Abstract: A measurement apparatus for determining a bending moment acting on a hollow cylindrical body in a current state as well as to a method of operating such a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus may include a sensor support structure, a sensor arrangement with sensors, and a processing system. The processing system may determine displacements of the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body relative to the sensors based on the distances measured in the current state compared to the distances measured during an initial undeformed state, and determine the bending moment acting on the hollow cylindrical body based on the displacements.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for determining a bending moment acting on a hollow cylindrical body in a current state as well as to a method of operating such a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus may include a sensor support structure, a sensor arrangement with sensors, and a processing system. The processing system may determine displacements of the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body relative to the sensors based on the distances measured in the current state compared to the distances measured during an initial undeformed state, and determine the bending moment acting on the hollow cylindrical body based on the displacements.

Abstract: A fatigue life management system for determining a remaining fatigue life of a component of an aircraft. The fatigue life management system may generate probability density functions of minimum load, maximum load, and timeframe damage for predetermined time intervals based on selected flight data of the aircraft and regression models for probabilistic prediction of minimum load, maximum load, and timeframe damage of the component. The fatigue life management system may further compute an accumulated fatigue damage estimation based on the probability density functions and a probabilistic fatigue strength model. The fatigue life management system may then generate a distribution of the accumulated fatigue damage estimation of the component. If desired, the processing circuit may compare the distribution of the accumulated fatigue damage estimation with a reliability requirement to determine the remaining fatigue life of the component.

Abstract: A fatigue life management system for determining a remaining fatigue life of a component of an aircraft. The fatigue life management system may generate probability density functions of minimum load, maximum load, and timeframe damage for predetermined time intervals based on selected flight data of the aircraft and regression models for probabilistic prediction of minimum load, maximum load, and timeframe damage of the component. The fatigue life management system may further compute an accumulated fatigue damage estimation based on the probability density functions and a probabilistic fatigue strength model. The fatigue life management system may then generate a distribution of the accumulated fatigue damage estimation of the component. If desired, the processing circuit may compare the distribution of the accumulated fatigue damage estimation with a reliability requirement to determine the remaining fatigue life of the component.

Abstract: A method of measuring torque acting on a drive shaft (13) and a torque measurement system for implementing said method. Vibration sensors (18, 20) are attached to each of said main gearbox (11) and said tail gearbox (15) in order to detect gear mesh vibrations resulting from interaction of said drive shaft (13) with said main gear (12) and said tail gear (16), said detected gear mesh vibrations being transferred to an evaluation unit (19) for analysis.

Abstract: A method and a device for contactless determination of forces and/or moments acting on a hollow cylindrical body (12), in which via a light source (20; 38; 40), light radiation is produced within the hollow cylindrical body (12); measurement signals are recorded by an optoelectronic sensor (22; 34); the measurement signals recorded by the optoelectronic sensor (22; 34) are supplied to the signal processing unit (26); the signal processing unit (26) detects and outputs changes of the measurement signals relative to an initial state determined beforehand by calibration, corresponding to the initial undeformed state of the hollow cylindrical body (12); and when a mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12) is present, according to a calibration function or a calculation rule, the signal processing unit (26) outputs an output signal that describes the forces and/or moments that are causing the mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12).

Abstract: A method of measuring torque acting on a drive shaft (13) and a torque measurement system for implementing said method. Vibration sensors (18, 20) are attached to each of said main gearbox (11) and said tail gearbox (15) in order to detect gear mesh vibrations resulting from interaction of said drive shaft (13) with said main gear (12) and said tail gear (16), said detected gear mesh vibrations being transferred to an evaluation unit (19) for analysis.

Abstract: A method and a device for contactless determination of forces and/or moments acting on a hollow cylindrical body (12), in which via a light source (20; 38; 40), light radiation is produced within the hollow cylindrical body (12); measurement signals are recorded by an optoelectronic sensor (22; 34); the measurement signals recorded by the optoelectronic sensor (22; 34) are supplied to the signal processing unit (26); the signal processing unit (26) detects and outputs changes of the measurement signals relative to an initial state determined beforehand by calibration, corresponding to the initial undeformed state of the hollow cylindrical body (12); and when a mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12) is present, according to a calibration function or a calculation rule, the signal processing unit (26) outputs an output signal that describes the forces and/or moments that are causing the mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12).