Total Rotorcraft Utility Winch (TRUW) Gearbox PHM

Impact Technologies, with support from multiple helicopter system OEMs, proposes to develop a universal, low-power, modular, wireless-capable system that can monitor the condition of winch components. The system will utilize a limited number of digital smart sensors to collect necessary data and autonomously generate and display the remaining service life, current health state, and failure mode classification (if detected). Multiple sensed parameters (vibration, oil quality & debris, and temperature) will be collected with a minimal suite of existing sensors to provide comprehensive failure mode coverage. Using proven methods with low technical risk, Impact proposes to integrate the results of the winch PHM system into existing HUMS systems, allowing integration of winch specific information into established maintenance and logistic procedures. The program is innovative in its combination of new analysis/modeling methods, proven digital smart sensors, of which many have been successfully implemented by the authors in previous machinery health management programs, data fusion, and wireless architecture design. Ultimately, the outcome will be a modular and robust monitoring system that can be readily configured and deployed to monitor the condition of any winch or hoist system to maximize operational efficiency, increase safety, and reduce costs.