A real time microcomputer implementation of sensor failure detection for turbofan engines

An algorithm that detects, isolates, and accommodates sensor failures using analytical redundancy has been developed. The performance of this algorithm has been demonstrated on a full-scale F100 turbofan engine. The algorithm has been implemented in real time on a microprocessor-based controls computer which includes parallel processing and high level language programming. Parallel processing was used to achieve the required computational power for the real-time implementation. High level language programming was used in order to reduce the programming and maintenance costs of the algorithm implementation software. The sensor failure algorithm was combined with an existing multivariable control algorithm to give a complete control implementation with sensor analytical redundancy. The real-time microprocessor implementation of the algorithm, which resulted in the successful completion of the algorithm engine demonstration, is described.<>