United Technologies (Stand E11, Hall 4) is displaying a prototype of the world's first onboard internet microserver which transmits engine information from fuselage to engineer rapidly via the internet.
In the past when engineers wanted to review engine data, it had to be compressed before being transferred to the user who then had to uncompress it before reading the information.
Assess
"This process was slow and didn't allow engineers as much time to assess information and anticipate problems as they would like," said David Loda, manager, Applied Technology Group, who developed the microserver along with his colleague Bjorn Stickling.
"We needed something that would allow for the rapid transfer of important engine information and we thought the internet was the way to do it."
There are certain points within an engine's life cycle where it would be beneficial to take readings of its performance.
By collating this information engineers can begin to anticipate possible problems that would need to be addressed during maintenance in a particular engine model.
Similarly speedy access to information means engineers can bring increased knowledge to the design process and work on eradicating faults earlier than ever before.
The microserver will sit in the fuselage of an aircraft and provide two way access between engineer and engine.
Information is transferred in an easy to read web page format that engineers access through their e-business portal when the aircraft is not in use.
Should the aircraft land in an area where the internet is inaccessible, the information is transferred via a mobile wireless web server instead. Engineers can effectively interact with an engine any time and anywhere and update service bulletins and analyse information.
The service is efficient, lightweight and low-cost and can be used onboard any aircraft.
Anomalies
Loda says it is the equivalent of having an engineer aboard every aircraft pinpointing anomalies as soon as they happen.
"Though the product has yet to be certified, it is currently undergoing pilot studies and the feedback so far has been encouraging," said Loda. "We hope it will be certified by the end of this year. There's nothing else like this product on the market at the moment and it will make a real impact on how engineers do their job."
The product will be introduced during a press conference on Tuesday.
Source: Flight Daily News
