UPGRADE FLUID SYSTEM FILTER ELEMENT MONITORING TO INCREASE OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY AND SUPPORT CONDITION BASED MAINTENANCE CAPABILITY

摘要

Military aircraft can gain valuable Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) information from the effective monitoring of the change in pressure across a fluid system filter element. Over 90 percent of all military aircraft utilize fluid system filter element monitoring devices that are unable to effectively support the CBM initiative. In recent years, significant improvements in monitoring technology have been developed that can dramatically enhance military aircraft fluid systems' reliability, sustainability, readiness, and safety of flight. This paper will review the historical evolution, performance capability, and limitations of the existing monitoring devices. Each device will be evaluated on its suitability to support on-condition maintenance of the in-system filter element as well as the ability to provide early fault indication of the fluid system.