ENGINE TEST METHOD USING STRUCTURED TEST PROTOCOL
A method of testing engines by evaluating operating parameters as dependent variables as a function of a respective independent variable. A failure rate is established for at least some of the operating parameters as judged against pass/fail specifications. A test sequence for operating parameters is established prioritizing at least one high failure rate operating parameter in the test sequence.
1 . A method of testing an engine for a plurality of different operating parameters, the method comprising:
providing data indicative of at least one of failure rate of engine components as indicated by measured operating parameter values, time to perform a test of each of a plurality engine operating parameters and severity of defect;
storing said data;
analyzing said data and determining an order sequence of operating parameter test performance; and
conducting the tests of operating parameters for an engine in a priority sequence based on the determination.
2 . The method of claim 1 including collecting further operating parameter data after a test sequence is established and evaluating the test sequence for possible change based on analysis of the further operating parameter data.
3 . The method of 2 including assigning a severity of defect value to at least two operating parameters and considering said severity of defect values in making said test sequence determination.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein an operating parameter having a higher severity of defect value being tested prior to an operating parameter having a lesser severity of defect value.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the sequence of tests being conducted generally in descending order of engine component failure rate.
6 . The method of claim 5 including collecting further operating parameter data after a test sequence is established and evaluating the test sequence for possible change based on analysis of further data.
7 . The method of claim 6 including determining a new order sequence based on a change in failure rate.
8 . The method of claim 1 including grouping selected operating parameters in a group and gathering data for the grouped operating parameters in as a group and prioritizing the position of the group in the test sequence based on the priority of at least one operating parameter in the group.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein at least some of the operating parameters in the group being related.