System and method of automated fault analysis and diagnostic testing of an aircraft
First Claim
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, at a ground-based maintenance test server system, 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, and wherein the test checklist is generated by the ground-based maintenance test server system;
thereafter, transmitting the test checklist from the ground-based maintenance test server system to the onboard maintenance test client system during the data communication session;
thereafter, receiving a test report at an air traffic control system, the test report comprising results of maintenance tests specified on the test checklist, wherein the maintenance tests are performed onboard the aircraft in response to receiving the test checklist from the ground-based maintenance test server system;
reviewing the test report at the air traffic control system to determine that the aircraft is flight worthy;
in response to determining that the aircraft is flight worthy, sending an approval message from the air traffic control system to an airlines operations center; and
in response to the approval message, sending a takeoff approval message from the airlines operations center to the onboard maintenance test client system.
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Accused Products
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.
48 Citations
19 Claims
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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:
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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, at a ground-based maintenance test server system, 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, and wherein the test checklist is generated by the ground-based maintenance test server system; thereafter, transmitting the test checklist from the ground-based maintenance test server system to the onboard maintenance test client system during the data communication session; thereafter, receiving a test report at an air traffic control system, the test report comprising results of maintenance tests specified on the test checklist, wherein the maintenance tests are performed onboard the aircraft in response to receiving the test checklist from the ground-based maintenance test server system; reviewing the test report at the air traffic control system to determine that the aircraft is flight worthy; in response to determining that the aircraft is flight worthy, sending an approval message from the air traffic control system to an airlines operations center; and in response to the approval message, sending a takeoff approval message from the airlines operations center to the onboard maintenance test client system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft, the method comprising:
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establishing a data communication session between an onboard maintenance test client system and a ground-based system after the aircraft has landed, the data communication session using at least one wireless data communication link; sending diagnostic data from the onboard maintenance test client system 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 wherein the test checklist is obtained at the onboard maintenance test client system; and thereafter, completing at least one test specified in the test checklist, and generating an associated test report; providing the test report to an air traffic control system; reviewing the test report at the air traffic control system to determine that the aircraft is flight worthy; in response to determining that the aircraft is flight worthy, sending an approval message from the air traffic control system to an airlines operations center; and in response to the approval message, sending a takeoff approval message from the airlines operations center to the onboard maintenance test client system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a maintenance test client system onboard the aircraft; and a ground-based maintenance test server system that is remote from the aircraft; an air traffic control system; and an airlines operations center; 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; the maintenance test client system being further configured to wirelessly receive the test checklist, to initiate execution of at least one test specified in the test checklist, and to generate a test report that includes results of the at least one test specified in the test checklist; the maintenance test client system being further configured to provide the test report to the air traffic control system; the air traffic control system being configured to review the test report to determine that the aircraft is flight worthy, and to send an approval message to the airlines operations center; and the airlines operation center being configured to respond to the approval message by sending a takeoff approval message to the onboard maintenance test client system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification