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Machine failure isolation in multiple machine configurations using qualitative physics

  • US 5,537,644 A
  • Filed: 04/26/1994
  • Issued: 07/16/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of using a processor to determine the presence of particular faults in a machine, comprising the steps of:

  • the processor repeatedly prompting a user to perform one of a plurality of machine test procedures and provide results thereof to the processor;

    the processor prompting the user to cause a machine configuration change that renders invalid at least one of said results;

    the processor generating a plurality of pending hypotheses having associated therewith a set of confluences using variables and equations to describe operation of components of the machine which are assumed not to have failed, each hypothesis being based on a model of the machine that assumes failure of a unique subset of machine components;

    the processor propagating values indicative of said test results through said confluences to produce a set of predictions for values of confluence variables;

    the processor discarding hypotheses which produce an inconsistent set of predictions;

    the processor saving hypotheses which produce a consistent set of predictions in which no variable is determined to equal two or more conflicting values; and

    the processor indicating the presence of one or more particular machine faults in response to there remaining a single hypothesis corresponding to failure of one or more particular machine components.

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