Method and system for uploading and downloading engine control data

• US 20040056766A1
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Butz, Mark Gerard, DePew, Kimberly Anne, Schuster, Richard Francis
• Granted Patent: US 6,894,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/00 Controlling gas-turbine plants; Controlling fuel supply in air- breathing jet-propulsion plants controlling air intakes F02C7/057; controlling turbines F01D; controlling compressors F04D27/00; controlling in general G05

Abstract

A method and system for transmitting engine control data to or from the engine control unit of an engine. The system includes a local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with a remote communication unit and a link for transferring data between the local communication unit and the engine control unit. In operation, a wireless communication link is established between the local communication unit and the remote communication unit. Engine control data is transferred between the local communication unit and the engine control unit and transmitted between the local communication unit and the remote communication unit via the wireless communication link.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting data between an engine control unit of an engine and a remote communication unit, said system comprising:

a local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with said remote communication unit; and

means for transferring data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for transferring data includes a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for transferring data includes a plurality of data buses and intermediate equipment connected between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means for transferring data further includes a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said local communication unit is disposed on a craft powered by said engine and said remote communication unit is not disposed on said craft.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an additional local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with said remote communication unit.

7. A system for transmitting engine control data in connection with an engine, said system comprising:

an engine control unit associated with said engine;

a remote communication unit;

a local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with said remote communication unit; and

means for transferring engine control data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said means for transferring data includes a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said means for transferring data includes a plurality of data buses and intermediate equipment connected between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for transferring data further includes a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said local communication unit is disposed on a craft powered by said engine and said remote communication unit is not disposed on said craft.

12. The system of claim 7 further comprising an additional local communication unit capable of establishing a wireless communication link with said remote communication unit.

13. A method for transmitting data between an engine control unit of an engine and a remote communication unit, said method comprising:

providing a local communication unit;

establishing a wireless communication link between said local communication unit and said remote communication unit;

transmitting data via said wireless communication link; and

transferring data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit is used to transfer data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein a plurality of data buses and intermediate equipment connected between said local communication unit and said engine control unit are used to transfer data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said local communication unit is disposed on a craft powered by said engine and said remote communication unit is not disposed on said craft.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising transmitting a confirmation message from said local communication unit to said remote communication unit via said wireless communication link upon completion of a successful data transmission.

18. A method for transmitting engine control data in connection with an engine, said method comprising:

providing an engine control unit associated with said engine;

providing a remote communication unit;

providing a local communication unit

establishing a wireless communication link between said local communication unit and said remote communication unit;

transmitting engine control data said local communication unit and said remote communication unit via said wireless communication link; and

transferring engine control data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein a direct data bus between said local communication unit and said engine control unit is used to transfer engine control data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein a plurality of data buses and intermediate equipment connected between said local communication unit and said engine control unit are used to transfer engine control data between said local communication unit and said engine control unit.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said local communication unit is disposed on a craft powered by said engine and said remote communication unit is not disposed on said craft.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting a confirmation message from said local communication unit to said remote communication unit via said wireless communication link upon completion of a successful engine control data transmission.