New Prognostics Algorithm 'Moves Beyond Diagnostics' To
Save Time, Money
Gulfstream has announced its new G650 will feature something it
calls PlaneConnectHTM Health and Trend Monitoring. It's software
which can predict, sometimes well in advance, an aircraft system or
part headed for failure. At NBAA this week, GE filled in some
background, revealing that its own Integrated Vehicle Health
Monitoring, or IVHM for short, will power Gulfstream's system.
GE Aviation Systems President & CEO Lorraine Bolsinger
(company photo) noted that GE has a proven track record with such
technology in a variety of applications, including aircraft
engines, military and commercial helicopters and railway
locomotives. Regarding the maturity of the company's technology she
added, "We're really quite good."
The techniques used in IVHM are migrating down-market into
business jets. Bolsinger continued, "We are thrilled to be
launching this new product and service with Gulfstream. Gulfstream
is a leader in the business jet market by introducing new
technology, innovation and best-in-class product support. The IVHM
technology will clearly be a differentiator for the G650 in the
marketplace."
GE was a pioneer in such technology two decades ago, introducing
its Health and Usage Monitoring System, HUMS, into the helicopter
market in 1991. The company says it has processed data from more
than two million flight hours in the years since. The new system
requires no additional sensors on the airframe, but can be adapted
to any existing aircraft design that uses a data buss to tie
existing sensors into its instrumentation. Almost any aircraft with
a glass cockpit could be a candidate.
IVHM could produce meaningful savings on maintenance costs by
allowing on-condition replacement of parts rather than at arbitrary
TBO points, and can allow operators to make even unexpected parts
replacements a matter to be scheduled at their convenience, rather
than interrupting a flight in progress, for even more savings due
to reduced downtime.
IVHM can use any of a number of available data channels to
downlink to a ground support network, and includes artificial
intelligence which determines the urgency with which a developing
fault should be reported. If the first indication of an evolving
condition occurs during a flight through a geographic location
where a data service has marginal bandwidth or excessive cost,
faults which won't be safety-of-flight issues for days or weeks
will be held until the aircraft is back within range of wi-fi or
other appropriate channels.
The Gulfstream G650 (pictured) is expected to enter service
in 2012. GE's two contracts with Gulfstream cover both support of
PlaneConnectHTM, and the more advanced prognostic software for the
forecasting of maintenance events.