Study of optimal monitoring point placement for marine power machinery using fault tree theory

Along with the rapid development of science and technology, modern large-scale mechanical equipments are becoming larger, more complicated and expensive and so on. Once the problems of equipments are appeared, it's hard to be solved effectively only by the users' experiences and technical ability. As some exclusive attributes of mechanical system is required higher by broad users. The monitorability-based design of mechanical system as a design attribute is emphasized day by day. Optimal monitoring point placement is the key point of monitorability-based design. It not only determines the level of prediction and fault diagnosis on mechanical system, but also is the key keeping mechanical system efficient, reliable, safe operation. Based on the collection and arrangement of large numbers of fault tree knowledge about marine power machinery from Changjiang Waterway Bureau, a method for optimal monitoring point placement using fault tree theory is put forward. The method is applied in the monitorability-based design of typical marine power machinery. Practice proves that this method is simple, rapid, accurate and easy operation. It can be one important method used in optimal monitoring point placement for monitorability-based design mechanical system.