Method and apparatus for estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter on the basis of three or more redundant signals
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter, where at least three redundant signals are input to the apparatus, each input signal is indicative of a sensed magnitude of the parameter, the apparatus comprising:
- a differencer providing in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the sensed magnitudes;
an evaluator for computing in response to said at least three difference signals, a plurality of evaluation signals; and
a synthesizer for generating in response to said evaluation signals, an estimate signal indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the physical parameter,wherein said estimate signal has a magnitude indicative of a summation of the product of the magnitude indicated by each redundant input signal and an associated proportionality factor, wherein each proportionality factor has a value equal to one of a plurality of possible values for that proportionality factor, the value of each proportionality factor depending upon said magnitudes of said difference signals.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes at least three redundant signals each indicative of a sensed magnitude of a parameter. Parity space and fuzzy logic techniques may be used to provide a signal representing an estimate of the actual magnitude of the parameter. A method for generating an estimate of an actual magnitude of a parameter provides at least three redundant signals may use parity space and fuzzy logic to produce a signal representing an estimate of the actual magnitude of the parameter.
50 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter, where at least three redundant signals are input to the apparatus, each input signal is indicative of a sensed magnitude of the parameter, the apparatus comprising:
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a differencer providing in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the sensed magnitudes; an evaluator for computing in response to said at least three difference signals, a plurality of evaluation signals; and a synthesizer for generating in response to said evaluation signals, an estimate signal indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the physical parameter, wherein said estimate signal has a magnitude indicative of a summation of the product of the magnitude indicated by each redundant input signal and an associated proportionality factor, wherein each proportionality factor has a value equal to one of a plurality of possible values for that proportionality factor, the value of each proportionality factor depending upon said magnitudes of said difference signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for use in estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter, where at least three redundant signals are input to the apparatus, each input signal is indicative of a sensed magnitude of the parameter, the apparatus comprising:
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a differencer providing in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the sensed magnitudes; an evaluator for computing a plurality of evaluation signals in response to an input of said at least three difference signals and the at least three redundant input signals, wherein said evaluation provides said evaluation signals that are representative of fuzzy logic signals; and a synthesizer for generating in response to said evaluation signals, an estimate signal indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the physical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for use in estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter, using at least three redundant input signals, each input signal is indicative of a sensed magnitude of the parameter, the method comprising:
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providing in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the sensed magnitudes; computing in response to said at least three difference signals, a plurality of evaluation signals; and generating in response to said evaluation signals, an estimate signal indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the physical parameter, wherein said estimate signal has a magnitude indicative of a summation of the product of the magnitude indicated by each redundant input signal and an associated proportionality factor, wherein each proportionality factor has a value equal to one of a plurality of possible values for that proportionality factor, the value of each proportionality factor depending upon said magnitudes of said difference signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for use in estimating an actual magnitude of a physical parameter at least three redundant input signals, each input signal is indicative of a sensed magnitude of the parameter, the method comprising:
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providing in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the sensed magnitudes;
computing a plurality of evaluation signals using said at least three difference signals and the at least three redundant input signals,wherein said computing step comprises a fuzzifying step for providing said evaluation signals as representative of fuzzy logic signals; and generating in response to said evaluation signals, an estimate signal indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the physical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An engine control system for use in operating a gas turbine engine, said system comprising:
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a sensor array of at least three sensors for providing at least three redundant input signals corresponding to the value of an engine parameter; and estimator apparatus having means for providing, in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the respective sensor signal values; means for computing a plurality of evaluation signals in response to said at least three difference signals; and means for generating an estimate signal in response to said evaluation signals indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the parameter, wherein said estimate signal has a magnitude indicative of a summation of the product of the magnitude indicated by each redundant input signal and an associated proportionality factor, wherein each proportionality factor has a value equal to one of a plurality of possible values for that proportionality factor, the value of each proportionality factor depending upon said magnitudes of said difference signals. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36)
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30. An engine control system for use in operating a gas turbine engine, said system comprising:
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a sensor array of at least three sensors for providing at least three redundant input signals corresponding to the value of an engine parameter; and estimator apparatus having means for providing, in response to the at least three redundant input signals at least three difference signals indicative of the relative differences between the respective sensor signal values; means for computing a plurality of evaluation signals in response to an input of said at least three difference signals and the at least three redundant input signals, wherein said means for computing fuzzifies said evaluation signals as representative of fuzzy logic signals; and means for generating an estimate signal in response to said evaluation signals indicative of an estimate of the actual magnitude of the parameter. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification