Automated Contingency and Life Management for Integrated Power and Propulsion Systems

Impact Technologies, LLC has developed a prototype Automated Contingency and Life Management (ACLM) System for aircraft propulsion systems. Using a combination of on-board diagnostic and control modules, the ACLM system implements real-time and near real-time strategies to detect critical and life limiting engine faults and take appropriate control actions to ensure optimal performance. The modular hierarchical ACLM architecture is populated with Prognostics and Health Monitoring (PHM), and Adaptive Intelligent Control (AIC) algorithms. The PHM algorithms include Statistical Fault Pattern Recognition, Probabilistic Neural Network and Model-Based modules. These algorithms work in parallel and their outcomes are fused to provide a comprehensive fault diagnosis with an associated level of confidence. The AIC consists of a hierarchical framework for the implementation of the control strategy. The strategy incorporates varying control modes, such as life extending, performance and safe/abort/contingency management. This ACLM system has been demonstrated on an Air Force Research Laboratory generic two-spool turbofan engine computer simulation model.