Jumper wire, module and method for diagnosing the state of health of a plurality of electrical cables

Abstract

The invention relates to a jumper wire (6-A, 6-B, 6-C) for connecting an electrical cable (100-A, 100-B, 100-C) to a test device (2) with a view to diagnosing the state of health of the electrical cable (100-A, 100-B, 100-C), said jumper wire (6-A, 6-B, 6-C) comprising: an output port (7) configured to interact with an input port (3) of the test device (2), an input connector (8-A, 8-B, 8-C) configured to interact with a connector (110-A, 110-B, 110-C) of the electrical cable (100-A, 100-B, 100-C), and a data-storing element (9-A, 9-B, 9-C) that contains predetermined test data on the electrical cable (100-A, 100-B, 100-C) and that is electrically connected to the output port (7) by at least one data-transmitting wire (12), said data-storing element (9- A, 9-B, 9-C) being configured to deliver the test data to the test device (2).

Description

Connection strap, module and method for diagnosing the health status of a plurality of electrical cables

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of diagnosing the health status of a plurality of electrical cables, in particular in an aircraft during maintenance.

[0002] As is known, an aircraft comprises a multitude of electrical cables, in particular harnesses known as "electrical looms" or "electrical distribution routes". Each electrical cable is sized to ensure the transport of electrical energy from an electrical power supply unit to aircraft equipment, known as an "electrical load". Aircraft equipment is, for example, in the form of sensors and actuators, in particular mounted in the turbomachine of one or more propulsion units of the aircraft to control its speed.

[0003] As is known, each electrical cable comprises a set of electrical wires, called "strands", grouped together by a protective sheath. Each electrical cable comprises an input connector connected to the electrical power supply unit and an output connector connected to the aircraft equipment to ensure its electrical power supply. The electrical cable is installed in the aircraft and fixed to the structure using, in particular, clamps and retaining clips.

[0004] In practice, during maintenance, it is necessary to check the health of all electrical cables, which involves, for each cable, checking in particular the electrical continuity and insulation of each electrical wire. The continuity check consists of checking that the electrical wire is not interrupted or damaged between the connectors. The electrical insulation check consists of checking that the electrical wire is not in electrical contact with a neighboring electrical wire, which could cause a short circuit.

[0005] Such a maintenance operation is time-consuming and error-prone given the number and complexity of the electrical cables. In addition, it must be carried out on board the aircraft to avoid lengthy and costly cable removal and any risk of error during reassembly. Another difficulty arises from the fact that the connectors for the electrical cables are not universal but depend on both the turbomachine and the electrical equipment they connect. In practice, there are a multitude of types of cables with specific input and / or output connectors.

[0006] Patent application FR3078791A1 discloses a portable diagnostic device for performing electrical tests on the electrical cables of an aircraft turbomachine. The diagnosis is performed cable by cable. The cable is disconnected from the equipment to which it is connected and then connected to the diagnostic device via a specific connection jumper, serving as an adapter between a connector on the cable and an input connector on the diagnostic device. There are thus as many connection jumpers as there are cable types. The cable identification data is manually entered into the diagnostic device via a human-machine interface, so as to select the appropriate test program for the cable to be checked.

[0007] In practice, such maintenance requires a large number of manual operations, which is time-consuming and error-prone given the quantity of cables to be tested. In particular, an error in entering identification data can lead to an incorrect selection of the test program, and consequently provide an inconsistent health status of the electrical cable, or in some cases even degrade the electrical cable.

[0008] Furthermore, such a diagnostic device has the disadvantage of not being scalable. For each new type of cable not listed in the diagnostic device, it is necessary to provide a software update of the diagnostic device to have an adequate test program, which requires returning it to the manufacturer.

[0009] Also known from patent applications EP1149292A1 and EP2643703A1 is a diagnostic device with multiple inputs allowing multiple electrical cables to be connected simultaneously. Such a solution is bulky, which is undesirable.

[0010] Also known from patent application EP2273278A2 is a test system with adapters that are connected to a combination of electrical contacts of the test system, determined by successive tests. This requires a switching matrix and does not solve the aforementioned space requirement problem.

