HealthMAP - A Model-Based Framework for On-Line Prognostics and Health Management (PHM)

Abstract

General Atomics is developing a generic model -based framework based on a PHM design methodology, the basic steps of which are summarized as follows: assessing the results from design analysis; defining the system and its components (assets); performing a functional analysis and associated FMEA; determining the consequences of failure; identifying the associated event propagation and requirements for event detection; considering requirements for usage monitoring; gathering of conditional probability distributions and statistical likelihoods of failure; and specifying all appropriate corrective actions. HealthMAP™ (Health Management, Assessment, and Prognostics) is a software platform being developed by General Atomics to provide a set of tools for rapid development and deployment of model-based applications that deliver the requirements of a PHM application. As described in this paper, HealthMAP™ includes the capabilities for defining generic classes of system components, instantiating them graphically, and establishing relationships between components to model system structure (e.g., containment, connections, ports, etc.), functional constraints (e.g., abstract relations such as supplying -power-to, supplying-flow-to, etc.). Such models can be used to generate expected system behavior, which when compared to observed sensor values, allows the application to detect anomalous events while taking into account the system state and operating context. HealthMAP™ also graphically captures generic formulations of FMEA that can be used to perform real -time root cause analysis and impact prediction in response to detected anomalies. This paper describes how the underlying HealthMAP™ software platform can lower the cost, reduce the time to deliver, and increase the quality of next generation PHM systems.