Fuzzy logic for fault diagnosis

Advanced real-time digital controls for complex plants or processes will use a model (an " Observer" ) which predicts the values for sensor readings expected from the actual plant these vote as alternate " sensors" if the real ones fail. We are exploring further use of the Observer for real-time embedded diagnostics based on high speed fuzzy logic chips just becoming available. We have established a Fuzzy Inferencing Test Bed for fuzzy logic applications. It uses a set of development tools which allow applications to be built and tested against simulated systems and then ported directly to a high speed fuzzy logic chip. With the Fuzzy Inferencing Test we investigate very high speed fuzzy logic to: isolate faults using static information and early fault information that evolves rapidly in time validate and smooth readings from redundant sensors and smoothly select alternate control modes in intelligent controllers. This paper reports our experience with fuzzy logic in these kinds of applications.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.