[0011] The invention thus aims to eliminate at least some of these drawbacks. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention relates to a jumper for connecting an electrical cable to a test device for diagnosing the health status of the electrical cable, said jumper comprising: an output port configured to cooperate with an input port of the test device and an input connector configured to cooperate with a connector of the electrical cable, the input connector being electrically connected to the output port.

[0013] The invention is remarkable in that the connecting strap comprises at least one data storage element comprising predetermined test data of the electrical cable, said data storage element being electrically connected to the output port by at least one data transmission wire, said data storage element being configured to provide the test data to the test device.

[0014] The connection jumper thus has two functions, namely to ensure the electrical interconnection between the electric cable and the test device on the one hand, and to transmit the test data from the electric cable to the test device on the other hand.

[0015] The connection strap according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to reduce the number of manual operations during the maintenance of an electric cable. Indeed, the data storage element makes it possible to automatically transmit to the test device the test data necessary to implement the maintenance (references of the electric cable, voltage and current values, etc.). The operator advantageously no longer needs to manually enter the test data into the test device, which saves time. This also avoids the risk of errors during entry. In addition, the test data is more precise than cable identification information as in the prior art, which allows for more precise and reliable tests to be carried out.

[0016] Furthermore, no specific operation is required to connect the data storage element to the test device. Indeed, the data storage element is wired to the output port of the jumper so that its connection to the test device ensures that of the data storage element to the test device.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the input connector of the jumper is configured to mate by form fit only with the connector of the electrical cable whose test data is stored in the data storage element. This advantageously ensures mechanical keying. The physical compatibility of the connectors of the jumper and the electrical cable ensures that the transmitted test data is that relating to the connected electrical cable and not another. This avoids having to verify that the stored test data corresponds to that of the connected electrical cable.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the jumper comprises at least one power supply wire connecting the data storage element to the output port, allowing power supply of the data storage element by the test device when the jumper is connected thereto. Power supply of the data storage element is thus implemented in a simple and practical manner: the connection of the output port of the jumper to the test device allows both transmission of the test data and power supply of the data storage element.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the connection strap comprises at least one electrical test wire connecting the output port to the input connector, the output port comprising a protruding portion comprising an inner face facing the electrical test wire, said data storage element being positioned against the inner face of the protruding portion. The data storage element is advantageously protected from external aggression, such as mechanical shocks. The same applies to the data transmission and / or power supply wires.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the connection strap comprises a sheath surrounding the electrical test wire, said data storage element being fixed to the sheath. The data storage element is thus fixed in a simple and practical manner on a connection strap. In particular, it is thus possible to make a connection strap according to the prior art compatible and usable with a test device as presented in this application, by integrating such a data storage element.

[0021] The invention also relates to a module for diagnosing the health status of at least one electrical cable, said diagnostic module comprising a test device and at least one connection jumper as described above, the test device comprising at least one input port cooperating with the output port of the connection jumper to electrically connect them in a removable manner, the input connector of the connection jumper being configured to cooperate with a connector of the electrical cable, the test device being configured to:read the test data stored in the data storage element of the connection jumper, andperform a test comprising:emitting at least one test signal into the electrical cable via the connection jumper, the test signal being determined from the test data, andmeasuring at least one response signal of the electrical cable, via the connection jumper,in order to determine the health of the electric cable.,

[0022] The diagnostic module according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to ensure simple, rapid and reliable maintenance of one or more different types of cables. Indeed, the integration of a data storage element in the connection strap makes it possible to automatically transmit the test data specific to the electrical cable to the test device. This avoids having to enter or select them manually in the test device, thus ensuring a saving in time and a reduction in the risk of error during maintenance.

