Discrete Event Simulation for Aircraft Fleet Maintenance Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining aircraft fleets are time-consuming and fail to effectively minimize downtime, lacking assessment and analysis of maintenance performance and considering multiple variables such as aircraft age, inventory, and facility location.
Innovation Solution
A discrete event simulation system that generates a computer model describing aircraft fleet maintenance processes, including interconnected data objects and modules to determine optimal maintenance locations and schedules, reducing downtime by dynamically updating variables and providing quantitative performance assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If existing scheduling methods are used to perform maintenance on aircraft fleets, then maintenance can be performed according to basic schedules, but the method is time-consuming and fails to effectively minimize aircraft downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a discrete event simulation system that dynamically updates maintenance schedules based on real-time changes in aircraft status, part availability, and facility conditions. The system continuously re-evaluates and adjusts maintenance timing and location assignments, transforming static scheduling into a dynamic optimization process that adapts to changing conditions, thereby minimizing aircraft downtime while improving scheduling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously including maintenance timing, location selection, part inventory levels, and facility capacity allocation. By changing and adjusting these parameters based on simulation results and real-time data, the system achieves effective minimization of aircraft downtime while maintaining high scheduling efficiency
2Reliability
If multiple variables are considered in maintenance scheduling (aircraft age, inventory, facility location), then more comprehensive maintenance planning is achieved, but the complexity of the scheduling task increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discrete event simulation system as an intermediary layer between the complex maintenance requirements and the scheduling decision-making process. This simulation intermediary models the entire maintenance ecosystem including aircraft, parts, facilities, and workflows, allowing comprehensive consideration of multiple variables while managing system complexity through structured simulation modeling and automated analysis
3Ease of operation
If facilities are selected based on availability, then maintenance can be performed at convenient locations, but aircraft may need to be transported to faraway locations increasing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the selection criteria for maintenance facilities by evaluating multiple parameters including facility capability, aircraft location, transportation time, and part availability. The discrete event simulation optimizes the balance between facility ease of access and transportation time by selecting facilities that minimize total aircraft downtime, not just those with immediate availability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of supporting and performing maintenance on a fleet of aircraft is provided. The method includes generating a computer model that describes a process performed by a system for in-service operation and maintenance of the fleet of aircraft. The method also includes performing a discrete event simulation of the process, via a computer processor configured to access the computer model and generating a maintenance schedule or certifying the predefined maintenance schedule for the fleet of aircraft from the discrete event simulation of the process. The method further includes performing maintenance on the fleet of aircraft by the system according to the maintenance schedule or the predefined maintenance schedule.