Haydn Thompson

THHINK

This chapter presents EU–US industrial drivers and societal needs that are relevant for EU–US collaboration activities in the information and communication technology sector. The contents are based on the industry interviews that were performed, complemented by the results of the desk research. The chapter presents the key recommendations from indu...

This brochure presents the research and innovation agenda for the years 2016- 2025 that is proposed by the European Project CPSoS - Towards a European Roadmap on Research and Innovation in Engineering and Management of Cyber-physical Systems of Systems (October 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016). CPSoS has been funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the...

The CPSoS project is developing a roadmap for future research and innovation in cyber-physical systems of systems. This paper presents preliminary findings and proposals that are put forward as a result of broad consultations with experts from industry and academia, and through analysis of the state of the art in cyber-physical systems of systems.

In this paper, a Sampling Interval based Clock Synchronisation (SICS) approach based on IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is proposed for offset correction in wireless closed-loop control systems. In addition, it analyses the stability of the wireless closed-loop system due to the synchronisation mechanism. Finally, the proposed clock synchro...

State-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles are typically able to autonomously execute a preplanned mission. However, unmanned aerial vehicles usually fly in a very dynamic environment that requires dynamic changes to the flight plan; this mission management activity is usually tasked to human supervision. Through the use of a set of theoretical conc...

An intelligent agents based platform is presented which offers an instantaneous, automatic decision-making capability, enabling the execution of complex system level power management and mission planning/re-planning tasks on board a UAV. The agents platform is integrated with a 100 kW, aircraft power systems experimental test facility to demonstrat...

State-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are typically able to autonomously execute a pre-planned mission. However, UAVs usually fly in a very dynamic environment which requires dynamic changes to the flight plan; this mission management activity is usually tasked to human supervision. Within this article, a software system that autonomousl...

Modelling, Optimisation and Decision Support tools are vital in most areas of engineering. As part of the Distributed Aircraft Maintenance Environment (DAME) e-Science project, a virtual “work-bench” has been developed that can aid the engineer in solving engineering design problems. While the problem that motivated the development of these tools w...

During the last decade, Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become increasingly popular in a large variety of application fields, both in the military and civil sectors. As a consequence, significant efforts have been spent on UAV research. The “race” towards increased UAV autonomy captured a considerable part of these efforts. At present, UAVs...

Real time simulations are indispensable for evaluation of new components, control system development, and system integration. There is a trade-off between model fidelity and the computational demands of the model; often lower fidelity models are chosen to speed development and to enable real time testing. FPGA technology offers an advantage over so...

Intelligent Agent technologies constitute an important stream of research in the Artificial Intelligence community. Their characteristics make them suitable for a variety of applications. In this paper, we investigate the use of Intelligent Agent technology in the field of Gas-Turbine Engine Control and Health Management. We present and test a Plan...

Development of distributed control systems requires tools that can deal with high complexity, integration of design information from multiple domains, and analysis support for the overall design covering both technical and commercial performance. Currently, no integrated set of multidisciplinary design tools exist that can do this. The FLEXICON pro...

Fault detection and identification is an active research field in several application areas. There are still many challenges in on-line detection and identification. Over The years several approaches have been pursued based on model-based or knowledge-based techniques, however, these present several practical drawbacks with regards to time consumpt...

For industrial fault diagnostics, many model-based fault diagnosis approaches have been proposed so far and some of them have been put into practice. However, for modern complex processes, owing to the variable nature of faults and model uncertainty, no single method can diagnose all faults and meet different contradictory criteria. In this paper,...

A multi-agent system is demonstrated to be a suitable architecture for solving distributed problems. An agent-based system for distributed fault diagnosis is introduced in this paper. Within the multi-agent framework, the dynamic system is monitored by a group of agents and each agent can make its own detection decisions. To coordinate the low-leve...

The research and development on engine control and monitoring system conducted by Rolls-Royce University Technology Center (UTC) at the University of Sheffield, provided propulsion system experts a means to access and analyze condition monitoring data. UTC has been exploring wireless data gathering using Ethernet and Bluetooth technologies as well...

The developments of high bypass turbofan engines and improvements in high temperature materials have resulted in smaller engine cores. These smaller core engines result in correspondingly lower airflows that introduce their own design problems, including failure to reach idle, stagnation, increased time to reach idle and lack of surge margin. Such...

FDI is an active research field in several areas. In fact, there are still many challenges in on-line detection and identification. Several approaches have been pursued such as model-based or knowledge-based techniques, however, these present several drawbacks like time consumption or the lack of adaptability. Here a proposal to classify faults for...

