Method and apparatus for determining an effective jet engine maintenance schedule

US6473677B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• John Erik Hershey · Ballston Lake, US
• John Frederick Ackerman · Laona, US
• Vijay Kumar Millikarjun Hanagandi · Evansville, US
• Amy Victoria Aragones · Clifton Park, US
• Brock Estel Osborn · Niskayuna, US
• Nicolas Wadih Chbat · White Plains, US
• Richard August Korkosz · Rotterdam Junction, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 29, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2260/80
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for determining a maintenance schedule for a jet engine using at least remotely-gathered environmental data is provided. The system includes a remote monitor having a sensor for collecting the remotely-gathered environmental data. A data pathway is connected to the remote monitor. A processor is connected to the data pathway and processes the remotely-gathered environmental data collected by the remote monitor. An environmental database is connected to the data pathway and compiles and stores the remotely-gathered environmental data. A flight database is connected to the data pathway and compiles and stores flight data for the jet engine. The flight data includes at least thermal cycle data and time on wing data. The processor is adapted to generate the maintenance schedule for the jet engine based on the remotely-gathered environmental data and the flight data.