DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING MULTISTAGE DECISION OPTIMIZATION FOR AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT DISPATCH

• US 20040111197A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kipersztok, Oscar, Dildy, Glenn A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,751,536 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems

Abstract

A diagnostic system and method for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch. The diagnostic system includes an interface for receiving one or more inputs relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft. The diagnostic system extends an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model by adding an explicit value function into the VOI diagnostic model to accommodate various variables associated with the aircraft preflight dispatch problem. The construction of the entropy-based VOI diagnostic model and thus the extended VOI diagnostic model are both based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability. The diagnostic system determines an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.

Claims

1. A method for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch, the method comprising:

extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch;

receiving an input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft; and

determining an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the optimal maintenance action comprises at least one of:

performing an optimal test to refine a prioritization of the plurality of suspect components;

repairing a suspect component;

replacing a suspect component;

deferring maintenance on a suspect component;

delaying a flight;

canceling a flight; and

canceling a flight and replacing the aircraft.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an optimal maintenance action comprises:

correlating the input relating to the observed symptoms with one or more suspect components that are each capable of causing the observed symptoms upon failure in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model;

prioritizing the suspect components based upon a relative likelihood that the respective suspect components caused the at least one observed symptom;

identifying and prioritizing one or more tests that can each be performed to refine the prioritization of the plurality of suspect components; and

using the prioritized listing of tests to at least one of;

identify an optimal test to perform;

or in the alternative, and determine that testing should stop.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input relating to an outcome of a test;

re-determining the optimal maintenance action in light of the outcome of the test.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input relating to a remedial action undertaken with respect to at least one suspect component; and

re-determining the optimal maintenance action in light of the remedial action.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the construction of entropy-based VOI diagnostic model and the extended VOI diagnostic model are based upon a Bayesian network.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more variables accommodated by the extended VOI diagnostic model comprise at least one of:

a decision parameter;

a utility function;

a constraint;

a cost function;

a cost limit;

a time deadline;

an airworthiness guideline;

maintenance crew expertise;

labor availability;

a future destination of the aircraft;

repair equipment availability; and

component availability.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more variables accommodated by the extended VOI diagnostic model comprise:

a test decision; and

a repair decision interleaved with the test decision.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the test decision comprises at least one of;

performing an optimal test to refine a prioritization of the plurality of suspect components; and

stopping testing and addressing the repair decision;

the repair decision comprises at least one of;

repairing a suspect component;

replacing a suspect component;

deferring maintenance on a suspect component;

delaying a flight;

canceling a flight; and

canceling a flight and replacing the aircraft.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the test decision is stopping testing and addressing the repair decision when no test having a positive value of information (VOI) or an estimated time and cost of completion within cost and time constraints prescribed for dispatch of the aircraft can be identified.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the optimal test to perform includes a positive net VOI and an estimated time and cost of completion within cost and time constraints associated with the dispatch of the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the optimal maintenance action to at least one aircraft personnel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the optimal maintenance action to at least one aircraft personnel comprises providing the optimal maintenance action to the aircraft.

15. A method for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch, the method comprising:

extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model to aircraft preflight dispatch, the VOI diagnostic model being constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch, the one or more variables comprising at least one of;

a decision parameter;

a utility function;

a value function;

a constraint;

a cost function;

a cost limit;

a time deadline;

an airworthiness guideline;

maintenance crew expertise;

labor availability;

a future destination of the aircraft;

repair equipment availability; and

component availability;

receiving an input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft; and

determining an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms, the optimal maintenance action comprising at least one of;

performing an optimal test;

repairing a suspect component;

replacing a suspect component;

deferring maintenance on a suspect component;

delaying a flight;

canceling a flight; and

canceling a flight and replacing the aircraft.

16. A diagnostic system for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch, the diagnostic system comprising:

an interface for receiving input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft;

a computer executable module for extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch; and

a computer executable module for determining an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.

17. The diagnostic system of claim 16, wherein the computer executable module for determining an optimal maintenance action comprises:

a computer executable module for correlating the input relating to the observed symptoms with one or more suspect components that are each capable of causing the observed symptoms upon failure in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model;

a computer executable module for prioritizing the suspect components based upon a relative likelihood that the respective suspect components caused the at least one observed symptom;

a computer executable module for identifying and prioritizing one or more tests to be performed in order to refine the prioritization of the plurality of suspect components; and

a computer executable module for using the prioritized listing of tests to at least one of;

identify an optimal test to perform;

or in the alternative, and

determine that testing should stop.

18. The diagnostic system of claim 16, wherein the interface receives an input relating to an outcome of a test;

and further comprising a computer executable module for re-determining the optimal maintenance action in light of the outcome of the test.

19. The diagnostic system of claim 16, wherein the interface receives an input relating to a remedial action undertaken with respect to at least one suspect component;

and further comprising a computer executable module for re-determining the optimal maintenance action in light of the remedial action.

20. The diagnostic system of claim 16, further comprising at least one database containing at least one of:

component data;

test data;

data relating to the correlation between observed symptoms and suspect components; and

other data relating to aircraft preflight dispatch.

21. The diagnostic system of claim 16, further comprising an output component for outputting the optimal maintenance action to at least one aircraft personnel.

22. The diagnostic system of claim 16, further comprising at least one bidirectional data link between the diagnostic system and the aircraft, the diagnostic system using the bidirectional data link to provide the optimal maintenance action to the aircraft.

23. A method for enabling multistage decision optimization in a maintenance troubleshooting operation, the method comprising:

extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to components of a mobile platform and input-output relationships of the components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with the maintenance troubleshooting operation;

receiving an input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in the mobile platform; and

determining an optimal maintenance action for the mobile platform in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.