Abstract:
Information storage devices are permanently deployed on individual components of turbine engines to permanently record operating, repair, and maintenance data on the parts that comprise the individual components. Ensuring that such data will not be lost when individual components or their parts are replaced in an engine, allows the use of life limited parts in turbine engines and improves their reliability. The information storage devices can be accessed to record maintenance or to record changes when repairs are done. They can also be attached to external circuitry for the purpose of analyzing, downloading or recording data remotely, allowing analysis of component operating, repair, and maintenance information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to the field of turbine engines, the individual engine components that make up turbine engines, and the parts that comprise individual engine components.  
         [0002]     Turbine engines are usually intended for use in industrial applications or in transportation such as in aircraft, marine, military, or automotive applications. In some environments service and safety requirements are extremely demanding such as those employed in aircraft transportation equipment. In many other applications the engines, in general, do not have the demanding safety requirements of aircraft engines. However, as more advanced engines are designed and as they find application in increasingly demanding service environments, it is becoming increasingly important to track the operating history of engine parts in all the engines so that they can be studied and retired at an appropriate time.  
         [0003]     Life limited parts are parts that are retired after a defined period of usage to avoid part failure while in use and are often used in critical applications where the consequences of failure are unacceptable. An advantage of thorough and correct logging of engine operation and part service history allows use of life limited parts which constitutes an improvement in overall engine dependability.  
         [0004]     Historically, in some applications, very detailed records of engines and part service history are kept as in the case of aircraft engines where Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements must be met. In other applications, especially where government mandated guidelines are not required to be met, paper based log books have been kept incorporating service records for turbine engines. The problem with such paper based logs is that sometimes they are not kept up to date, sometimes are updated with incorrect information, and sometimes are lost altogether along with their history of engine operation and maintenance. Further, these logs are often kept for the engine as a whole rather than for the individual components of the engine. This creates a complication in that sometimes individual engine components are replaced with other components while the rest of the engine remains unchanged. These components usually constitute a section of the engine such as a compressor stage or a turbine stage or a combustor module. The components are comprised of many individual parts. Consequently, the history of individual parts is lost in the process of routine maintenance and upkeep.  
         [0005]     Using more modern procedures, parts are generally logged into a centrally located electronic database. The engine control system logs hours and cycles as the engine is used. When the engine is subjected to repair or over-haul, these numbers are manually logged against appropriate parts in the centrally located database. The data is entered manually or using bar coded labels or tags on the hardware by maintenance personnel.  
         [0006]     This process is well controlled in the aircraft engine world as it is a requirement of the FAA and compliance is mandatory. In the industrial world FAA compliance is not mandatory, and it is the responsibility of each individual operator. Some operators are conscientious and do maintain detailed records.  
         [0007]     However, engine parts are sometimes replaced during on-site maintenance. Sometimes entire components of turbine engines get replaced without replacing the engine as a whole. When that happens, using conventional procedures relating to the engine as a whole, the operating and maintenance or repair history not only of individual parts within a component, but of the entire engine component can be lost, and logging procedures relating to the engine as a whole can become misleading.  
         [0008]     In another alternative, a leased engine may be installed on site while the removed engine is repaired in the shop. This can lead to confusion about the operating and maintenance or repair history of both engines.  
         [0009]     In these examples and others like them, the confusion complicates the use of life limited parts and prevents accurate data on the operation and maintenance or repair of individual engine components and their parts. A more accurate and reliable method for recording the data is needed.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0010]     In one embodiment the invention relates to an apparatus for recording, storing, updating, and retrieving operating, maintenance and repair information relating to individual components of turbine engines, said apparatus comprising at least one information storage device permanently deployed on at least one individual engine component further comprising: a)identification information about at least one part of the engine component stored thereon; b)at least one data register having data storage capability, said data register referenced by stored identification information of at least one part and a parameter recorded by said data register; wherein said information storage device is accessible for at least one of the following: i)recording and storing maintenance work done when the engine component undergoes maintenance; ii)updating said information storage device when a part is exchanged for a replacement part; iii)retrieving recorded and stored information in said information storage device under certain selected conditions.  
