Real time failure detection algorithm for the Space Shuttle main engine

Author

Panossian, H.V. ; Ewing, W.D.

Author_Institution

Rocketdyne Div., Boeing North American, Canoga Park, CA, USA

Volume

17

Issue

4

fYear

1997

fDate

8/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

16

Lastpage

23

Abstract

A real-time fault detection algorithm for the Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) is presented in this article. The system for anomaly and failure detection (SAFD) has been successfully tested on the NASA Technology Test Bed (TTB)engine at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. It is currently being tested on the NASA Stennis test stand A-1, and has already proved its capability by detecting a failure earlier than a plume observer, while the redline system did not even detect the fault. It detects failures during steady-state and power throttling engine operation by monitoring 24 engine parameters in a real-time manner. The signal averages are compared with upper and lower safety limits, and if a multiple of sensor outputs violate the limits then a fault is flagged

Keywords

aerospace engines; aerospace simulation; digital simulation; fault diagnosis; real-time systems; space vehicles; Marshall Space Flight Center; NASA Stennis test stand; NASA Technology Test Bed engine; Space Shuttle main engine; real time failure detection algorithm; safety limits; system for anomaly and failure detection; Condition monitoring; Detection algorithms; Engines; Fault detection; NASA; Safety; Space shuttles; Space technology; Steady-state; System testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Control Systems, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1066-033X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/37.608337

Filename

608337