System and method for turbine engine fault detection using discrete event system modeling

A method of detecting faults in a turbine engine, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving sensor data from the turbine engine, wherein the sensor data comprises engine speed at peak exhaust gas temperature, exhaust gas temperature at peak exhaust gas temperature, and time to engine start;
• b) analyzing the sensor data to determine if specified events have occurred by comparing the engine speed at peak exhaust gas temperature to a first value to determine engine speed deviation from the first value, comparing the exhaust gas temperature at peak exhaust gas temperature to a second value to determine engine temperature deviation from the second value, and comparing the time to engine start to a third value to determine engine start time deviation from the third value;
• c) generating current event indicators responsive to the occurrence of the specified events by generating an engine speed event indicator responsive to the engine speed deviation exceeding a first threshold, generating an engine temperature event indicator responsive to the engine temperature deviation exceeding a second threshold, and generating a start time event indicator responsive to the engine start time deviation exceeding a third threshold;
• d) receiving past event indicators from a previous analysis cycle of the turbine engine;
• and
• e) analyzing timing and sequencing of the current event indicators and past event indicators to determine a likelihood of fault in the turbine engine.

A program product comprising:

• a) a fault detection program for detecting fault in a turbine engine, the program including:
• an event determination program module, the event determination program module adapted to:
• (i) receive sensor data from the turbine engine, wherein the sensor data comprises engine speed at peak exhaust gas temperature, exhaust gas temperature at peak exhaust gas temperature, and time to engine start;
• (ii) analyze the sensor data to determine if specified events have occurred by comparing the engine speed at peak exhaust gas temperature to a first value to determine engine speed deviation from the first value, comparing the exhaust gas temperature at peak exhaust gas temperature to a second value to determine engine temperature deviation from the second value, and comparing the time to engine start to a third value to determine engine start time deviation from the third value;
• and
• (iii) generate current event indicators responsive to the occurrence of the specified events by generating an engine speed event indicator responsive to the engine speed deviation exceeding a first threshold, generating an engine temperature event indicator responsive to the engine temperature deviation exceeding a second threshold, and generating a start time event indicator responsive to the engine start time deviation exceeding a third threshold;
• and
• a discrete event system model program module, the discrete event system model program module adapted to (i) receive the current event indicators, (ii) receive past event indicators, and (iii) analyze timing and sequencing of the current event indicators and past event indicators to determine a likelihood of fault in the turbine engine;
• and
• b) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing said program.