Woodward, Inc.
Predicting electromechanical actuator health and remaining life

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and apparatus for predicting electromechanical actuator health and remaining life include a method storing a reliability model coupled to a controlled actuator system comprising a motive force system coupled to a driven mechanical system. The motive force system is associated with motive force parameters. The driven mechanical system is associated with driven mechanical parameters. The reliability model represents a probability of failure of the controlled actuator system over time based on motive force parameters and driven mechanical parameters. Operational parameters of the controlled actuator system, received over time from a sensor system coupled to the controlled actuator system, include one of the motive force parameters or driven mechanical parameters. The operational parameters represent a degradation of the controlled actuator system over time. The reliability model is updated to represent a revised probability of failure. A state of the controlled actuator system is determined using the updated reliability model.