Aero engines are extremely reliable machines and operational failures are rare. However, currently great effort is being put into reducing the number of in-flight engine shutdowns, aborted take-offs and flight delays through the use of advanced engine health monitoring technology. This represents a benefit to society through reduced delays, reduced...

Over the past 10 years there have been rapid advances in wireless and Internet technologies. In the case of Fieldbuses many years of standardisation effort have failed to produce a single standard. However, the availability of cheap Ethernet-based networking hardware and PC technology driven by the huge office IT market coupled with the explosion o...

Many model-based fault diagnosis approaches have been proposed so far and some of them have been put into industrial practices. But for modern complex processes, due to the variable nature of faults and model uncertainty, no single approach can diagnose all faults and meet different contradictory criteria. In this paper, the importance of integrati...

Model-based methods are commonly used for fault diagnosis. Many model-based fault diagnosis approaches have been proposed so far. But for modern complex processes, due to the variable nature of faults and model uncertainty, no single approach can diagnose all faults and meet different contradictory criteria. In this paper, the importance of integra...

Surge margin tracking logic is developed for use in the control of quick windmill relighting (QWR) at sub-idle. Using existing high pressure compressor (HPC) characteristics (but without any gas turbine engine model), the surge margin can be calculated and used to approximate the air flow which is currently not measured in flight. During the QWR fl...

In this chapter, the identification techniques considered in previous chapters are applied to a real-life power plant. Dynamic models of a turbo prop fan aero engine are identified. Practical issues of closed-loop identifiability are also demonstrated.

In this chapter, the results of data analysis for Rolls-Royce SPEY engine tests are presented. This includes static and dynamic model identification for HP and LP shaft speed. Comparison with previous tests is given.

In this chapter, the Markov modelling techniques developed in Chapter 12 are applied to identification and test bed simulation of a turbo prop fan engine, operating in the real-life random environment. The parameters of controlled Markov chains are identified from on-ground engine test bed data. Basic properties including standard deviations and po...

In previous chapters, different types of mathematical models of aero engines were described along with methods for their creation and estimation. Also, some application areas were considered, which included conventional engine control, controller testing and engine condition monitoring. In this chapter, mathematical models of aero engines are appli...

In this chapter, an introduction to gas turbine engine operation and control is given. The chapter starts by emphasising engine control in general through a brief survey of conventional control strategies. Engines need to attain high levels of overall efficiency. A number of high-level efficiency criteria are introduced and the use of optimisation...

The level of complexity of aero gas turbine engine modelling in terms of dynamic and static accuracy can vary dramatically depending on the model’s intended usage: research, analysis or synthesis of control systems. In this chapter the development of models for off-line use is discussed. Typically these models would be used in simulation exercises...

In this chapter techniques for mathematical modelling of gas turbine engines are presented considering the different stages in the life cycle from design, to demonstration, to commercial control system development, and finally through to in-service use. Through these stages the fidelity of the engine model is refined, as more information becomes av...

This chapter focuses on a closed-loop identification technique for engine dynamic models in the presence of random disturbances.

Previous chapters gave an overview of conventional methods for modelling of gas turbines for control purposes. This chapter provides basics of stochastic modelling using controllable Markov chain techniques. Accounting for stochastic properties is essential for engine modelling at system test facilities, where the real-life environment is simulated...

In general there are two ways of arriving at models of physical processes: Physical principles modelling. Physical knowledge of the process, in the form of first principles, is employed to arrive at a model that will generally consist of a multitude of differential / partial differential / algebraic relations between physical quantities. The constr...

In this chapter several nonlinear model representations are presented along with a general methodology for nonlinear system modelling. Polynomial NARMAX and neural network models are presented in more detail and nonlinear models for the engine are estimated. It is clear that in order to model the global dynamics of the gas turbine a nonlinear model...

In this chapter the engine test facility will now be described, and the signals used during the engine tests will be presented. Single-input, single-output s-domain models of the HP and LP dynamics will be estimated at different shaft speeds using frequency-domain techniques. The estimated models will be cross-validated using other models estimated...

This chapter describes an approach to the problem of dynamic model identification of aero engines using frequency response techniques. A problem with frequency response identification is obtaining an optimal spectral resolution. A visual-analysis-based optimization technique for identification is proposed providing a compromise between the bias and...

In the previous chapter complex thermodynamic modelling was introduced. It was highlighted that the complexity of these models results in a high computational burden. It was then shown how simpler models can be derived from this complex model that represent the key dynamics of the engine suitable for control system development. The chapter ended wi...

In previous chapters, it was shown how linear and nonlinear models of a gas turbine engine could be obtained using identification methods. A priori knowledge of the engine dynamics was used to estimate engine model parameters when the model structure is selected.

