Autonomous Damage Controls of Submarine HM&E Systems

Achieving reduced manning and lower O&M cost for the Virginia class submarine depends upon successful automation of labor intensive functions. Previous attempts have not produced the desired reduction because potential manning reductions achieved throughautomation were negated by battle damage control manning needs. Successful manning reduction requires automation of previously manual damage control functions and is achievable through autonomous distributed HM&E operational controls.Foster-Miller has developed a component-level distributed control system (CLIDICS) for the control of shipboard electrical power grids (under Navy Project N00014- 98-C-0229). The system model developed identifies system faults by a reasoning process thatdetects abnormal operation and determines the root cause. It also reacts faster than humans and identifies the optimum work-around reconfiguration. Applying the underlying design process, component level specifications can be developed for any of the HM&Esystems for autonomous battle damage detection and system reconfiguration as well as performing normal system function verification.The Trim and Drain System was selected for the proposed development of damage detection and reconfiguration algorithms, and selection of suitable COTS hardware for the shipboard system. The CLIDICS based autonomous control system design specification willhave sufficient detail to allow building a prototype system in Phase II. (P-030192) American industry's need to improve productivity and reduce the labor content of products has been dictated by the pressures of global competition. Although process automation has made progress, it has been ultimately limited by the realities of processmachinery faults and required maintenance manning. The lack of reliable early machinery fault detection, prognosis and good autonomous process reconfiguration has reduced the effectiveness of process automation in much the same way that the battle damagemanning issue has affected the Navy's attempts to reduce manning. The success of this current project can have a very positive effect on American industry's success in meeting the current and future challenges of global competition. The dual use technologyinsertion from this project will provide industry with the technology and design process needed to enhance the economic performance of previously introduced process automation.In addition, component-level control functions and devices developed under this project could be used in applications where short reaction time and high survivability are required such as commercial ship HM&E systems, passenger aircraft, and nuclear powerplants.