The technology, Librestream Onsight Connect, permits Rolls-Royce to train customer engineers to examine an engine for faults remotely. All they have to do is insert an ultrasound probe into an engine and connect to one of our trainers using an encrypted, secure video stream through a device such as a smartphone. The trainee then shares images from the probe and borescope to confirm the former is in exactly the right place, as well as views of himself/herself handling the equipment. This allows the trainer to fully understand how the equipment is being used and resolve any issues. Both the trainee and trainer can draw on a screen to highlight areas of interest and take pictures which can be stored for future reference. These multiple views enable the trainer to have a “virtual presence”.
This training creates a number of benefits for both airlines and Rolls-Royce. Prior to COVID-19 travel restrictions Rolls-Royce would have sent an inspector to the airline to perform the task of engine inspections, or the airline would have sent their engineers to Derby for training.
The ability for airlines to carry out their own inspections and confirm engines are in good condition to continue flying saves them both time and money. For example, Air China has carried out checks that cleared seven engines for continued service, avoiding the need to transport engines by truck on a 2,700- mile round journey to be inspected.
Peter Troman, Rolls-Royce Service Integration Manager, said: “There have been lots of wins by fully utilising Librestream during COVID-19. Airlines and ourselves have saved time and money. It has been such a major breakthrough that I don’t think there is any going back, even when we are beyond the current pandemic. We’ve seen confidence grow in the system both internally and among those we have trained. So everyone is very happy and it’s another option in the toolbox for us and our customers.”
Librestream has also indirectly helped provide humanitarian relief during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Remote training for Trent 1000 TEN Intermediate Pressure Compressor rotor 1 and 2 inspections were completed with launch technology user Neos in April, enabling them to inspect their engines and validate them to fly humanitarian missions from Italy.
Peter added: “This remote inspection freed up an aircraft and allowed Neos to ship medical supplies from China on behalf of the Italian Government. On a personal note, that has been one of the most satisfying instances of incorporating Librestream for a greater purpose.”
Further Trent 1000 Package C inspections – for the intermediate pressure compressor rotor 1 blade are now underway. This has required teamwork both with customers, and also within Rolls-Royce, as a demonstrator engine with examples of damage to the blades was required swiftly to support the remote training process.