Upgrading engine test cells for improved troubleshooting and diagnostics

Upgrading military engine test cells with advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities will play a critical role in increasing aircraft availability and test cell effectiveness while simultaneously reducing engine operating and maintenance costs. Sophisticated performance and mechanical anomaly detection and fault classification algorithms utilizing thermodynamic, statistical, and empirical engine models are now being implemented as part of a United States Air Force Advanced Test Cell Upgrade Initiative. Under this program, a comprehensive set of realtime and post-test diagnostic software modules, including sensor validation algorithms, performance fault classification techniques and vibration feature analysis are being developed. An automated troubleshooting guide is also being implemented to streamline the troubleshooting process for both inexperienced and experienced technicians. This artificial intelligence based tool enhances the conventional troubleshooting tree architecture by incorporating probability of occurrence statistics to optimize the troubleshooting path. This paper describes the development and implementation of the F404 engine test cell upgrade at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.