Aircraft Configuration Management via Automated Web Data Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance practices for aircraft fleets rely on manual record-keeping of hardware and software configurations, which is inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based apparatus that connects to aircraft elements to collect data and formats it into web pages for management, allowing for centralized configuration management and updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual record-keeping is used by mechanics, then configuration data can be recorded, but the process is inefficient and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical record-keeping system with an automated computer-based system. The configuration management apparatus automatically collects, stores, and displays configuration data from aircraft elements, eliminating the need for mechanics to manually record data on paper, thereby improving both efficiency and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration management where the aircraft elements themselves provide their configuration data to the computer system through automated connections. The web-based interface allows maintenance personnel to access and manage configuration data without manual data entry, making the system self-sufficient and reducing human error
2Reliability
If centralized configuration management is implemented, then data accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary between the configuration management database and users. The server formats configuration data into web pages that can be displayed in standard web browsers, providing a user-friendly interface that masks the underlying system complexity while ensuring data accuracy through centralized management
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration management apparatus serves multiple functions: it collects configuration data from aircraft elements, stores it centrally, formats it into web pages, and displays it through standard web browsers. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single unified platform, managing complexity while improving reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for managing configuration of an element. The apparatus includes a computer that connects with the element to receive data from the element, and a server in the computer that includes the data in one or more web pages.