[0023] The diagnostic module advantageously allows the maintenance of an electric cable to be implemented autonomously. The diagnostic module of the invention is also advantageously scalable. To ensure the maintenance of a new type of electric cable, it is sufficient to provide a new connection strap with a suitable input connector and a data storage element configured with corresponding test data. There is no intervention or modification of the test device itself, which is particularly advantageous and effective, both in terms of time and cost savings: no need to return the test device to the factory for updating.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the test data is in the form of at least one of the following: code data to be executed by said test device, the selection of a test to be executed from a list of tests of the test device and / or at least one test parameter for executing a test of the test device. Such test data formats contribute to making the diagnostic module scalable. Indeed, the test data makes it possible to supplement and / or select a generic test program stored in the test device, which makes it possible to generate a very wide variety of possible tests, specific to each type of electrical cable.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the data storage element of the connection slip also comprises validation data and the test device is configured to: determine at least one reference signal from the validation data, and compare the response signal to the reference signal.

[0026] The data storage element thus comprises two types of data specific to the electrical cable to be tested, namely test data allowing the test device to develop the test program(s) to be implemented, and validation data allowing the test device to analyze the measured response signals. The proposed diagnostic module thus advantageously makes it possible to autonomously analyze the measurements to provide a diagnosis of the state of health of an electrical cable to the operator. The operator thus obtains a simple and rapid diagnosis, in situ, using this single module.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the diagnostic module comprises a plurality of jumper cables, at least two of which have an input connector of different shapes and different test data. Each jumper cable advantageously allows the specific test data of a type of electrical cable to be connected and transmitted to the test device. The keying provided by the shape of the input connector of each jumper cable ensures that the pre-recorded test data corresponds to that of the compatible electrical cable to be tested.

[0028] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the test device of the diagnostic module comprises a single input port configured to cooperate alternately with the output port of each connection jumper. The test device is thus particularly compact, with a single, universal input connector.

[0029] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the diagnostic module is portable. Such a module is particularly suitable for carrying out maintenance on the electrical cables of an aircraft, in particular the turbomachine, in situ. This makes it possible to avoid long and costly cable removal operations, and to avoid the risk of errors during reassembly.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a connection strap as described above comprising: a step of electrically connecting the data storage element to the output port, and a step of programming test data in the data storage element.

[0031] These steps are advantageously simple, quick and inexpensive to implement. These steps could possibly be implemented on an existing connection ramp, for a given type of electrical cable, allowing it to be used with the test device of the present application.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for diagnosing the health status of at least one electrical cable by means of a jumper as described above, test data of the electrical cable being initially stored in the data storage element of the jumper, the diagnostic method comprising:a step of connecting the jumper to a test device,a step of connecting the jumper to the electrical cable,a step of reading, by the test device, the test data stored in the data storage element of the jumper, andexecuting a test comprising:a step of transmitting, by the test device, at least one test signal into the electrical cable, via the jumper, the test signal ST being determined from the test data DT, anda step of measuring, by the test device, at least one response signal of the electrical cable,via the connection strap, in order to determine the health of the electrical cable.,

[0033] Such a diagnostic method is advantageously simple and quick to implement. Indeed, it is not necessary to manually enter or select the test data relating to the electrical cable, this data being transmitted immediately and automatically to the data storage element. The reading step also makes the method more reliable in that it avoids errors linked to the manual entry of test data.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the diagnostic method comprises a step of selecting a connection jumper whose input connector is configured to cooperate with the connector of the electrical cable. The diagnostic method is advantageously compatible with a wide range of cable types, by providing the appropriate connection jumper.

[0035] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the diagnostic method comprises: a step of reading, by the test device, the validation data stored in the data storage element of the connection strap, a step of comparing, by the test device, the response signal with a reference signal, determined from the validation data.

[0036] The diagnostic method advantageously allows the measured response signal to be analyzed in order to provide a diagnosis of the health status of the electric cable, with the same tool (diagnostic module) and in-situ (without dismantling the cable). The diagnosis is also relevant because it is determined from the validation data specific to the electric cable.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the diagnostic method is implemented for at least one electrical cable in an aircraft propulsion assembly, said electrical cable initially connecting an aircraft computer to a piece of turbomachine equipment, said diagnostic method comprising a preliminary step of disconnecting the connector of the electrical cable connecting it to the turbomachine equipment. Such a diagnostic method advantageously makes it possible to avoid removing the aircraft turbomachine, which saves time and avoids any risk of error during reassembly. In addition, the diagnostic method can advantageously be implemented for all harnesses with a single diagnostic module. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0038] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of example, and referring to the following figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects.

[0039] This is a schematic representation of a turbomachine harness health diagnostic module according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0040] This is a schematic representation of the diagnostic module in use.

[0041] This is a longitudinal sectional representation of a connection strap of the diagnostic module of the.

[0042] This is a schematic representation of a method of manufacturing the connecting strap according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] This is a schematic representation of the diagnostic module test device.

[0044] This is a schematic representation of a method for diagnosing the health status of a turbomachine harness according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0045] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The invention relates to a device and a method for diagnosing the health of electrical cables. The invention is described below in the context of the maintenance of electrical cables of an aircraft, for which the invention was developed. However, it goes without saying that it is applicable to any type of electrical cable.

[0047] As described in the preamble, an aircraft comprises a multitude of electrical cables, in particular harnesses known as "electrical looms" or "electrical distribution routes". Each electrical cable is sized to ensure the transport of electrical energy from an electrical power supply unit to aircraft equipment, known as an "electrical load". Aircraft equipment is, for example, in the form of sensors and actuators, in particular mounted in the turbomachine of one or more propulsion units of the aircraft to control its speed.

[0048] As is known, each electrical cable comprises a set of electrical wires, called "strands", grouped together by a protective sheath. Each electrical cable comprises an input connector connected to the electrical power supply unit and an output connector connected to the aircraft equipment to ensure its electrical power supply. The electrical cable is installed in the aircraft and fixed to the structure using, in particular, clamps and retaining clips.

[0049] In practice, electrical cables are not universal but depend in particular on the turbomachine and the equipment they connect. There are thus a large number of different types of cables, each comprising specific input and / or output connectors. The diagram illustrates schematically, as an example, three electrical cables 100-A, 100-B, 100-C whose output connector 110-A, 110-B, 110-C is disconnected from the turbomachine equipment 400. Each output connector 110-A, 110-B, 110-C has a specific shape, different from the others. Note that the shape as such of the output connectors 110-A, 110-B, 110-C is not intended to be realistic on the. In practice, the shape of a connector 110 depends in particular on the number of contacts it has, equal to the number of electrical wires in the electrical cable 100.

[0050] In practice, during maintenance, it is necessary to check the health of all the electrical cables 100, which requires in particular checking the electrical continuity and insulation of each electrical wire. The continuity check consists of checking that the electrical wire is not interrupted or damaged between the connectors. The electrical insulation check consists of checking that the electrical wire is not in electrical contact with a neighboring electrical wire, which could generate a short circuit. These tests include in particular a measurement of the electrical resistance of each electrical wire of each cable 100. Preferably, a capacitance control test is also implemented for each wire to check the health of the cables 100. The capacitance check consists of measuring the capacitance value between each wire of the cable 100 and its internal shielding attached to a contact of the output connector 110.

[0051] To do this, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the invention relates to a diagnostic module 1 comprising a test device 2 as well as one or more connection jumpers 6. Each connection jumper 6 comprises: an output port 7 configured to cooperate with an input port 3 of the test device 2, to electrically connect to the test device 2 in a removable manner, an input connector 8 configured to cooperate with a connector 110 of an electrical cable 100 to be diagnosed, the input connector being electrically connected to the output port, and a data storage element 9 comprising predetermined test data DT of the electrical cable 100 and electrically connected to the output port 7 by at least one data transmission wire 12, the data storage element 9 being configured to provide the test data DT to the test device 2.

[0052] Still according to the invention and with reference to figures 2 and 3, the test device 2 is configured to:read the test data DT stored in the data storage element 9 of the connection jumper 6,perform a test comprising:emitting a test signal ST in the electrical cable 100 via the connection jumper 6, the test signal ST being determined from the test data DT andmeasuring at least one response signal SR of the electrical cable 100, via the connection jumper 6, so as to determine the health status ES of the electrical cable 100.

[0053] The diagnostic module 1 comprises in practice as many connection straps 6 as there are types of electrical cables 100, so as to be able to carry out maintenance on all the electrical cables 100 of the aircraft, and in particular of the turbomachine 500. In the example comprising three types of electrical cables 100-A, 100-B, 100-C, the diagnostic module thus comprises three connection straps 6-A, 6-B, 6-C.

[0054] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each connecting jumper 6-A, 6-B, 6-C provides the electrical interconnection between an electrical cable 100-A, 100-B, 100-C of a given type and the test device 2. The diagnostic module 1 thus requires only a single test device 2 to test all the cables 100. Each connecting jumper 6-A, 6-B, 6-C also provides the transmission of DT test data specific to the electrical cable 100-A, 100-B, 100-C such as the references of the electrical cable, the test voltage and current values, etc. This avoids having to enter or select them manually in the test device 2. For example, the second connection jumper 6-B makes it possible to connect the second electrical cable 100-B to the test device 2, and to transmit to it the test data DT-B relating to the second electrical cable 100-B.

[0055] The diagnostic module 1 is advantageously scalable. To test an electrical cable of a new type, it is sufficient to provide a new connection strap 6 equipped with the adapted connector 8 and a data storage element 9 configured with the specific test data DT of the cable, readable by the test device 2. No update of the test device 2 is necessary. Indeed, the test data DT gives all the information necessary for the test device 2 to carry out the adapted test, namely to measure electrical parameters of the cable 100. Preferably, the data storage element 9 also includes validation data DV making it possible to compare the measurements with reference data and thus conclude on the state of health of the electrical cable 100.

[0056] Preferably, the diagnostic module 1 consists solely of the test device 2 and the connecting jumpers 6-A, 6-B, 6-C. The diagnostic module 1 is advantageously portable, which allows maintenance to be carried out on board the aircraft. It is sufficient to disconnect the cables 100 from the aircraft equipment and connect them to the test device 2 via the suitable connecting jumper 6-A, 6-B, 6-C. This avoids a long and costly removal of the electrical cables 100 as well as a risk of error during reassembly. The connecting jumpers 6 are preferably flexible to facilitate the connection.

[0057] The structural and functional characteristics of the connecting straps 6 and the test device 2 are described in more detail below.

[0058] As illustrated in the, each connection jumper 6 comprises electrical test wires 10 electrically connecting the input connector 8 to the output port 7. The electrical test wires 10 make it possible to electrically connect the electrical cable 100 and the test device 2, and in particular to ensure the transmission of the ST test and SR response signals.

[0059] As illustrated in the, the data storage element 9 is electrically connected to the output port 7 by data transmission wires 12. The data transmission wires 12 allow safe, reliable and fast transmission of the test data DT to the test device 2. According to a preferred aspect, power supply wires 13 also connect the data storage element 9 to the output port 7. This allows the power supply of the data storage element 9 by the test device 2 to be ensured in a simple and practical manner. In the example of the, the power supply wires 13 are shown separately from the data transmission wires 12 but it goes without saying that they could be confused.

[0060] With reference to the, the data storage element 9 is mounted on the connection strap 6. According to a preferred aspect, a protective sheath 11 surrounds the electrical test wires 10, on which the data storage element 9 is fixed. Preferably, the data storage element 9 is mounted in the vicinity of the output port 7, preferably less than 10 cm, to reduce the length of the data transmission wires 12 and power supply wires 13. By being as close as possible to the output port 7, the data storage element 9 is protected by the armature of the output port 7 as well as from possible electromagnetic disturbances.

[0061] According to a preferred aspect illustrated in the, the output port 7 comprises a projecting portion 14, which extends projectingly towards the input connector 8. The projecting portion 14 comprises an inner face 15 facing the sheath 11 and the electrical test wires 10, which together define a housing, in which the data storage element 9 is mounted. The data storage element 9 thus extends against the inner face 15 of the projecting portion 14, which ensures its protection in particular against impacts. This also makes it possible to protect the data transmission wires 12 and the electrical supply wires 13.

