Identification of hidden failures in process control systems through function-oriented system analysis

摘要

The main subject of this thesis is to identify hidden failures in process control systems by developing and using a function-oriented system analysis method. Qualitative failure analysis and the characteristics of the classical failure analysis methods and function-oriented modelling methods are covered. The general limitations of the methods in connection with the identification and representation of hidden failures are discussed. The discussion has led to the justification of developing and using a function-oriented system analysis method to identify and represent the capabilities of the system components, which realize different sets of functions in connection with different sets of goals that the system must achieve. A terminology is introduced to define the basic aspects of technical systems including goals, functions, capabilities and physical structure. A function-oriented system analysis method using this terminology and a tailored combination of the two function-oriented modelling approaches, is also introduced. It is then explained how the method can be applied in the identification and representation of hidden failures. The building blocks of a knowledge-oriented system to perform the diagnosis on the basis of the developed method are equally described. A prototype of the knowledge-based system is developed to demonstrate the applicability of the function-oriented system analysis method and the knowledge-based system. The prototype is implemented within the object-oriented software environment G2. (au) 65 ills., 32 refs.