch is not in the correct position. The automated magneto check function provides an easy way to test the operation of the aircraft'"'"'s engine-driven magnetos and provides additional safety by alerting the pilot to unsafe positioning of the switch.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A magneto characterization system for an aircraft having first and second magnetos, comprising:
-
(a) an engine operation rate sensor; (b) a memory device adapted to store a signal responsive to the engine operation rate sensor; (c) a user-controllable switch mounted with the first and second magnetos such that the switch can enable the first magneto only, the second magneto only, or both the first magneto and the second magneto, or disable both magnetos; (d) a switch sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of the position of the user-controllable switch; and (e) a controller responsive to the switch sensor and the engine operation rate sensor, adapted to store in the memory device a signal indicative of the engine operation rate sensor output while the switch sensor indicates that one of the first and second magnetos is enabled, and to communicate to a pilot a relationship between (i) the engine operation rate sensor output while the switch sensor indicates that the other magneto is enabled and (ii) the stored signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification