Advanced Virtual Sensors For Rotorcrafts

Abstract

The advent of virtual sensors has brought about a revolutionary change in the field of helicopter data acquisition. These sensors can reconstruct signals without the need for physical sensors, thereby enhancing the availability of data for a range of applications, including component behaviour analysis, predictive maintenance and customer support. This study develops an innovative environment for the rapid, scalable creation of virtual sensors in helicopter systems, enabling the automatic generation of these sensors guided by technical experts without extensive programming skills. The two-pronged validation approach entailed an assessment of both the quality of signal reconstruction and the practical utility of the method in daily workflows. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the approach, with over 15 virtual sensors implemented in-house for predictive maintenance, component analysis, and signal recovery during flight tests. This user-friendly development environment facilitates the adoption of technology in the helicopter industry, which may result in enhanced data availability, improved maintenance strategies, and more comprehensive flight-testing capabilities. The implications include the possibility of safer and more efficient helicopter operations through the implementation of improved data-driven decision-making processes.