The Boeing Company

Garry G Herzberg

James T Farricker

Timothy Edward Jackson

Travis Stephen Reid

Todd William Gould

Keith D Conzachi

George Wilber

Erin Elizabeth Warr

Paul S Stout

Robert C Reynolds

Joshua A Taylor

Mark D McCleary

Allen R Link

Charles Daniel Cowles

Tracy Andrew Smail

Maykel Garas

George F Wilber

Todd W Gould

Travis S Reid

A computer () has at least one database () which contains information such as a list of tasks to be performed when manufacturing, upgrading, or servicing an aircraft, the status of the tasks, the resource listing for each task, and the configuration of the resources. When a crew () receives a task, the crew requests the flight deck operator FDO () to capture the resources listed for the task. The FDO uses a terminal () to query the computer to determine whether the resource is available. If available, the FDO then captures the resources for that task and configures the resource in the manner listed for that task. If a required resource has been captured for another task and is not available then the FDO can determine whether to interrupt the other task and release the resource for the assigned task.

Automated allocation of vehicle systems for different specified vehicle testing tasks

Status of complex system functions is diagnosed and reported by analyzing traffic on a data network of the complex system. The network traffic may be placed on the data network by systems that perform functions for the complex system. A user may make a view selection via a remote user interface. The view selection identifies rules for determining a status of a selected subset of the functions or a status of selected ones of the functions for a selected state of operation, such as during initial power-up. The status of the functions may be determined from the network traffic using the rules and presented to the user via the user interface. The user may interact with the presentation to make different view selections. Multiple different view selections made via multiple different user interfaces may be supported simultaneously.

Complex system function status diagnosis and presentation

Remotely performed maintenance of a transportation unit such as an aircraft is disclosed, wherein the maintenance is performed utilizing a networked environment. In one implementation, a first network, located within the mobile transportation unit, is accessed from a second network, located externally to the mobile transportation unit. Having remotely assessed the first network, communication with one or more assets of the mobile transportation unit, which are connected to the first network, is possible. Maintenance operations are then performed by exchanging data and commands with the assets of the mobile transportation unit.

Remote aircraft maintenance in a networked environment

A system and method for establishing connectivity between a client device and an on-board computer network of an airplane are provided. The client device is connected for establishing communication with a network such as an enterprise intranet associated with the airplane. A virtual private network is created for establishing communication between a router and the client device. The client device is connected with an on-board server of the airplane via the router while maintaining connectivity between the personal computer and the network.

Router for establishing connectivity between a client device and on-board systems of an airplane

An automated test apparatus (10) for testing the flight controls system of an aircraft (12) as part of an integrated system for testing a plurality of aircraft systems. The automated test apparatus includes a system controller (16) having memory (18) for storing programmed instructions that control operation of the automated test apparatus, and for storing resulting flight controls system test data. The automated test apparatus includes a keyboard (20), a touch screen (24), and a tape drive (22) for entering programmed instructions and other information into the automated test apparatus, and for outputting test data from the system controller. Instruments (26) included in the automated test apparatus and controlled by the system controller generate test signals that are input to the aircraft's flight controls system, and monitor resulting test data signals that are produced by the flight controls system. The automated test apparatus is connected by an interface cable (28) to an onboard central maintenance computer (30) included in the aircraft. The central maintenance computer includes a non-volatile memory that is programmed to run onboard tests of the flight controls system, and is controlled by the system controller during testing in accordance with the programmed instructions to run the onboard tests.

Automated test apparatus for aircraft flight controls

Growing community of inventors

Renton, WA, United States of America

Garry G Herzberg