         [0011]     In one aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for electronically recording, storing, updating, and retrieving operating, repair, and maintenance information relating to individual components of gas turbine engines comprising at least one information storage device permanently deployed on at least one individual engine component further comprising; a)identification information of at least one life limited part of the engine component stored thereon; b)at least one data register having data storage capability for life limited parts, said data register referenced by stored identification numbers of at least one life limited part and a parameter recorded by said data register; wherein said information storage device is accessible for at least one of the following: i)recording and storing maintenance work done when the engine component undergoes maintenance; ii)updating said information storage device with identification information of replacement life limited parts and appropriate settings for at least one data register when a life limited part is changed; iii)retrieving recorded and stored information in said information storage device under certain selected conditions.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment the invention relates to a method for recording, storing, updating and retrieving operating and maintenance information relating to an individual component of a turbine engine comprising the steps of: a)providing at least one information storage device permanently deployed on at least one individual engine component; b)storing identification information about at least one part of the individual engine component in the information storage device; c)providing at least one data register in the information storage device having data storage capability; d)referencing each data register with stored identification information of at least one part and a parameter recorded by each data register; e)operating the engine and recording operating parameter data in at least one data register; and f)at least one of the following: i)storing maintenance work done when the engine component undergoes maintenance; ii)updating the information storage device when a part is exchanged for a replacement part; iii)retrieving recorded and stored information from the information storage device under certain selectable conditions.  
         [0013]     In another aspect the invention relates to a method for electronically recording, storing, updating and retrieving operating and maintenance information relating to an individual component of a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of: a)providing at least one information storage device permanently deployed on at least one individual engine component; b)storing identification information about at least one life limited part of the individual engine component in the information storage device; c)providing at least one data register in the information storage device having data storage capability to record data parameters being measured and place them in a storage area of the information storage device; d)referencing each data register with stored identification information of at least one life limited part and a parameter recorded by each data register; e)operating the engine and recording operating parameter data in at least one data register; and f)at least one of the following: i)storing maintenance work done when the engine component undergoes maintenance; ii)updating the information storage device when a part is exchanged for a replacement part; retrieving recorded and stored information from the information storage device under certain selectable conditions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The drawing is a view of a turbine engine showing its components with information storage devices permanently attached. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The invention solves the problem of keeping accurate repair, maintenance, and operating data for turbine engine components and the parts that make up the components. This is accomplished by incorporating information storage devices permanently deployed on individual engine components. The information storage devices may be placed on the engine components by various means but are mounted or made integral with the components in such a way that they are permanently deployed and are not removable using simple mechanics” tools or without destroying the information storage device. Each information storage device records and stores the repair, operating and maintenance history of the individual parts present in the engine component by storing the status (i.e. the contents) of data registers present in the information storage device and is periodically updated by onboard or remote devices. The information can also be updated by maintenance or repair personnel when the engine component undergoes maintenance or repair.  
         [0016]     In one embodiment updating may require one or both of two actions: (1) resetting the values that are in the data registers or (2) writing directly to the memory. In this embodiment identification information relating to the part is written directly to memory, each data register associated with the part is referenced accordingly, and the data parameters in the data registers are reset. In any case, each data register maintains the current value of the parameter being measured and places it (stores it) appropriately, according to the part identification information, in a storage area of the information storage device at certain selectable times.  
         [0017]     The information storage device can employ a variety of capabilities and strategies to ensure that the operating, repair and service information of individual parts is complete and correct.  
         [0018]     Use of information storage devices permanently deployed on engine components enhances the use of life limited parts in the component. The repair, operating, and maintenance data needed to accurately determine when the life limited components should be retired is available in the information storage devices. In some cases a plurality of information storage devices may be deployed on one component.  
