Data plate

Abstract

A system for tracking aircraft parts, that has a tamperproof part tracking device affixed to an aircraft part connected to a transmitter attached that sends a signal corresponding to the part tracking device to a receiver that relays the signal to a data processing device. The data processing device is connected to a database populated with data of expected values of signals related to an aircraft part. The data processing device compare the expected value to the signal and produces an output signal that indicate whether the signal was within the tolerance of the expected value.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] This invention generally relates to helicopter maintenance. More specifically, this invention relates to a system for tracking the helicopter and its key components throughout the lifespan of the helicopter to provide authentication that the helicopter can safely and legally be flown in a civilian fleet. [0003] 2. Background Information [0004] As a helicopter is built it is important not only to the manufacturer to track the helicopter and the parts placed thereon, but also to the initial customer, subsequent purchasers, repair operations and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The value of a helicopter in the is directly dependant on the data plate. If the original data plate on a helicopter is absent, regardless of whether it was lost, damaged, removed, forgotten or missing, the data plate is assumed to have been deliberately removed. Based on that assumption, the FAA has regulated that a helicopter sans data plat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an electronic data plate for helicopters that can track critical information related to the helicopter to which it is attached. The data plate is uniquely identifiable, cannot be removed without being damaged, and is designed to be updated with additional information about the helicopter. The data plate helps prevent the creation and transfer of fictitious data plates, and also prevents the recertification of the aircraft before sale and certifies the status of updates performed on the aircraft. The invention also provides a method for predicting the life of a component.

Problems solved by technology

If a helicopter is not airworthy, it may not be flown or transferred to another party.

Additionally, it puts all the parts on the airframe in doubt as to whether the parts are serviceable.

The financial impact of removing a data plate without authorization is estimated to be a cost in the range of millions of dollars for a helicopter that still flies.

Given that the prior art data plate is merely an etched or engraved piece of metal, data plate duplication could be a highly lucrative, although illegal, business.

In order to recertify the helicopter and reissue the data plate, considerable time and energy must be spent checking all the aircraft systems.

Given that the FAA allows the complete helicopter to keep its airworthiness status simply because it has the data plate, a subsequent purchaser or user and the original manufacturer has a tremendous risk associated with that complete aircraft.

Currently, a subsequent purchaser of a helicopter cannot determine whether or not the components on a helicopter have been present for 10 days or 10 years or whether they are the original part.