Remote Aircraft Maintenance Interface via Virtual Cockpit Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft maintenance often requires multiple personnel, with outdated documentation and limited expert access, leading to inefficiencies and incorrect part replacements due to the complexity of coordinating maintenance operations across different locations and companies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow a maintenance operator to access the aircraft's high-security man-machine interface from outside the secure zone, using secure communication links and servers to ensure up-to-date documentation and expert assistance, reducing the need for physical presence and improving maintenance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple personnel are present in the aircraft cockpit and near the maintenance part, then maintenance operations can be performed, but the number of people required increases and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the cockpit's human-machine interface by capturing images or video streams from cockpit screens and transmitting them to a remote device. This allows the maintenance operator to view cockpit information remotely without physically being in the cockpit, thereby reducing the number of personnel required while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication system as an intermediary between the cockpit and the maintenance operator. This intermediary transmits visual information and enables two-way communication, allowing the maintenance operator to interact with the cockpit system remotely and reducing coordination complexity among multiple personnel
2Ease of operation
If documentation is stored in paper form or local computer systems, then access is simple, but the documentation may not be up to date and cannot be easily updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the aircraft documentation that is stored remotely and can be accessed through the communication system. This digital copy can be updated centrally and automatically transmitted to maintenance operators, ensuring they always have access to the most current information while maintaining ease of access through electronic delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary updating of documentation before maintenance operations begin. Documentation can be prepared, verified, and uploaded to the remote system in advance, ensuring that maintenance operators receive accurate and up-to-date information before they need to use it, thereby improving documentation reliability
3Reliability
If experts are physically present to resolve maintenance failures, then expert intervention is available, but it is difficult to get experts involved depending on location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual presence system where experts can remotely view the cockpit's human-machine interface and maintenance situation through transmitted visual information. This allows experts to provide guidance and intervention without physically traveling to the aircraft location, making expert availability independent of geographic location while reducing the complexity of coordinating expert travel and physical presence
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for managing and maintaining an aircraft (10) comprising an area with a high degree of security, a human machine interface of the aircraft being included in the area with a high degree of security and necessary for a maintenance operation to be carried out by a maintenance operator on a device (TA) of an aircraft to be maintained located outside the area with a high degree of security. The method comprises the steps of: connecting a first device (40) to the high security area, connecting a second device (20) to a third device (PU), receiving by the second device (20) of the human machine interface of the aircraft from the first device and transfer of information for display of the human machine interface of the aircraft on the third device (PU), connecting the second device (20) to a server (30) by means of the telecommunication network (RE) in order to receive information from the server (30) intended for the third device (PU).