Gas turbines play an important role in power generation and aeroengines. An extended survey of methods associated with the control and systems identification in these engines, Dynamic Modelling of Gas Turbines reviews current methods and presents a number of new perspectives. • Describes a total modelling and identification program for various clas...

The emergence of distributed architectures based on smart components and fieldbus networks is promoting changes in proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller design issues. This paper explores how PID control can benefit from smart actuator and fieldbus technologies. Firstly, this paper discusses a smart actuator scheme to improve the effici...

Model-based methods are commonly used for fault diagnosis. But for modern complex processes, the analytical model of the overall process is not usually available. In this paper, a multi-agent framework for distributed fault diagnosis and isolation is proposed. The distributed fault diagnosis and isolation is achieved by a group of cooperative intel...

The design of complex systems such as the Lift Control System for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft poses challenging problems. It is necessary to consider the design of the system from the point of view of many design disciplines to optimise acquisition and operating support costs, weight, maintainability and availability of the system. A d...

Recent advances in smart actuator and fieldbus technologies are promoting changes in fault-tolerant control design issues. In this paper, a smart actuator scheme is implemented based on a low-cost stepper-motor and CAN bus interface. In order to enhance fault-tolerance capability of the control system, the proposed scheme is focused on self-diagnos...

Recent advances in smart actuator and fieldbus technologies are promoting changes in fault-tolerant control design issues. In this paper, a smart actuator scheme is implemented based on a low-cost stepper-motor and CAN bus interface. In order to enhance fault-tolerance capability of the control system, the proposed scheme is focused on self-diagnos...

Recent advances in smart actuator and fieldbus technologies are promoting changes in PID controller design issues. By employing a built-in microprocessor a smart actuator, in general, is capable of self-validation and compensation. In this paper, online retuning of PID controller for a distributed system that contains a smart actuator is explored....

Over the past 10 years the cost of embedding intelligence into sensors and actuators directly has dramatically reduced. This has led to the recent explosion of smart sensors and actuators available from manufacturers. Initially, these have been developed for the process control industries but increasingly applications in aerospace are being found....

The advent of cheap light-weight low-cost processors will result in a revolution in the application of digital processing to on-board aircraft systems. It now possible to utilise parallel processing develop truly distributed avionics architecture with intelligence being assigned locally to actuators and sensors. In this paper the application of mod...

The advent of cheap processing has resulted in the use of parallel processing in a variety of fields. Image processing, signal processing, modelling and forming of radar images, interactive simulation and training, fluid dynamics, shock wave dynamics studies and spacecraft structures have all benefited from this new technology. However, the ability...

Parallel Processing Applications for Jet Engine Control is a volume in the new Advances in Industrial Control series, edited by Professor M.J. Grimble and Dr. M.A. Johnson of the Industrial Control Unit, University of Strathclyde. The book describes the mapping and load balancing of gas turbine engine and controller simulations onto arrays of trans...

The research work presented in this book was inspired by Rolls-Royce’s desire to explore the application and impact which recent and predicted advances in technology will have on gas turbine engines in the year 2000. Many areas are being investigated, from the use of ceramics for turbine blades, to new control strategies based around a simplified f...

Failure management in a safety-critical system poses many challenging problems to a system designer. In this Chapter the concepts of reliability and fault tolerance in real-time systems are introduced. The types of faults which can occur are first discussed and the techniques for handling these faults are described and their relative advantages and...

The revolutionary architecture of the Inmos transputer coupled with the Occam language makes it a powerful building block for parallel processing systems. In this Chapter key advantages of the transputer are highlighted, such as the simple means of communication between processors and the use of on-chip memory to enhance the speed of the processor....

With the increasing recognition that inadequate specifications can have disastrous consequences resulting in vast increases in project development cost or, more seriously in the case of safety-critical systems in terms of human life, industry is now becoming interested in trying to avoid these potential pitfalls. This Chapter introduces the concept...

The Inmos transputer offers one solution to the difficult problem of implementing parallel systems through the use of point-to-point serial communication links. However, parallel systems can also be constructed using shared memory for interprocessor communication. In this Chapter these two radically different approaches to parallel processing are i...

The rigorous performance demands made upon military gas turbine engines present the designer with a highly complex control problem. In order to gain an understanding of the problems involved this Chapter introduces and explains the relevant gas turbine terminology which will be used in subsequent Chapters. It sets out to explain in simple terms how...

This paper discusses the implementation of fault tolerance in parallel processing systems for real-time safety-critical control. The vehicle for this work is the Inmos transputer, a 32-bit processor specifically designed for parallel processing applications. Methods of exploiting the inherent redundancy while at the same time utilizing the parallel...