Tooling
Maintenance tooling for Digital Recording Systems
ARRIEL 2, ARRIUS 2 and MAKILA 2 engines are equipped with digital control units. These control units have storage capacity for data that ranges from creep usage counters to failure codes and parameters recorded during in-use events.
There is tooling for each type of engine that allows one to access, read and use the stored data to help guide failure investigations.
- Connections between the tool and the control unit are established through a specific harness, a laptop computer and dedicated communication cards.
- Updates to the creep usage counters and downloading of data are done directly on the helicopter through the use of maintenance software.
- This same maintenance software provides direct access to the data at the helicopter but also provides an option to read the previously recorded files at a later time.
Tooling for Maintenance Equipment
Some engine equipment is specifically for making adjustments to the engine and checking the engine's condition. Engine Maintenance Manuals specify the tasks and tooling need to keep this equipment functioning properly. The documents shown below describe the fields of application and the tools that pertain specifically to checking pressure inspection equipment (E.G. switch, indicator, transmitter), engine networks and seals.
- Pressure checks
Air, oil and fuel pressure levels indicate an engine's condition. Several devices monitor these pressure levels and warn the operator whenever levels outside admissible limits are detected. There is tooling that verifies whether these pressure monitoring devices are functioning properly.
- Harness checks
Engine harnesses ensure the exchange of data between the engine and the airframe. Test procedure tooling allows harnesses to be checked electronically. The tooling also ensures continuity between the harnesses and their associated equipment.
- Seal checks
The engine fuel drains allow leaks and purges to be recycled or evacuated. Seal check tooling allows the volume of purges and leaks to be known.