Real-Time Health Monitoring and Diagnostics for Gas Turbine Engines

Integrated life, vibration and performance monitoring/diagnostics capable of detecting and classifying developing engine faults is critical to reducing engine operating and maintenance costs while optimizing the life of “hot section” engine components (Troudet and Merrill, 1990). Advanced fault pattern recognition and classification techniques utilizing complex finite-element and empirical models of structural and performance related engine areas can now be accessed in a real-time monitoring environment (Dietz et al., 1989). Integration and implementation of these proven technologies presents a great opportunity to significantly enhance current engine health diagnostic capabilities and safely extend engine component life (Ali and Crawford, 1988).