A probabilistic, diagnostic and prognostic system for engine health and usage management

The combination of high engine life-cycle costs, concerns for greater safety and changing operational demands create the need for improved engine diagnostics and prognostics. Engine maintenance represents perhaps the largest part of overall aircraft maintenance costs and, due to safety considerations tends to be performed conservatively. Better information on the actual engine condition, usage and life monitoring can significantly reduce maintenance costs. The United States Air Force (USAF) has invested in the concept of engine health monitoring with current systems such as Comprehensive Engine Maintenance System (GEMS) IV and Research and Development (R&D) programs in the early 1990s to investigate additional health and performance monitoring technologies. There is a need to develop these capabilities further and combine data from an array of sensors to enable engine health management using more advanced diagnostic and prognostic techniques, and the latest sensor technologies. The integration and correlation of data from multiple sensors is key to practical and affordable engine diagnostics and prognostics. A Probabilistic, Diagnostic and Prognostic System (ProDaPS) for engine health management is the next major step forward towards this target. The long-term objectives of the ProDaPS program are to develop a flyable, real-time working system that can be used to enhance the management of current as well as future engine fleets. The proof of concept has been demonstrated and the current program is considered to be the first stage of the technology development and transition to the commercial market.