A particle filtering-based framework for on-line fault diagnosis and failure prognosis.

摘要

This thesis presents an on-line particle-filtering-based framework for fault diagnosis and failure prognosis in nonlinear, non-Gaussian systems. The methodology assumes the definition of a set of fault indicators, which are appropriate for monitoring purposes, the availability of real-time process measurements, and the existence of empirical knowledge (or historical data) to characterize both nominal and abnormal operating conditions.; The incorporation of particle-filtering (PF) techniques in the proposed scheme not only allows for the implementation of real time algorithms, but also provides a solid theoretical framework to handle the problem of fault detection and isolation (FDI), fault identification, and failure prognosis. Founded on the concept of sequential importance sampling (SIS) and Bayesian theory, PF approximates the conditional state probability distribution by a swarm of points called "particles" and a set of weights representing discrete probability masses. Particles can be easily generated and recursively updated in real time, given a nonlinear process dynamic model and a measurement model that relates the states of the system with the observed fault indicators.; Two autonomous modules have been considered in this research. On one hand, the fault diagnosis module uses a hybrid state-space model of the plant and a particle-filtering algorithm to (1) calculate the probability of any given fault condition in real time, (2) estimate the probability density function (pdf) of the continuous-valued states in the monitored system, and (3) provide information about type I and type II detection errors, as well as other critical statistics. Among the advantages offered by this diagnosis approach is the fact that the pdf state estimate may be used as the initial condition in prognostic modules after a particular fault mode is isolated, hence allowing swift transitions between FDI and prognostic routines. The failure prognosis module, on the other hand, computes (in real time) the pdf of the remaining useful life (RUL) of the faulty subsystem using a particle-filtering-based algorithm. This algorithm consecutively updates the current state estimate for a nonlinear state-space model (with unknown time-varying parameters) and predicts the evolution in time of the fault indicator pdf. The outcome of the prognosis module provides information about the precision and accuracy of long-term predictions, RUL expectations, 95% confidence intervals, and other hypothesis tests for the failure condition under study. Finally, inner and outer correction loops (learning schemes) are used to periodically improve the parameters that characterize the performance of FDI and/or prognosis algorithms. Illustrative theoretical examples and data from a seeded fault test for a UH-60 planetary carrier plate are used to validate all proposed approaches.; Contributions of this research include: (1) the establishment of a general methodology for real time FDI and failure prognosis in nonlinear processes with unknown model parameters, (2) the definition of appropriate procedures to generate dependable statistics about fault conditions, and (3) a description of specific ways to utilize information from real time measurements to improve the precision and accuracy of the predictions for the state probability density function (pdf).