Abstract:
An example generator test assembly includes a testing module operative to test a generator according to a test procedure. At least one connector is configured to couple the generator to the testing module. The generator has a generator identifier. The test module is configured to select the test procedure from a plurality of potential test procedures based on the generator identifier.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to testing a generator and, more particularly, to adjusting a test procedure for the generator based on an identifier associated with the generator. 
         [0002]    Generators are well known. Many aircraft, for example, include generators that are used to produce electric power for various components. Turbomachines on the aircraft are often used to power the generator. Some aircraft use the generator as a motor during start-up to accelerate rotors of the turbomachine until the rotor is rotating fast enough to sustain operation of the turbomachine. Other aircraft only use a generator to provide power, such as an integrated drive generator (IDG). In both of these examples, the turbomachine drives the generator when the generator is providing power. The type and size of the generator depends on the components to be powered and other variables. 
         [0003]    Technicians typically test a generator before installing the generator in the aircraft. After installation, the generator is periodically removed from the aircraft for other tests. As known, a component maintenance manual associated with the generator describes the required tests. The tests may evaluate the electrical integrity of the generator and identify potential problems. Testing the generator is labor intensive and time consuming. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An example generator test assembly includes a testing module operative to test a generator according to a test procedure. At least one connector is configured to couple the generator to the testing module. The generator has a generator identifier. The test module is configured to select the test procedure from a plurality of potential test procedures based on the generator identifier. 
         [0005]    Another example generator test assembly includes at least one connector and a testing module operative to test a generator according to a test procedure. The test module is configured to select the test procedure from a plurality of potential test procedures based on an identifier associated with the generator. The generator includes at least one connection interface that is used to electrically couple the generator to an aircraft when the generator is in an installed position and to electrically couple the generator to the testing module when the generator is in a testing position. 
         [0006]    An example generator testing method includes connecting a test module to a generator and providing the test module with an identifier associated with the generator. The method uses the test module to select a test procedure based on the identifier and uses the test module to test the generator according to the test procedure. 
         [0007]    These and other features of the disclosed examples can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a generator in an installed position within an aircraft. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of the  FIG. 1  generator in a testing position coupled to an example generator test assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a memory portion of the  FIG. 2  generator test assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the generator and generator test assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a close-up view of a connection interface of the  FIG. 4  generator. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows an end view of a cannon plug from the  FIG. 4  generator test assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example aircraft  10  includes a differential gear assembly  14  rotatably coupling a gas turbine engine  18  to a generator  22 . The differential gear assembly  14  adjusts a rotational output from the gas turbine engine  18  so that the generator  22  is provided with a relatively consistent rotatable input, which allows the generator  22  to power a plurality of aircraft components  26 . Examples of the aircraft components  26  include lights and sensors onboard the aircraft  10 . 
         [0015]    The generator  22  is an integrated drive generator in this example. The generator  22  includes a plurality of connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  that electrically couple the components  26  to the generator  22 . The connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  are pin connectors in this example. The components  26  are decoupled from the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  when the generator  22  is removed from the aircraft  10 . When the generator  22  is installed within the aircraft  10 , the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  are used for communications between the generator  22  and a generator control unit in the aircraft  10 , for example. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  with continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the generator  22  is periodically tested to determine the integrity of windings and coils within the generator  22 , for example. The generator  22  is also tested prior to installing the generator  22  in the aircraft  10  for the first time. During testing, the generator  22  is removed from the aircraft  10  and placed in a testing position, such as a bench in a testing lab. Example tests performed on the generator  22  include dielectric tests, resistance tests, insulation tests, etc. 
         [0017]    In this example, a generator test assembly  34  is used to test the generator  22 . The generator test assembly  34  includes a testing module  38  that is coupled to the generator  22  using a plurality of connectors  42 . In this example, each of the connectors  42  engages one of the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c.  Notably, the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  are the same as the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  that electrically couple generator  22  to the components  26  when the generator  22  is in an installed position within the aircraft  10 . 
         [0018]    The testing module  38  is a type of computing device in this example. A power supply  46  provides power to the testing module  38 . The example testing module  38  is linked to a printer  50  and a display  54 , and includes a memory portion  58  and a processor  62 . 