         [0019]     Referring to the drawing, the drawing is a view of one embodiment of a generic turbine engine  20  showing its components  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52 ,  62  with information storage devices  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54 ,  64  permanently attached. Component  22  is a low pressure compressor; component  32  is a high pressure compressor; component  42  is a combustor module; component  52  is a high pressure turbine; and component  62  is a low pressure turbine. In the following, reference number  22  will be used as an example when referring to a component, and the comments should be taken to apply each of the other components  32 ,  42 ,  52 ,  62  as well. Similarly, each information storage device,  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54 ,  64 , will be referred to by the example of information storage device  24 , and the commentary should be taken to refer to the other information storage devices  34 ,  44 ,  54 ,  64  as well for each respective information storage device  24 ,  34 ,  44 ,  54 ,  64  on each respective component  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52 ,  62  as shown in the drawing.  
         [0020]     Each component  22  has at least one information storage device  24  permanently deployed on the component  22 . This information storage device  24  serves as a registry and has in it the identification information for each part that is to be studied and recorded for the component  22  on which mounted. The information storage device  24  also has a set of data registers with the ability to store the data recorded in each data register for each of the parts, and each data register is identified with the identification information of the part to be monitored and recorded. This storage may occur periodically at certain selectable times determined by the engine control circuitry.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment the engine control system updates the relevant information on this set of data registers every time the engine is stopped, and the information recorded in the data registers is stored. Information updated includes items such as hours spent at rated power, part power, number of starts and other data for each part of interest.  
         [0022]     In another embodiment the engine control system updates and records the relevant information in the set of data registers periodically, and the data is stored at certain selectable times chosen by the operators.  
         [0023]     Information is permanently stored in the information storage device  24  for each component  22  and is accessible for download. Though accessible by authorized personnel, the recorded and the stored information in the information storage device  24  is only accessible by authorized personnel who possess an electronic key for accessing the information. In this embodiment, repair or maintenance personnel have separate electronic keys which permit them to update information in the information storage device  24  regarding maintenance or repair but only to their level of need. Further, their access to the information is restricted according to their level of need through the access permitted by their individual electronic keys.  
         [0024]     If a part is exchanged for a replacement part, authorized personnel will update the information storage device  24  with the identification numbers of the changed part and will appropriately set the data registers. In one embodiment where data on life limited parts is recorded and stored in the information storage device  24 , authorized personnel will be able to query the information storage device  24  to understand how much life is retained in the life limited parts and determine when any particular part should be replaced. This ability to query operational history for individual parts that comprise a turbine engine component  22  allows the use of life limited parts even though the individual turbine engine components  22  may be switched in or out of a particular turbine engine  20  over the course of its operational life.  
         [0025]     In addition, monitoring and diagnostics may also be performed by authorized personnel who query the information storage device  24  electronically to update a central data base which may be on board or off board the turbine engine  20 .  
         [0026]     In one embodiment this query capability is used to monitor maintenance and repair activity performed on the component  22  to ensure that contractual requirements are met.  
         [0027]     In one aspect the information storage device  24  employs electronic interlock circuitry to prevent tampering with the data stored in the information storage device  24 . In this embodiment authorized personnel access the data by utilizing an electronic key to allow access to the information.  
         [0028]     Another embodiment disables the engine component  22  when repair or maintenance is performed and will not allow the engine component  22  to function until the stored data is updated with the appropriate details of the repair or maintenance.  
         [0029]     Another embodiment utilizes circuitry external to the permanently installed information storage device  24  to poll a plurality of engine components  22  which are deployed on one engine or on a plurality of engines to analyze and predict individual engine performance, engine fleet performance, individual component performance in comparison to other components  22 , individual part performance in comparison to other parts, or to predict future maintenance requirements of components  22  or component parts.  
         [0030]     When the components  22  of turbine engines  20  are changed, removing one or more components  22  from an engine and replacing with new components  22 , information on the status of life limited parts is never lost due to the recorded and permanently stored data in the information storage device  24 .  
         [0031]     Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention is capable of embodiments different from those shown and described. It will be appreciated that the detail of the structure of this apparatus and methodology can be changed in various ways without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawing and detailed description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as including such equivalents as do not depart from the scope of the invention.