Wireless aircraft engine communication system

Abstract

An engine communication system for aircraft engines having a nacelle with two cowlings extending annularly about the aircraft engine and defining a radially outward surface thereof, and at least one sensor positioned radially inward from the nacelle. The system includes a cowling gap positioned between the two cowlings when coupled together, and an engine control device communicatively coupled tothe sensor and configured to at least one of receive engine data from the sensor and receive instruction data from a transmitter device positioned radially outward from the cowling gap. The system also includes a linearly polarized antenna communicatively coupled to the engine control device and positioned radially inward from the cowling gap and extending radially outward toward the cowling gap.The antenna is configured to at least one of receive and transmit the engine data and the instruction data through the cowling gap.

Description

Background technique [0001] The field of the disclosure relates generally to aircraft engine data communications, and more particularly to wireless data links for aircraft engines, including the use of linearly polarized antennas coupled to the engines that facilitate wireless transmission of engine data through openings in the nacelle. [0002] It is known that aircraft engines are generally housed in a nacelle that protects the complex engine components from foreign objects, provides an aerodynamic cowling for the engine and, in the case of a turbofan engine, a flow path for the engine's thrust. Furthermore, since weight reduction is key in aircraft and nacelle structures, many known nacelles are manufactured using aluminum or carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials that are lightweight, durable, strong and able to meet the structural and functional requirements of the aircraft's propulsion system. However, materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced polymers gr...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such surface-mounted antennas on the nacelle negatively affect the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft and generally require a time-consuming and costly redesign of the nacelle

Additionally, surface-mounted antennas require lightning protection to protect the low-voltage antenna and RF module, adding time, complexity, and expense

Since aircraft engines are housed in nacelles constructed of aluminum or carbon fiber, any wireless signal propagating from inside the nacelle is greatly attenuated, resulting in poor signal quality and difficulty in wirelessly collecting engine data from outside the nacelle

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