A helicopter powertrain diagnostics and prognostics demonstration

The SH-60 Helicopter Integrated Diagnostic System (HIDS) program was initiated as a proof-of-concept effort to develop, demonstrate, and integrate available and advanced mechanical diagnostic technologies for propulsion and power drive system monitoring. Included in these technologies were various rule based and model based analysis techniques which were applied to demonstrate and validate various levels of diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. These will be discussed. Since spalling of the SB 2205 roller bearing integral inner race is the most common dynamic component cause for gearbox removal in the SH-60, it was tested as part of the HIDS effort. Using this as a case example, diagnostic methods are used to identify the fault, and means of applying prognostics are discussed. Other more recent examples of “seeded faults” are also discussed as case studies demonstrating various degrees of diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. Relative rating of the performance of the different analysis techniques evaluated will also be discussed. As used in this paper, prognostics is the capability to provide early detection of the precursor and/or incipient fault condition to a component or sub-element failure condition; and to have the technology and means to manage and predict the progression of this fault condition to component failure. This prognostic philosophy is further embellished; using examples from the HIDS past and current “seeded fault” data base to define accomplishments and discuss additional demonstration requirements. Finally, a full description, major accomplishments, status and planned efforts for the current Helicopter Transmission Test Facility (HTTF) are presented