[0062] Preferably, the data storage element 9 is in the form of an electronic chip comprising a programmable memory so as to store the DT test data therein. Preferably, the memory is reprogrammable in order to be able to modify the DT test data. The DT test data preferably comprises one or more of the following content elements: references of the electrical cable 100, of the turbomachine and / or of the aircraft equipment, the number of the electrical cable 100, the number of contacts of the electrical cable 100, values ​​of electrical test parameters (voltage, current). The DT test data is preferably in the form of one or more of the following elements: code data to be executed by the test device 2, the selection of a test to be executed in a list of tests of the test device 2 and / or one or more test parameters for executing a test of the test device 2.

[0063] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, according to a preferred aspect, the input connector 8 is configured to cooperate by form-fitting with the connector 110 of the electrical cable 100 (keying function). The connecting jumper 6 can thus be connected only with the electrical cable 100 corresponding to the one whose test data DT are stored in the data storage element 9. The physical compatibility guarantees that the test data DT transmitted to the test device 2 are those of the connected electrical cable 100.

[0064] For example, in the, the second input connector 8-B is configured to cooperate by form-fitting with the second connector 110-B of the second electrical cable 100-B, but not with those of the first electrical cable 100-A and the third electrical cable 100-C. Note that the shape as such of the input connectors 8-A, 8-B, 8-C is not intended to be realistic in Figures 2 to 5.

[0065] Illustrates a manufacturing method F of the connection jumper 6, comprising a step F1 of electrically connecting the data storage element 9 to the output port 7, and a step F2 of programming predetermined test data DT into the data storage element 9. The data storage element 9 can advantageously be mounted on an existing connection jumper 6, namely passive and devoid of intelligence. The programming F2 is advantageously done during factory assembly, so that the connection jumper 6 is ready for use by the operator during maintenance.

[0066] With reference to the, the test device 2 comprises an input port 3 configured to cooperate with the output port 7 of each connection jumper 6. The input port 3 is preferably unique, each connection jumper 6 being able to be connected alternately.

[0067] According to a preferred aspect illustrated in the, the test device 2 also comprises a measuring member 4, a control member 5 and a display member 6. The measuring member 4 is in the form of an electrical measuring device, such as a voltmeter, an ammeter or a multimeter. The control member 5 designates for example a microcontroller. The display member 6 is in the form of a screen for example.

[0068] As illustrated in the, the control member 5 is configured to read the test data DT stored in the data storage element 9 and to determine a specific test T of the electrical cable 100 to be checked. The test T specifies the protocol to be implemented to check the health status of the electrical cable 100, and in particular the test signals ST to be transmitted to the electrical cable 100 to measure the electrical resistance of each wire, and preferably its shielding capacity, in order to check the insulation and continuity of the electrical cable 100.

[0069] Preferably, the test T is determined from the test data DT and a test program P recorded in the test device 2, in this example in the control member 5. According to a first aspect, the test data DT are in the form of parameters which make it possible to adapt the test program P to the electric cable 100 to be checked. The choice of the value of one or more parameters makes it possible to have a wide range of different tests. According to a second aspect, the test program P comprises a list of tests and the test data DT make it possible to identify the relevant test in the list. The test T is advantageously determined in a very simple manner. According to a third aspect, the test data DT comprise code data making it possible to complete the test program P to define the test T. This last variant allows the test device 2 to be as scalable as possible, with an unlimited range of tests.is preferably determined solely from the DT test data. The diagnostic module 1 thus makes it possible to autonomously determine the appropriate test and to implement it automatically, without operator intervention.

[0070] As illustrated in the, the control member 5 is configured to transmit the test T to the measuring member 4. The measuring member 4 is configured to execute the test T, namely to transmit the test signals ST via the connection jumper 6 to the electrical cable 100. The measuring member 4 acquires the response signals SR via the connection jumper 6, in response to the test signals ST, and transmits them to the control member 5.

[0071] With reference to the, the control member 5 is configured, from the response signals SR, to determine a health status ES of the electrical cable 100, which is transmitted to the display member 6. Preferably, the control member 5 is configured to compare the response signals to one or more reference signals, defining for example a minimum and / or maximum tolerance threshold with regard to electrical insulation and / or continuity.

