A Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test for Adaptive Gas Turbine Performance Monitoring

Kalman filters are widely used in the turbine engine community for health monitoring purposes. This algorithm has proven its capability to track gradual deterioration with good accuracy. On the other hand, its response to rapid deterioration is a long delay in recognizing the fault and/or a spread of the estimated fault on several components. The main reason for this deficiency lies in the transition model of the parameters that is blended in the Kalman filter and assumes a smooth evolution of the engine condition. This contribution reports the development of an adaptive diagnosis tool that combines a Kalman filter and a secondary system that monitors the residuals. This auxiliary component implements a generalized likelihood ratio test in order to detect and estimate an abrupt fault. The enhancement in terms of accuracy and reactivity brought by this adaptive Kalman filter is highlighted for a variety of simulated fault cases that may be encountered on a commercial aircraft engine.