Wireless Communication Adapter for Gas Turbine Engine Configuration Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines deployed in the field face challenges in accessing and updating configuration control items due to rapid advancements in computer and communication technologies, making it difficult to interface with offboard systems over their extended service life.
Innovation Solution
A communication adapter with wireless communication capabilities, a memory system for tracking version history, and processing circuitry to detect changes in identifiers and reload configurations, enabling secure updates and data recording with offboard systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical access and customized cables are used to update engine control systems, then data access and configuration updates can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and requires physical intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of cable connections and physical access with a wireless communication system. The communication adapter uses wireless protocols to transmit data between the engine control system and offboard systems, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and manual intervention for data access and updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication adapter serves as an intermediary device between the engine control system and offboard systems. It manages the communication interface, handles data transmission, and facilitates configuration updates without requiring direct physical access to the engine control unit, thereby simplifying the overall system interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engine control system uses fixed configuration items, then system stability is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to rapid advancements in computer and communication technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the engine control system can remotely update its configuration items, software, and data through wireless communication. This allows the system to adapt to new technologies and requirements during its service life while maintaining operational stability through controlled update mechanisms and version management.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication adapter performs preliminary actions by preparing and validating configuration updates before applying them to the engine control system. It manages version control, verifies data integrity, and ensures proper sequencing of updates, thereby maintaining system reliability while enabling technological adaptability.
3Reliability
If the communication adapter continuously monitors for parameter loss, then data integrity is maintained, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication adapter implements a feedback mechanism where it periodically monitors the presence and integrity of remote dynamic data recording parameters from the engine control system. When parameter loss or changes are detected, the system automatically initiates recovery procedures by requesting updated parameters, thereby maintaining data integrity through responsive monitoring rather than continuous heavy processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication adapter (102) of a gas turbine engine (104) of an aircraft (108) includes a communication interface (216) configured to wirelessly communicate with an offboard system (106) and to communicate with an engine control (122) of the gas turbine engine (104). The communication adapter (216) also includes a memory system (212) and processing circuitry (210) configured to check for a change of an identifier (211) associated with the engine control (122), check for a loss of a plurality of remote dynamic data recording parameters (300) from the engine control (122), and pass a request to update the remote dynamic data recording parameters from the offboard system (106) through the communication adapter (216) to the engine control (122) based on detecting the change of the identifier (211). The processing circuitry (210) is further configured to reload an existing configuration of the remote dynamic data recording parameters (300) at the engine control (122) based on determining that the loss of the remote dynamic data recording parameters (300) has occurred.