Aircraft Hydraulic Self-Testing Without Ground Support Carts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-ground maintenance of aircraft hydraulic systems relies on airfield-based ground support equipment, such as hydraulic ground carts, which can lead to delays if the equipment is not available at the aircraft location.
Innovation Solution
An integrated hydraulic system for aircraft that includes a system pumping device for priming and pumping operating fluid at variable pressure and flow rate, along with a controlling means for managing pressure and flow rate in a test mode, eliminating the need for external ground support equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic ground carts are used for on-ground maintenance, then hydraulic systems can be maintained and tested, but maintenance delays occur when ground carts are not available at the aircraft location
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft hydraulic system performs its own maintenance and testing operations using an integrated pump and control system, eliminating the need for external ground carts. The system can autonomously prime, pump, deaerate, and filter hydraulic fluid, as well as perform functional tests of hydraulic components without requiring external equipment or personnel intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated hydraulic system combines multiple maintenance functions into a single on-board system, including pumping, priming, deaeration, filtering, and testing capabilities. This multi-functional system replaces the need for separate ground support equipment and can perform various maintenance tasks depending on operational requirements.
2Ease of repair
If ground support equipment is used for hydraulic maintenance, then hydraulic components can be tested and maintained, but procurement, logistics, and equipment management become significant burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft hydraulic system performs its own maintenance and testing operations using an integrated pump and control system, eliminating the need for external ground carts. The system can autonomously prime, pump, deaerate, and filter hydraulic fluid, as well as perform functional tests of hydraulic components without requiring external equipment or personnel intervention.
3Ease of repair
If manual procedures are used for maintenance tasks with ground carts, then hydraulic systems can be maintained, but maintenance personnel must intervene during procedures increasing time and labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft hydraulic system performs its own maintenance and testing operations using an integrated pump and control system, eliminating the need for external ground carts. The system can autonomously prime, pump, deaerate, and filter hydraulic fluid, as well as perform functional tests of hydraulic components without requiring external equipment or personnel intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling means automatically manages the maintenance procedures, accelerating the maintenance process by eliminating manual intervention. The system can autonomously execute priming, pumping, deaeration, filtering, and testing operations, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to manual ground cart operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces maintenance time and costs by allowing on-aircraft maintenance without the need for external hydraulic ground carts, enhancing flexibility and safety while minimizing the risk of equipment-related failures.
Implementation Method 1
a system pumping device for priming operating fluid from a system inlet of the hydraulic system and for pumping operating fluid thereinto
Implementation Method 2
a system deaeration device for releasing gas from inside the hydraulic system
Implementation Method 3
a fluid filtering device for filtering operating fluid inside the hydraulic system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides a hydraulic system (14) for integrating in an aircraft (10) and for supplying hydraulic power to one or more hydraulic components (16) of the aircraft (10) by means of an operating fluid, the hydraulic system (14) comprising a system pumping device (26) for priming operating fluid from a system inlet (24) of the hydraulic system (14) and for pumping operating fluid thereinto.