Automated Engine Test Cell Analytics System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual methods for analyzing gas turbine engine performance in test cells are time-consuming and inefficient, struggling with the sheer volume of data and limited ability to sort and access historical operational data, necessitating an automated solution for generating analytics and diagnostic reports.
Innovation Solution
An automated engine test cell analysis system that electronically accesses operational data, inputs it into a performance model specific to the engine type, and generates a summary report, enabling rapid diagnosis of performance issues and providing early warnings for potential problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual data analysis methods are used, then analysts can identify performance issues, but the analysis process takes days to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis processes with an automated computer-based system that electronically accesses test data, compares it against performance models and historical data, and generates diagnostic reports automatically. This substitution reduces analysis time from days to hours while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through systematic computational evaluation of engine performance parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service diagnostic capabilities by automatically comparing test data with performance models and historical patterns without requiring manual intervention. The computer system independently identifies performance issues, generates analytics, and produces diagnostic reports, freeing analysts from routine data mining tasks while preserving expert-level diagnostic capabilities.
2Quantity of substance
If the volume of monitored data increases, then more comprehensive engine performance information is captured, but the difficulty of sorting and accessing historical data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer-based intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the large volume of monitored test data and the analyst. This system electronically stores, organizes, and manages the data, providing automated comparison capabilities against performance models and historical data. The intermediary handles data sorting and access operations that would be manually difficult, making comprehensive data sets easily searchable and analyzable through automated queries and report generation.
3Productivity
If automated analysis systems are implemented, then analysis time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal computer-based system that performs multiple diagnostic functions through a single integrated platform. The system can access test data from various sources, compare against multiple performance models, analyze historical patterns, and generate different types of diagnostic reports all through one system. This multi-functionality increases productivity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate tools and processes, while the standardized universal interface manages the inherent complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an automated system and method of analyzing performance of engines in a test cell 120. The method includes electronically accessing engine operational data in a stored database 166 of the test cell. Another step includes electronically retrieving operational data corresponding to the new test if at least one new test is detected in the stored database for an engine. Further, the method includes inputting the operational data corresponding to the new test into a performance model specific to an engine type for the engine. The method also includes electronically analyzing an output of the performance model. An additional step includes electronically generating at least one summary report 124 of engine health of the engine based on the analyzed output. Thus, the method also includes providing the summary report as electronic output to a user.