[0072] According to a preferred aspect illustrated in the, the reference signals are determined from DV validation data stored in the data storage element 9 and specific to the electrical cable 100. The data storage element 9 comprises both DT test and DV validation data which are both transmitted to the control member 5. This allows individualized control of each electrical cable, which increases reliability. The display member 6 could also directly present the response signals SR as health status ES.

[0073] With reference to the, the invention also relates to a method E for diagnosing the state of health of an electric cable 100 comprising:preferably, a step E0 of disconnecting the electric cable 100, preferably at the output connector 110 connected to the turbomachine equipment (see figures 1 and 2),preferably, a step E1 of selecting the connection jumper 6 as a function of the electric cable 100,a step E2, E3 of connecting the selected connection jumper 6 to the test device 2 and to the electric cable 100,a step E4 of reading the test data DT, and preferably the validation data DV, andexecuting a test comprising:a step E5 of transmitting a test signal ST in the electric cable 100, via the connection jumper 6, the test signal ST being determined from the test data DT,a step E6 of measuring a response signal SR coming from the electric cable 100, via the connecting ramp 6, and preferably,a comparison step E7 of the response signal with a reference signal Sref, so as to determine a health status ES of the electric cable 100.,

[0074] With reference to the, the diagnostic method E can advantageously be implemented on board the aircraft. It makes it no longer necessary to remove and reassemble the various electrical cables of the aircraft. The disconnection step E0 consists of disconnecting the electrical cable 100 to be tested from the aircraft equipment to which it is connected.

[0075] With reference to the, the selection step E2 is preferably implemented from the shape of the connector 110 of the electric cable 100. The connection strap 6 chosen is the one, preferably unique, which cooperates by complementarity of shapes with the electric cable 100, ensuring a keying function. It goes without saying that the selection step E2 could also be implemented from a label or a color code indicating the reference of the connector on the connection strap 6 for example.

[0076] With reference to the, the connection step E2 is implemented manually by the operator by connecting the output port 7 of the connection jumper 6 to the input port 3 of the test device 2. Similarly, the connection step E3 is implemented manually by the operator by connecting the input connector 8 of the connection jumper 6 to the output connector 110 of the electrical cable 100. The connection step E3 is in practice implemented during the selection step E1.

[0077] With reference to the, the reading step E4 is implemented by the test device 2, and more precisely the control member 5. The control member 5 preferably also ensures the electrical supply of the data storage element 9 during the reading step E4.

[0078] With reference to the, the steps of transmitting E5 a test signal ST and measuring E6 a response signal SR are implemented by the test device 2, and more precisely by the calculation unit 4. The test signal ST is preferably specified in a test T, provided by the control unit 5 from the test data DT. The connection jumper 6, and more precisely the electrical test wires 10, ensures the transmission of the test and response signals ST, SR between the electrical cable 100 and the measurement unit 4.

[0079] Preferably, before steps E5 and E6, the execution of the test comprises a step of calibrating the test device 2 with respect to the electric cable 100 to be checked. The calibration step is implemented by determining a tare corresponding to the residual resistance of the electric cable 100. The tare is then deduced from the test signals ST and response SR for a relevant measurement.

[0080] Preferably, the comparison step E7 is implemented by the test device 2, and more precisely by the control member 5, from the validation data DV. The validation data DV make it possible to determine a reference signal Sref to which the response signal SR is compared. The control member 5 then transmits to the display member 6 a health status ES of the electrical cable 100. The reference signal Sref is for example in the form of a tolerance threshold with regard to the electrical insulation and / or continuity criteria. If the response signal SR meets the tolerance threshold, the health status ES is displayed as valid. Otherwise, the health status ES is displayed as invalid. Preferably, the health status ES specifies the electrical wire(s) not meeting the minimum and / or maximum tolerance threshold. The display member 6 can also display the response signal SR for operator control.

[0081] Advantageously, steps E4 to E7 make it possible to independently and automatically check the health of the connected electrical cable 100, i.e. without operator intervention. The operator only intervenes to select the appropriate connection strap 6 and connect it to the test device 2 and to the electrical cable 100. This saves time and improves reliability, in particular in the presence of a large number of electrical cables 100 to be checked in series, such as during the maintenance of the electrical cables 100 of an aircraft 500.

