Portable Maintenance Computer Wireless Aircraft Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft maintenance processes are hindered by the limited mobility and functionality of portable maintenance access terminals, which restrict maintenance personnel's ability to access and control aircraft systems from various locations, leading to increased maintenance time and disruptions on the flight deck.
Innovation Solution
A portable computer system capable of establishing a wireless communications link with an aircraft network data processing system, allowing maintenance personnel to access health and fault information, control aircraft systems, and manipulate circuit breakers and contactors from any location within a specified radius, thereby integrating various maintenance functionalities into a single portable tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If maintenance personnel use traditional portable maintenance access terminals, then they can access aircraft systems, but their mobility is limited and they must leave the work area to access different systems
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computer is designed to perform multiple maintenance functions through a single integrated device. It can access health and fault information, control aircraft systems, manipulate circuit breakers and contactors, and provide technical documentation all through one portable computer with wireless connectivity, eliminating the need to switch between multiple specialized terminals or leave the work area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If maintenance personnel use multiple specialized tools for different maintenance tasks, then they can perform specific functions, but the number of tools and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple previously separate maintenance tools and functions into a single portable computer system. The wireless communication interface integrates health monitoring, fault diagnosis, system control, circuit breaker manipulation, and technical documentation access into one unified device, reducing the number of tools from multiple specialized devices to a single multi-functional portable computer.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computer serves as a universal maintenance tool that can perform diverse functions including accessing aircraft network data, controlling systems, manipulating electrical components, and providing documentation. This single device replaces multiple specialized tools, making the maintenance system more adaptable while reducing overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If maintenance personnel must leave the work area to access flight deck systems, then they can control aircraft systems, but disruptions on the flight deck increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computer acts as an intermediary device that enables maintenance personnel to control aircraft systems remotely without directly accessing the flight deck. Through wireless communication with the aircraft network, the portable computer mediates between the maintenance technician and the aircraft systems, allowing control and monitoring from the work area while preventing disruptions to flight deck operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a portable computer, and program code stored on the portable computer. The program code is capable of being executed to establish a communications link with an aircraft network data processing system in an aircraft, obtain information about the aircraft over the communications link, display the information on a display device for the portable computer, receive user input to control a data processing system on the aircraft network data processing system in the aircraft, and send a number of commands to the data processing system in response to receiving the user input.