Isolating observer for simultaneous structural-actuator fault detection

Purpose Increasing commercial applications for small unmanned aircraft create growing challenges in providing safe flight conditions. The conventional measures to detect icing are either expensive, energy consuming or heavy. The purpose of this paper is to develop a fault identification and isolation scheme using unknown input observers to detect and isolate actuator and structural faults in simultaneous occurrence. Design/methodology/approach The fault detection scheme is based on a deviation in system parameters due to icing and lock-in-place (LIP), two faults from different categories with similar indications that require different reconfiguration actions. The obtained residual signals are selected to be triggered by desired faults, while insensitive to others. Findings The proposed observer is sensitive to both actuator and structural faults, and distinguishes simultaneous occurrences by insensitivity to LIP in selected residue signals. Simulation results confirm the success of the proposed system in the presence of uncertainty and disturbance. Research limitations/implications The fault detection and isolation scheme proposed here is based on the linear model of a winged aircraft, the Aerosonde. Moreover, the faults are applied to rudder and aileron in simulations, but the design procedure for other models is provided. The designed scheme could be further implemented on a non-linear aircraft model. Practical implications Applying the proposed icing detection scheme increases detection system reliability, since fault isolation enables timely reconfiguration schemes. Originality/value The observers proposed in previous papers detected icing fault but were not insensitive to actuator faults.