Wireless Countermeasure Dispenser Testing Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional countermeasure dispenser systems require extensive manual effort and time for functional checks, necessitating multiple technicians to change test modes and collect data from multiple dispenser buckets, leading to inefficient maintenance and operational checks, especially in wartime scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of wireless monitoring and control systems allows a single technician to simultaneously monitor and control multiple countermeasure dispenser testing units from the flight deck, reducing the need for physical interaction with each unit and eliminating the requirement for data cables, thereby streamlining the testing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional manual testing methods are used with multiple technicians physically accessing each dispenser bucket, then comprehensive functional checks can be performed, but the time and effort required increases significantly to six man-hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional check completenessVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic systems. Wireless countermeasure dispenser testing units automatically perform functional checks, retrieve test data, and transmit results wirelessly, eliminating the need for technicians to physically access each dispenser bucket and manually collect data, thereby reducing testing time from six man-hours to a significantly shorter duration while maintaining comprehensive check coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The testing units are designed to autonomously perform functional checks and self-diagnose dispenser bucket operations. Each wireless testing unit independently executes test sequences, collects performance data, and transmits results without requiring continuous human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself and reducing the time investment required per test

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple technicians are deployed to physically access and collect data from multiple dispenser buckets, then complete system coverage is achieved, but the complexity of coordination and physical access requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coverageVSAvoidtesting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless countermeasure dispenser testing units are designed as multi-functional devices that can interface with multiple dispenser buckets through a standardized wireless communication protocol. A single testing unit can sequentially or simultaneously monitor multiple dispenser buckets, eliminating the need for multiple specialized technicians and reducing coordination complexity while maintaining complete system coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the testing units and dispenser buckets. This wireless intermediary layer eliminates the need for physical access and manual data collection, allowing testing personnel to remotely monitor and control the testing process from a centralized location, thereby reducing the complexity of physical coordination and access requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If data cables are required to connect testing equipment to each dispenser bucket, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the ease of operation and speed of deployment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtesting setup simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical data cables with wireless communication technology. The wireless countermeasure dispenser testing units transmit test data and control signals wirelessly to the central monitoring system, eliminating the need to physically connect cables to each dispenser bucket. This substitution maintains data transmission reliability through error-correcting protocols while dramatically improving ease of operation and deployment speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9811079B2Systems and methods for wireless monitoring and control of countermeasure dispenser testing systems

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 L3HARRIS TECH INTEGRATED SYST LP

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for testing aircraft countermeasure dispenser systems (CMDS) by wirelessly monitoring and controlling wireless countermeasure dispenser testing system units (WCDTs). The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in one example to allow functions of multiple WCDT units to be simultaneously monitored and controlled in real time via a wireless connection or wireless network connection such as wireless local area network (WLAN) or other short or long range wireless network.