EARLY DETECTION OF FAULTY DEICING HEATERS ON WIDE-BODY AIRCRAFT

摘要

A system and method for monitoring a critical component (e.g., an electricaldeicing heater) on an aircraft. Afirst electrical current is input into the criticalcomponent, a second electrical current is returned from the criticalcomponent, and anelectrical differential current of the critical component is detected. Theelectricaldifferential current is the difference between the first electrical currentand the secondelectrical current. An electrical differential current signal is generatedfrom the detectedelectrical differential current. The electrical differential current signal iscompared to adifferential current threshold, and precautionary action is triggered based onthecomparison. A deterioration trend of the critical component is monitored bytrackingvariations in the electrical differential current of the critical componentover time.