IDG Wear Equalization via Pilot Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-engine aircraft experience uneven wear and maintenance needs due to uneven use of Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) during single-engine or few-engine taxiing operations, leading to frequent shop visits and unscheduled removals.
Innovation Solution
An IDG equalization system that monitors and compares the operating times of multiple IDGs, providing a signal to the pilot to select the appropriate IDG for ground operations, thereby equalizing their use and reducing wear disparities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If single-engine taxiing is used for fuel savings and noise reduction, then fuel consumption and noise emissions are reduced, but uneven wear of IDGs occurs leading to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the accumulated operating time of each IDG and provides feedback to the pilot through display indicators. This feedback mechanism enables the pilot to adjust engine usage patterns to equalize IDG wear, thus resolving the contradiction between fuel savings and uniform IDG wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks and compares IDG operating times without requiring manual intervention. The pilot simply follows the system's guidance to select which engine to operate, allowing the system to self-manage the equalization process while maintaining fuel efficiency.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If single-engine taxiing is used to reduce noise emissions, then noise levels are reduced, but uneven IDG wear increases maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system provides real-time feedback on IDG wear status, enabling the pilot to make informed decisions about engine selection during taxi operations. This feedback loop allows noise reduction through single-engine operation while preventing excessive maintenance frequency through equalized wear management.
3Ease of operation
If starboard engine is started first due to gate connection positioning, then operational convenience is improved, but port IDG experiences uneven wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and displays the recommended engine selection based on accumulated wear data before the pilot makes a decision. This preliminary guidance allows the pilot to maintain operational convenience while proactively preventing uneven wear patterns.
4Loss of energy
If one engine is shut down after landing for fuel savings, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the remaining IDG experiences increased wear and unscheduled removals
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors IDG operating hours and provides feedback guidance to the pilot for selecting which engine to operate during taxi-in and which to keep running after landing. This enables fuel savings through single-engine operation while distributing wear evenly to extend IDG service life.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to equalizing wearing of a plurality of electrical power generators of an aircraft. Such equalization is achieved by logging operating conditions of at least a powered subset of the electrical power generators and then comparing of the logged operating conditions of each of the plurality of electrical power generators. Based on the comparison of the logged operating conditions, one of the plurality of electrical power generators for use the aircraft is recommended. A signal indicative of the recommended one of the electrical power generators determined is then generated.