         [0019]    It should be noted that various types of computing devices can be used as the testing module  38 . In terms of hardware architecture, the computing device can include the processor  62 , memory portion  58 , and one or more input and/or output (I/O) device interface(s) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface can include, for example but not limited to, one or more buses and/or other wired or wireless connections. The local interface may have additional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components. 
         [0020]    The processor  62  may be a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in the memory portion  58 . The processor  62  can be a custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computing device, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set) or generally any device for executing software instructions. 
         [0021]    The memory portion  58  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and/or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory portion  58  may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory portion  58  can also have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remotely from one another, but can be accessed by the processor  62 . 
         [0022]    The software in the memory portion  58  may include one or more separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. A system component embodied as software may also be construed as a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When constructed as a source program, the program is translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory portion  58 . 
         [0023]    The Input/Output devices that may be coupled to system I/O Interface(s) may include input devices, for example but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, camera, proximity device, etc. Further, the Input/Output devices may also include output devices, for example but not limited to, the printer  50 , the display  54 , etc. Finally, the Input/Output devices may further include devices that communicate both as inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, etc. 
         [0024]    When the computing device is in operation, the processor  62  can be configured to execute software stored within the memory portion  58 , to communicate data to and from the memory portion  58 , and to generally control operations of the computing device pursuant to the software. Software in memory, in whole or in part, is read by the processor  62 , perhaps buffered within the processor  62 , and then executed. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  with continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , the generator  22  has an associated generator identifier  66   a.  In this example, the generator identifier  66   a  is a generator part number. Although the generator part number is used as the generator identifier in this example, other examples may include other types of generator identifiers. 
         [0026]    Other types of generators include other generator identifiers  66   b - 66   f.  As known, testing requirements for the generator  22  vary depending on the type of generator. 
         [0027]    The example memory portion  58  of the testing module  38  stores a plurality of automated component maintenance procedures  68  that are derived from a component maintenance manual. The component maintenance procedures  68  include a plurality of test requirements  70   a - 70   e.  Each of the testing requirements  70   a - 70   e  is associated with one of the generator identifiers  66   a - 66   f.  The component maintenance procedures  68  include testing requirements  70   a - 70   f  for the generator  22  and various other types of generators. 
         [0028]    When testing the generator  22 , an operator inputs the generator identifier  66   a  into the testing module  38  using the input device  56 . The processor  62  then selects the appropriate testing requirement from the component maintenance procedures  68  of the memory portion  58 . The testing requirement  70   a  is the appropriate testing requirement in this example because the testing requirement  70   a  is associated with the generator identifier  66   a.    
         [0029]    After determining the testing requirement  70   a,  the testing module  38  performs tests on the generator  22  according to the testing requirements  70   a.  Example tests include dielectric tests, resistance tests, and insulation tests on the generator  22 . Some of the tests require transmitting voltage to the generator  22  and then measuring relevant variables. Other tests, such as resistance tests, do not transmit voltage. In one specific test example, the resistance limit of a current transformer assembly within the generator  22  is tested. The current transformer assembly passes the test if the resistance limit of the current transformer assembly is 21.6 Ohms +/−2 Ohms. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the example generator test assembly  34  connects to another generator  74  at the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c.  As the generator  74  has been removed from the aircraft  10  ( FIG. 1 ), the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  are available for connection to the generator test assembly  34 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6  with continuing reference to  FIG. 4 , the connection interfaces  30   a - 30   c  each include multiple individual pins  82  used to communicate power to and from the generator  74 . 
         [0032]    An end  86  of one or more of the connectors  42  is a cannon plug in this example. The cannon plug includes multiple apertures each configured to receive a respective pin from the connection interface  30   a.  The testing module  38  is able to communicate with each pin  82  within the connection interface  30   a.  The end  86  communicates voltage through selected ones of the pins  82  to test the generator  74 . The specific voltage levels are dictated by the appropriate testing requirements  70   a - 70   f.    
         [0033]    Features of the disclosed example include automatically testing and determining testing requirements for a generator. That is, a technician is not required to test individual pins within the generator or to look up specific testing requirements within a component maintenance manual. 
         [0034]    The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.