FRONTIER TECHNOLOGY INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: Frontier Technology, Inc. (FTI) supported by the Moog Aerospace Group will deve

Description

ABSTRACT: Frontier Technology, Inc. (FTI) supported by the Moog Aerospace Group will develop and demonstrate PHM technology that will perform real-time prediction of faults, failures, and anomalies in Electro-Mechanical Actuators. The FTI solution is based on anomaly detection technology that has successfully identified seeded faults in flight-configured EMAs using alternate configurations of sensors and data sources. FTI will use data received in real-time from nominal and faulty EMAs in a laboratory environment to demonstrate accurate and timely detection, diagnosis and impact analysis of faults, failures, and anomalies while minimizing false alarms. The architecture is modular and extensible so that it can be embedded in the EMA or mission control computer or within a ground sustainment system. This architecture enables the technology to be used in a wide set of actuators, control systems and mission/operational profiles with minimal changes. The demonstration uses hardware in the loop to show the satisfaction of the Phase I objectives for real time analysis of flight EMAs and provides a low risk transition to the Phase II requirement for a demonstrable system in a realistic operational environment. This Phase I effort extends FTI"s development of anomaly detection, fault isolation and predictive analysis for electronics and electro-mechanical systems. BENEFIT: The innovation resulting from this research will have direct impact on any enterprise that is dependent on and needs to improve the operation of EMAs. Implementation of new maintenance strategies such as CBM requires the ability to determine the condition of the EMA, predict degrading or failing conditions and determine RUL. The technology will provide the ability to incorporate diagnostic and fault predictions into actuation systems to improve safety, maintainability, and serviceability while reducing cost. Because the system uses existing system data to provide the models used for analysis of system states and RUL it is easily extended to variety of EMAs and applications. The ultimate result is optimum use of the EMA while minimizing unplanned failures and reducing impact on mission or business success. FTI has identified the following areas as being immediate application targets for this technology: fixed-wing aircraft (military and commercial), rotorcraft, unmanned systems, and ground vehicles.