United Technologies Corporation

Peter J Urbanik

Wayne R Spock

Redundant sensed position feedback signal samples of an actuator which are provided in each sample period, a synthesized feedback position signal value provided from an actuator algorithm model. The sensed samples are rejected for use in the sample period if the difference magnitude between the sample value and the synthesized value exceeds an accepted magnitude. The number of sample periods in which a sample is rejected is recorded, and if the number is sufficiently high the sensed feedback signal is rejected from further use and the associated position sensor is recorded as failed. If both sensed samples are rejected in the same period a diagnostic routine determines if the fault is in the sensors or the actuator.

Control system actuator position synthesis for failure detection

An optical position sensor for monitoring displacements of a movable body is disclosed. The sensor includes a light source transmitter, a light sensing receiver, a digital switching device, and a special encoder plate attached to a movable body. The encoder plate has rows of apertures which are constructed to modulate the light signal transmitted between the transmitter and receiver as a function of plate position to provide a symmetrical digital output signal when the switching device is triggered at a preset practical minimum threshhold level. Fiber optics are particularly suitable for use in constructing such an optical position sensor.

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Wethersfield, CT, United States of America

Peter J Urbanik