Claims

Diagnostic module (1) for the health status of a plurality of types of electrical cables (100), said diagnostic module (1) comprising a test device (2) and a plurality of connecting straps (6A, 6B) each configured to connect a type of electrical cable (100) to the test device (2), the connecting straps (6A, 6B) each comprising: an output port (7) configured to cooperate with an input port (3) of the test device (2), an input connector (8-A, 8-B) of a different shape configured to cooperate with a connector (110) of a type of electrical cable (100), the input connector (8) being electrically connected to the output port (7), at least one data storage element (9) containing predetermined test data (DT, DT-B) different from a type of electrical cable (100), said data storage element (9) being electrically connected to the output port (7) by at least one transmission wire data (12),said data storage element (9) being configured to provide the test data (DT, DT-B) to the test device (2), the test device (2) comprising a single input port (3) configured to cooperate alternatively with the output port (7) of each patch cord (6A, 6B) to connect them electrically in a removable manner, the test device (2) being configured to: read the test data (DT, DT-B) stored in the data storage element (9) of the patch cord (6A, 6B), and perform a test comprising: the emission of at least one test signal (ST) in the electrical cable (100) via the patch cord (6A, 6B), the test signal (ST) being determined from the test data (DT, DT-B); and the measurement of at least one response signal (RS) of the electrical cable (100), via the connecting strap (6A, 6B), so as to determine the health status (HS) of the electrical cable (100). Diagnostic module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the input connector (8-A, 8-B) of each connecting strap (6-A, 6-B) is configured to match by complementary shapes only with the connector (110) of the electrical cable (100) whose test data (DT, DT-B) are stored in the data storage element (9). Diagnostic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein each connecting strap (6-A, 6-B) includes at least one power supply wire (13) connecting the data storage element (9) to the output port (7), enabling power to be supplied to the data storage element (9) by the test device (2). Diagnostic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each connecting strap (6-A, 6-B) comprises at least one electrical test wire (10) connecting the output port (7) to the input connector (8-A, 8-B), wherein the output port (7) comprises a protruding portion (14) comprising an inner face (15) facing the electrical test wire (10), said data storage element (9) being positioned against the inner face (15) of the protruding portion (14). Diagnostic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the test data (DT, DT-B) are in the form of at least one of the following: code data to be executed by said test device (2), the selection of a test to be executed from a list of tests of the test device (2) and / or at least one test parameter to execute a test of the test device (2). Diagnostic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data storage element (9) of each connecting strap (6-A, 6-B) also includes validation data (DV) and the test device (2) is configured to: determine at least one reference signal (Sref) from the validation data (DV) and compare the response signal (SR) to the reference signal (Sref). A diagnostic method (E) for assessing the health status of a plurality of types of electrical cables (100) by means of a diagnostic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, test data (TD) of a type of electrical cable (100) being initially stored in the data storage element (9) of each connecting strap (6-A, 6-B), the diagnostic method (E) comprising: a step of selecting (E1) a connecting strap (6-A, 6-B) whose input connector (8-A, 8-B) is configured to cooperate with the connector (110) of an electrical cable (100), a step of connecting (E2) the connecting strap (6) to the test device (2), a step of connecting (E3) the connecting strap (6) to the electrical cable (100), a step of reading (E4), by the test device (2), the test data (TD) stored in the data storage element (9) of the connecting strap (6), and the execution of a test comprising: a transmission step (E5),by the test device (2), of at least one test signal (ST) in the electrical cable (100), via the connecting strap (6), the test signal (ST) being determined from the test data (DT), and a measurement step (E6), by the test device (2), of at least one response signal (SR) of the electrical cable (100), via the connecting strap (6), so as to determine the health status (ES) of the electrical cable (100). Diagnostic method (E) according to claim 7, of at least one electrical cable (100) in an aircraft propulsion assembly (700), said electrical cable (100) initially connecting an aircraft computer (300) to a turbomachine equipment (400), said diagnostic method (E) comprising a preliminary step of disconnecting (E0) the connector (110) of the electrical cable (100) connecting it to the turbomachine equipment (400).

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