Patent ID: 8794969
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. A method of simulating operation of an aircraft engine bleed air system, comprising: providing a portable, free-standing, engine bleed air system training aid operable in a classroom environment; providing simulated controls and indicators corresponding to a selected subset of an aircraft pilot's engine bleed air controls and indicators located in the aircraft cockpit; providing an engine bleed air training circuit comprising at least two simulated engine bleed air components corresponding to two respective actual engine bleed air components of the aircraft engine bleed air system that are hidden from view during aircraft operation and positioned distant from the aircraft cockpit, wherein a first of the at least two simulated engine bleed air components comprises a simulated high stage valve; arranging the engine bleed air training circuit on the engine bleed air system training aid with the at least two simulated engine bleed air components in view of a trainee addressing the engine bleed air system training aid; arranging the simulated controls and indicators within reach of a trainee addressing the engine bleed air system training aid and within view of the at least two simulated engine bleed air components; providing a container of pressurized gas on the engine bleed air training aid; providing an interactive training visualization comprising the engine bleed air training circuit, the simulated engine bleed air components and the simulated controls and indicators simultaneously visible to and operable by the trainee; simulating high temperature and high pressure operation of the aircraft engine bleed air system by flowing gas from the container of pressurized gas at low temperature and low pressure through the simulated engine bleed air components; heating the low temperature gas to a higher safe training temperature, the higher safe training temperature being below actual high operating temperature; sensing temperature within the engine bleed air training circuit and determining when the higher safe training temperature is reached; causing at least one of the simulated engine bleed air components to visibly change condition when the higher safe training temperature is reached; displaying an indication of the simulated engine bleed air component's changed condition on the simulated controls and indicators; providing a reverse flow control in the simulated engine bleed air circuit, the reverse flow control being operable to cause flow in the simulated engine bleed air circuit to change between a conventional flow direction corresponding to a flow direction in the aircraft engine bleed air circuit to a reverse flow direction not corresponding to any actual flow condition in the aircraft engine bleed air circuit; actuating the reverse flow control to change from the conventional direction to the reverse flow direction, thereby simulating increasing pressure in the simulated engine bleed air circuit; causing the simulated high stage valve to close automatically in response to the reverse flow; receiving a manual input from the trainee to address the simulated engine bleed air component's changed condition; and within the interactive training visualization, causing the simulated controls and indicators to display an indication responsive to the manual input.