Performance Model “Zooming” for In-Depth Component Fault Diagnosis

A method giving the possibility for a more detailed gas path component fault diagnosis by exploiting the “zooming” feature of current performance modeling techniques is presented. A diagnostic engine performance model is the main tool that points to the faulty engine component. A diagnostic component model is then used to identify the fault. The method is demonstrated on the case of compressor faults. A 1D model based on the “stage stacking” approach is used to “zoom” into the compressors, supporting a 0D engine model. A first level diagnosis determines the deviation of overall compressor performance parameters while zooming calculations allow a localization of the faulty stages of a multistage compressor. The possibility to derive more detailed information with no additional measurement data is established by the incorporation of empirical knowledge on the type of faults that are usually encountered in practice. Although the approach is based on known individual diagnostic methods, it is demonstrated that the integrated formulation provides not only higher effectiveness but also additional fault identification capabilities.