Mobile Acoustic Turbine Engine Anomaly Detection Off Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fault diagnostic methods for aircraft turbomachines via acoustic analysis are limited by the need for long-term data acquisition, difficulty in processing data on board, and challenges in transferring data from the aircraft to the ground, which complicates real-time anomaly detection and requires machine removal for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for detecting anomalies by acoustic analysis that includes a mobile module for directional acoustic signal acquisition, processing, and transmission, with a server for receiving and storing damage reports, allowing for off-board analysis without requiring the turbomachine to be removed or data to be processed on the aircraft, and adaptive sensor orientation for mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data acquisition is performed over a relatively long period of time to enable acoustic analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing acoustic signals during the acquisition phase using embedded processing capabilities. The system performs real-time signal conditioning, filtering, and feature extraction while data is being collected, rather than performing all processing after acquisition. This preliminary processing reduces the amount of raw data that needs to be stored and transmitted, effectively reducing the time loss associated with post-acquisition processing while maintaining measurement precision.
2Productivity
If data processing is performed on board the aircraft with significant computing power, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data processing function into two distinct segments: (1) real-time signal acquisition and preliminary processing performed on-board the aircraft by embedded systems, and (2) comprehensive acoustic analysis and diagnostic processing performed off-board using ground-based computing resources. This segmentation allows the on-board system to remain relatively simple while still enabling productive real-time data collection, with the majority of complex processing distributed to ground infrastructure.
3Loss of information
If data transmission from aircraft to ground is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity and data transfer difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the complex data transmission and storage requirements from the aircraft system. Instead of requiring continuous transmission of large volumes of raw acoustic data, the system extracts only the essential processed information and diagnostic results for transmission to ground systems. This extraction approach minimizes information loss while dramatically reducing the complexity of the transmission system, as only processed rather than raw data needs to be communicated.
4Device complexity
If acoustic analysis is performed off-board with ground-based systems, then device complexity on aircraft is reduced, but loss of time increases due to data transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing signal processing and feature extraction on-board the aircraft before data is transmitted to ground systems. This preliminary processing reduces the volume of data that needs to be transmitted and enables preliminary diagnostics to be performed in real-time during flight operations, thereby minimizing the time loss associated with off-board analysis while maintaining reduced on-board complexity.
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
Enables real-time anomaly detection without removing the turbomachine or processing data on board, using significant computing power available on the ground, facilitating efficient data analysis and reporting, and allowing for central storage and viewing of reports.
Implementation Method 1
means for directional acquisition of acoustic signals from the turbomachine
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (DISP) for detecting anomalies in an aircraft (AERO) turbine engine (TURBO) by acoustic analysis, characterized in that it is not an onboard device and that it comprises: at least one mobile module (MOD) comprising: directional means (MDAC) for acquiring acoustic signals from the turbine engine (TURBO); means (MDTT) for processing said signals, which is suitable for generating a damage report (RAP_END); a means (MDTM) for transmitting said damage report (RAP_END); a server (SERV) capable of exchanging data with the at least one module (MOD), said server (SERV) comprising: a means (MDR) for receiving the damage report (RAP_END); and storage means (MDS) suitable for storing said damage report (RAP_END).