Research into a sensor-based diagnostic maintenance expert system for the hydraulics of a continuous mining machine

The US Bureau of Mines is completing development of a diagnostic maintenance system as part of its investigation into using expert system techniques to diagnose and predict hydraulic problems on a continuous mining machine. The Bureau has developed an expert knowledge base to diagnose hydraulic problems on a Joy 16CM continuous mining machine. This diagnostic system is interfaced to machine-based sensors which monitor various hydraulic system parameters, such as pressures, flows, temperatures, fluid level, and ferrous debris present in the oil. The status of these parameters is updated periodically and transmitted via a distributed interface to the diagnostic knowledge base. All diagnostic decisions are made based upon the available sensor information. The testing and evaluation plans for this system on the 16CM are outlined.<
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