Aircraft Functional Test Interface for Guided Pre-Flight Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-flight functional testing of aircraft systems is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the scattered nature of controls and display devices on the flight deck, increasing pilot workload and the risk of omitting critical tests.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a display device, data processors, and non-transitory machine-readable memory to generate outputs for displaying and selecting functional tests based on aircraft conditions, such as first flight of the day, change in flight crew, or cold and dark start, allowing for automated initiation and parallel execution of tests, reducing the need for manual interaction with multiple controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional testing of aircraft systems is performed using traditional methods with actual aircraft components and systems, then test accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the aircraft system through a detailed digital model that replicates the electrical and logical behavior of the actual aircraft system. This virtual model allows functional testing to be performed on standard computing hardware rather than requiring the actual aircraft system, thereby maintaining test reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual instrument panel and simulation software as intermediary components between the tester and the aircraft system. These intermediaries translate real-world testing requirements into virtual signals that can be processed by standard computers, enabling accurate functional testing without direct connection to the actual aircraft system.
2Measurement precision
If traditional functional testing methods are used requiring aircraft to be disassembled and connected to external testing equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and testing time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual instrument panel creates virtual copies of actual aircraft instruments and displays, allowing testers to observe and measure system signals through the simulation interface. This maintains measurement precision by accurately replicating signal behaviors while eliminating the need for physical disassembly and connection of external testing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system is designed to be self-contained, with the virtual model automatically generating and processing test signals without requiring external testing equipment. The system performs self-diagnosis and signal generation, making the testing process easier to operate while maintaining precision through the accurate virtual representation of aircraft system behaviors.
3Measurement precision
If extensive training is provided to mechanics for operating complex testing equipment and understanding system operations, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of time and training costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual instrument panel provides a simplified visual copy of aircraft system operations that is easier to understand than actual system complexity. Testers can observe virtual representations of system behaviors and signals without needing to understand the underlying complex aircraft systems, reducing training requirements while maintaining measurement precision through accurate signal replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is segmented into modular virtual components that can be independently studied and understood. Each virtual instrument and system module can be trained on separately, allowing mechanics to build knowledge progressively rather than needing to understand the entire complex aircraft system at once, thereby reducing overall training time while maintaining precision.
4Measurement precision
If aircraft systems are tested in their actual operational configuration, then test accuracy is improved, but productivity and testing efficiency decrease due to setup time and system unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model creates an accurate copy of the aircraft system that can be tested independently of the actual aircraft. This allows multiple test scenarios to be run simultaneously on the virtual system while the actual aircraft remains available for operational use, thereby maintaining test accuracy through faithful replication while significantly improving productivity by eliminating aircraft unavailability during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual model allows preliminary testing and validation to be performed before actual aircraft testing or deployment. Test procedures can be developed, validated, and optimized in the virtual environment first, reducing the time required for actual aircraft testing and improving overall testing efficiency while maintaining accuracy through the accurate virtual representation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods for assisting a flight crew with (e.g., pre-flight) functional testing of aircraft systems are disclosed. An aircraft condition can be used to select one or more functional tests that are applicable based on the aircraft condition. The aircraft condition can be used to initiate the execution of the one or more applicable selected functional tests. The aircraft condition can also be used to identify the one or more functional tests that are applicable on a display device so as to guide the flight crew during the execution of the functional tests.