Boilermodel: A Qualitative Model-Based Reasoning System Implemented in Ada.

摘要

Effective, inexpensive, and realistic on-going training is required to keep all Naval personnel proficient in their fields. Nowhere is this more true than in steam propulsion engineering plants. The complex systems of valves, piping, and components require continual refresher for watchstanders to perform their jobs safely. BoilerModel is a qualitative expert system designed using model-based reasoning principles and implemented in Ada. It accurately models a 1200 psi D-type boiler and its associated peripherals. The use of fundamental intra-component relationships (first principles) and constraint propagation result in compact code because there is no need for the extensive rule base found in conventional expert systems. Implementation in Ada permits the use of concurrent tasking to simulate simultaneous valve propagation found in real-world boiler systems. Additionally Ada's portability allows BoilerModel to be compiled and run on virtually any machine, thereby making it an affordable and attractive complement to shipboard engineering training.