Aircraft Tire Pressure Normalization from Hot-Tire Stable Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft tire pressure measurement methods, both manual and automated, face challenges in accurately determining tire inflation status when tires are 'hot' due to ambient temperature variations, leading to potential under-inflation detection issues and operational constraints, especially with short turnaround times.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using historical data from tire pressure and temperature measurements, identifying stable points where both pressure and temperature change by less than 2% over a predetermined time, allowing normalization to a reference temperature for reliable tire maintenance decisions, and a system comprising tire monitoring devices with pressure and temperature sensors to store and analyze these data points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tire pressure is measured when the tire is hot (above ambient temperature), then measurement can be performed quickly without waiting three hours, but the measured pressure is higher than actual ambient temperature pressure leading to false negative detection of under-inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by collecting multiple pressure and temperature measurements over time, then using mathematical models to transform the measured parameters into an estimated ambient temperature pressure value. This allows the system to compensate for temperature effects and provide accurate pressure readings even when the tire is hot, resolving the contradiction between measurement speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the aircraft waits three hours standing before tire pressure measurement, then accurate ambient temperature pressure reading is obtained, but operational constraints are significantly increased especially with short turnaround times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting pressure and temperature data during aircraft operation and storage. This historical data is then used to estimate what the ambient temperature pressure would be, eliminating the need for the three-hour waiting period while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Loss of time
If relative inflation levels are used in hot tire measurement procedure, then tire pressure can be measured less than three hours after aircraft standing, but reliable measurement of pressure at ambient temperature cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mathematical model that acts as a mediator between the measured hot tire pressure/temperature values and the desired ambient temperature pressure reading. The model uses collected historical data to calculate the relationship between temperature and pressure, then applies this relationship to estimate the ambient temperature pressure, providing both speed and accuracy.
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 approach enables more accurate and reliable tire maintenance by normalizing pressure data to a reference temperature, improving the detection of deflation rates and predicting future tire pressure needs, thus enhancing safety and reducing operational constraints.
Implementation Method 1
Automated pressure sensing devices affixed to an aircraft wheel may include a temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
interrogating pressure sensors attached to each wheel to measure the associated tire pressure
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method of aircraft tire maintenance comprises: receiving (502) data of a plurality of pressure and temperature measurements, each of the plurality of pressure and temperature measurements having an associated time stamp; determining (504) stable points in the plurality of pressure and temperature measurements; and using the stable points for determining (510) tire maintenance. A computer readable medium with instructions to implement the method and a processing system to implement the method are also disclosed.