Scientific Monitoring Inc.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Link C Jaw

Asif Khalak

Dong-Nan Wu

Frank O Liu

A method for reducing false alarms in a monitoring system comprising the steps of: providing an initial fault set (or a preliminary fault set) and using a decision process to successively reduce this initial fault set to a fault ensemble, said decision process using increasing probability or confidence in the initial fault set to generate the fault ensemble, which is considered to reflect a true abnormal condition; the decision process comprising at least two steps: the first step is generating a preliminary fault set by using a standard anomaly detection method with the additional variable (or adaptive) thresholds or temporal filters; the second step is using the preliminary fault set to generate at least one fault ensemble, each of which comprises a reduced number of refined faults that represent a more confident explanation of the cause(s) of an abnormal condition.

False alarm mitigation

A method for detecting a fault in a physical system uses a model of the physical system and calculates estimated dependent variables or conditions for the system using substantially only independent variables that are measured from the system using hardware redundancy or selected based on their better measurement reliability. An example of hardware redundancy is to measure an independent variable using two or more sensors rather than one. The estimated dependent variables are compared to the corresponding measured dependent variable conditions to calculate residuals, which are then analyzed using appropriate fault detection techniques. The method is especially effective relative to prior fault detection method when used to detect anomalies or unknown fault states of the system.

Fault detection in a physical system

Health management of machines, such as gas turbine engines and industrial equipment, offers the potential benefits of efficient operations and reduced cost of ownership. Machine health management goes beyond monitoring operating conditions, it assimilates available information and makes the most favorable decisions to maximize the value of the machine. These decisions are usually related to predicted failure modes and their corresponding failure time, recommended corrective actions, repair/maintenance actions, and planning and scheduling options. Hence machine health management provides a number of functions that are interconnected and cooperative to form a comprehensive health management system. While these interconnected functions may have different names (or terminology) in different industries, an effective health management system should include four primary functions: sensory input processing, fault identification, failure/life prediction, planning and scheduling. These four functions form the foundation of the method of ICEMS (Intelligent Condition-based Engine/Equipment Management System). To facilitate information processing and decision making, these four functions may be repartitioned and regrouped, such as for network based computer software designed for health management of sophisticated machinery.

Intelligent condition-based engine/equipment management system

A method for equalizing fluid pressure in a primary fluid flow region, comprised of providing a modulating fluid flow region adjacent to the primary flow region and separating the two regions with a perforated wall. By controlling the fluid pressure in the modulating fluid flow region, and permitting fluid to flow between the perforated wall, the fluid pressure in the primary fluid flow region is equalized. The perforations may be formed either in at least one ring about the perimeter of the plenum or at least one row along the longitudinal direction of the plenum. Furthermore, at least one of the perforations may be canted in either the longitudinal or radial directions. This method is important in equalizing the air pressure in a turbine engine air inlet and thereby avoiding aerodynamic distortions in said inlet. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for equalizing the pressure in a primary fluid flow region.

Engine stall and distortion suppression system

Lifeometer and general operation algorithm of lifeometer. Optimal base reference life expectancy for the system/part being measured is provided. Lifeometer calculates and displays the rate of usage, the life used, or the life remaining. The information displayed is used by operators or users of the part or machine to make maintenance or service decisions. Lifeometer monitors and tracks/records internal operational parameters, environmental or external operational parameters or outside conditions at or near the system/part, and/or operating history of the system/part. If the system/part is at a life level to be serviced or replaced, then the system/part is serviced or replaced, and the lifeometer resets remaining life level and/or used life level to appropriate values. Lifeometer has a system/part monitor, a digital processor with virtual memory, a database in storage, a display system, and an environmental/outside conditions monitor. Lifeometer uses the internal operational parameters, the external operational parameters, and/or the operating history information for determining present rate of usage for a system/part. Lifeometer uses the rate of usage and amount of time operated to calculate present usage, and the lifeometer uses the present usage, the operating history, and the life expectancy information to determine and calculate used life and/or life remaining. Used life and/or life remaining is displayed on a display system (i.e. display or ). Mathematical formula and equations for weighting and factoring in the internal operating parameters, the external operating parameters, and the operating history for determining rate of usage of the system/part are used with the present invention.

Lifeometer for measuring and displaying life systems/parts

A method is provided for equalizing fluid pressure in a primary fluid flow region, comprised of providing a modulating fluid flow region adjacent to the primary flow region and separating the two regions with a perforated wall. By controlling the fluid pressure in the modulating fluid flow region, and permitting fluid to flow between the perforated wall, the fluid pressure in the primary fluid flow region is equalized. The perforations may be formed either in at least one ring about the perimeter of the plenum or at least one row along the longitudinal direction of the plenum. Furthermore, at least one of the perforations may be canted in either the longitudinal or radial directions. This method is important in equalizing the air pressure in a turbine engine air inlet and thereby avoiding aerodynamic distortions in said inlet. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for equalizing the pressure in a primary fluid flow region.

A method is provided for equalizing fluid pressure in a primary fluid flow region, comprised of providing a modulating fluid flow region adjacent to the primary flow region and separating the two regions with a perforated wall. By controlling the fluid pressure in the modulating fluid flow region, and permitting fluid to flow between the perforated wall, the fluid pressure in the primary fluid flow region is equalized. This method is important in equalizing the air pressure in a turbine engine air inlet and thereby avoiding aerodynamic distortions in said inlet. Additionally, an apparatus is provided for equalizing the pressure in a primary fluid flow region.

A fast-acting high-output valve is provided comprised of a valve body covering an opening, a means for applying a force to the center of said valve, and a means for transforming said force to opposite movement at the periphery of said valve body. As the valve body periphery is moved opposite from the opening covered by the valve body, an annular gap is created through which fluid may flow. When the force to the center of the valve body is eliminated, the valve body periphery drops back into place and the valve closes.

Fast acting high output valve

A gas turbine engine comprised of a gas generator in flow series arrangement with a free turbine is provided, that includes a bleed port disposed between the gas generator and the free turbine. The flow of hot gas through the free turbine is controlled by a valve operably disposed in a duct downstream of the bleed port. The gas turbine engine can rapidly change its power output by first bleeding a portion of the hot gas exiting the gas generator overboard, and then increasing or decreasing the amount of bleed flow, thereby producing rapid changes in the free turbine's output.

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Link C Jaw