Distributed Sensor Data Network for Aircraft Engine Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gas turbine engines face challenges with centralized control and monitoring systems, which require numerous cables and create complexity, weight, and potential failure points due to the need for individual connections of sensors to control units and power sources, while also segregating control and monitoring functions for safety reasons.
Innovation Solution
A distributed system with data acquisition units strategically placed near sensors to convert analog signals to digital data and transmit them over a digital network, such as a CAN bus, reducing cable length and weight, and enabling scalable and modular communication for efficient monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized control system is used with individual cable connections for each sensor, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the system weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into distributed sensor nodes that independently convert analog signals to digital data locally. Each sensor node is a separate functional unit, eliminating the need for extensive analog signal cables while maintaining data integrity through digital communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based analog signal transmission system with a digital communication system. Sensors perform analog-to-digital conversion and transmit data digitally, substituting heavy analog cabling with lighter digital communication infrastructure while improving signal reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual cable connections are provided for each sensor to the control unit, then complete control and monitoring capability is achieved, but the device complexity and number of failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sensing, analog-to-digital conversion, and data transmission) into integrated sensor nodes. This merging eliminates the need for separate analog signal paths and power connections for each sensor, reducing interconnection complexity while maintaining full monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor nodes are designed as universal multi-functional units that can sense physical parameters, perform analog-to-digital conversion, and communicate data digitally. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized connections and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Productivity
If centralized control units process all sensor data, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the system requires extensive cabling and power distribution infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor nodes perform preliminary data processing by converting analog signals to digital format at the source before transmission. This preliminary action reduces the burden on centralized processing units and eliminates the need for complex analog signal distribution infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed system for monitoring an aircraft or a gas turbine engine for an aircraft with many sense devices positioned at different locations. Data acquisition units receive an electric signal from one sense device, or a plurality of electric signals from various sense devices, convert it or them to digital sensor data. The data acquisition units have access to a digital network, which is an integral part of the distributed system of the invention and enables the transmission and distribution of the digital sensor data in this manner. The invention can use several digital networks.