An Acoustic-Based Wiring Diagnostic System for Aircraft

Document Number: 2009-01-3192

Date Published: November 2009

Author(s):
Gail Hickman - Innovative Dynamics Inc.
Joseph J. Gerardi - Innovative Dynamics Inc.
Sean Field - Naval Air Systems Command
Nathan Kumbar - Naval Air Systems Command

Abstract:
An onboard Acoustic Wiring Diagnostic System to monitor the health of aircraft wiring is under development by Innovative Dynamics Inc. The AWDS incorporates passive acoustic sensors to monitor wire chafing. The system operates continuously in-flight so that intermittent wiring fault conditions can be detected as they happen. Trend analysis data can be logged to enable pro-active maintenance prior to catastrophic failure. A key advantage of the in-situ system is to perform the inspection without removing or disconnecting the wiring. Acoustic signatures of representative aircraft wiring have been characterized under simulated damage conditions. Flight-ready hardware and software have been developed and flight testing is underway on an H-53 helicopter. This paper will present the wire diagnostic approach, the AWDS flight instrumentation, and some representative lab test results.

File Size: 1009K
Product Status: In Stock

See other papers presented at SAE 2009 AeroTech Congress & Exhibition, November 2009, Seattle, WA, USA, Session: Power Systems - Prognostics & Health Management (Part 2 of 2)

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