USAF AUGMENTED MAINTENANCE PREDICTION (AMP) for Technology Area: 1. Aerospace Systems Technology

Augmented Maintenance Prediction (AMP) enhances Condition Based Maintenance (CBM+) activities by monitoring the unique molecular markers produced by the decomposition of gaskets, fluids, and lubricants in complex mechanical systems. The current information driving CBM+ predictive maintenance is generally limited to a fleet’s logs of historic use, reported issues, SOAPS analysis, and historic maintenance, each of which is used to predict the probability of mechanical failure. AMP increases the ability of CMB+ to predict mechanical failure by identifying the molecular markers of aging/failing parts before they are observable to maintenance staff. With this molecular analysis, AMP improves the ability of CMB+ to proactively identify opportunities for low-cost interventions to avoid high-cost catastrophic failure.  ?AMP leverages a novel and inexpensive batch-collection technology to capture the full spectrum of volatile chemistry present at different physical locations in the mechanical system. AMP can be used before, during, or after equipment use. The AMP Collectors are then batch-processed through a GC-Mass Spectrometer. AMP’s unique AI is then applied to match chemical signatures identified to specific lubricants, fluids, degradation of gaskets, and by-products of combustion. Combining AMP’s intelligence with the data from historic use, environmental conditions, and maintenance logs, AMP will recommend parts to be inspected by technicians during future field- and depot-level maintenance. With the subsequent and ongoing feedback of the findings from activities prescribed by AMP, the system becomes more intelligent and accurate at predicting mechanical failure and optimizing maintenance in the context of part availability and other supply chain constraints. In addition to identifying the need for service, AMP assists in optimizing the schedule for “Time-Change Tasks”, moving them to “Demand-Change Tasks”: reducing unnecessary basic maintenance and expediting the detection of advanced issues prior to scheduled maintenance. AMP enhances the ability of CMB+ to reduce cost, improve performance, enhance readiness, and improves the predictability of the overall maintenance and requisition supply chain.