Hierarchical motor diagnosis utilizing structural knowledge and a self-learning neuro-fuzzy scheme

A fault diagnosis system contains a classification system that can distinguish between different faults based on observed symptoms of the process under investigation. Since the fault symptom relationships are not always known beforehand, a system is required which can be learned from experimental or simulated data. A fuzzy-logic-based diagnosis is advantageous. It allows an easy incorporation of a priori known rules and enables the user to understand the inference of the system. In this paper, a new diagnosis scheme is presented and applied to a DC motor. The approach is based on the combination of structural a priori knowledge and measured data in order to create a hierarchical diagnosis system that can be adapted to different motors. Advantages of the system are its transparency and an increased robustness over traditional classification schemes.