Automated Aircraft Fault Analysis and Diagnostic Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft maintenance processes rely heavily on manual intervention for fault analysis and diagnostic testing, which is time-consuming, costly, and prone to human error, affecting flight safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated fault analysis and diagnostic testing system that uses an onboard maintenance test client system to wirelessly communicate with a ground-based system, generating and executing maintenance test checklists without human intervention, thereby reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual fault analysis and diagnostic testing are performed by maintenance personnel, then flight safety can be ensured through human judgment and decision-making, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the maintenance test system automatically performs fault analysis, generates test checklists, executes diagnostic tests, and produces test results reports without requiring continuous human intervention. The automated system serves itself to complete maintenance tasks, reducing dependency on manual labor while maintaining safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human-operated maintenance process with an automated electronic system. Manual fault analysis by maintenance personnel is substituted with automated fault analysis software that processes flight data, generates checklists, and executes tests electronically, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual fault analysis and diagnostic testing are performed, then flexibility in handling complex faults can be maintained, but human error is introduced into the process
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where test results are automatically analyzed and used to adjust subsequent testing procedures. The automated system learns from test outcomes and flight data patterns, improving its ability to handle complex faults adaptively while eliminating human error in interpretation and decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the maintenance decision-making process through automated algorithms that replicate expert judgment. The system copies proven maintenance procedures and fault analysis methodologies into software, ensuring consistent and error-free execution while maintaining the flexibility to handle various fault scenarios.
3Productivity
If automated fault analysis and diagnostic testing are implemented, then time efficiency and cost reduction are achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated maintenance test system is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: fault analysis, checklist generation, test execution, result analysis, and report generation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, managing complexity while maximizing productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate maintenance tasks (fault analysis, test planning, test execution, and reporting) into a single integrated automated system. By combining these functions, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having multiple independent tools, while significantly improving maintenance efficiency and productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual test checklist generation is performed, then adaptability to specific fault conditions can be maintained, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated analysis of flight data and fault conditions to pre-generate appropriate test checklists before actual maintenance execution. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt to specific fault conditions automatically while preparing test sequences in advance, thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly improving test execution speed and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automated fault analysis and execution of post-flight or pre-flight tests for an aircraft is provided. The system includes a maintenance test client system onboard the aircraft, and a ground-based maintenance test server system that is remote from the aircraft. The maintenance test client system is configured to collect fault data for the aircraft, and to wirelessly transmit the fault data to the ground-based maintenance test server system after the aircraft has landed. The ground-based maintenance test server system is configured to receive the fault data, to generate a test checklist that is influenced by the fault data, and to transmit the test checklist to the maintenance test client system. The maintenance test client system wirelessly receives the test checklist, and initiates execution of at least one test specified in the test checklist.