Fault Signal Detection of Linear Actuators based on Intelligent Remnant Filter

Linear servo electro-mechanical actuators are very commonly found in a variety of critical dynamic systems including various aerospace applications and hazardous robotic applications. These actuators are specifically designed on the basis of required operating functional parameters. The performance of servo electromechanical actuators significantly affects the performance of overall dynamic system. This paper works to improve the reliability of linear servo electromechanical actuators through analytical redundancy for critical applications. A fault diagnostic algorithm is designed based on dynamic mathematical model and a remnant filter is implemented to detect signal errors. The remnant filter generates residual signal proportional to the error induced. Fault detection thresholds are set and decision logic is established to compare residual signal with the lower and upper pre-defined threshold constants. This designed diagnostic filter is tested experimentally on a fault diagnostic testing setup and results of designed model have been validated.