Predictive Vibration Monitor Units

The smell of smoke or fumes could be the first indication of a fire. Luckily, most incidents are not fire, but caused by failing components, electrical problems, or bleed air contamination—problems that can still impact the operation of the aircraft. Positive visual identification of the source of the smoke or fumes, and visual confirmation that the source is extinguished, is the only means for allowing continued operation of the flight.

Unfortunately, the root cause cannot always be accurately verified in-flight. Without positive identification of the source, Flight Crews have little choice but to divert the aircraft, and in many instances, declare an emergency. Current FAA data reflects smoke/fume related incidents occur on an average of 3 per day just in the US alone.

Predictive technologies are employed to avoid simply reacting to serious issues, but to warn flight crews of pending dangers in time for them to react and avoid an accident. Technology to predict and actively intervene, by stopping smoke producing components such as air cycle machines, fans, or other rotating components before the smoke begins, could significantly decrease diversions due to odor and smoke of undetermined origin.

Data shows that the most common cause of smoke in the B757 are fans in the air conditioning system (Boeing, 2000). Operators using predictive technology on these fans have fewer in-flight smoke events resulting in fewer diversions (Rosenkrans, 2011). There are safety, financial and operational benefits of improved reliability.