A Multivariable Remaining Useful Life Prognosticator for Hydraulic Pumps

To avoid catastrophic failure of aircraft hydraulic pumps, scheduled maintenance procedures often call for their replacement even though significant useful life may remain. Creare proposes to develop a Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prognostication tool thatfacilitates the move toward more cost effective Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) procedures. The system is based on the monitoring of several key operating parameters, while a sophisticated predictive model computes RUL and allows maintenance personnelto replace the pump only when necessary. The system will be automated, low cost, and easy to use by maintenance personnel and has the potential to reduce manpower, materials, and other maintenance costs.In Phase I, we will develop a benchtop prototype and use synthesized pump monitoring signals to formulate the predictive models. Further, we will thoroughly define aircraft and maintenance personnel needs, to ensure that we develop a system that reducesmanpower requirements and costs and extends equipment lifetime. In Phase II, we will further refine the system, providing a field-ready system that can be thoroughly evaluated during actual aircraft hydraulic pump lifecycle tests. This system has the potential to drastically improve aircraft safety and reduce maintenance costs by facilitating a Condition-Based Maintenance approach for hydraulic pumps. This technology is applicable to all commercial and military aircraft, so thepotential market is substantial. Further, the predictive models developed for hydraulic pumps are also applicable to other types of fluid pumps and rotating machinery.