Techniques and Prognostic Models to Relate Useful Life Remaining" and "Performance Life Remaining" Predictions to Detectable Fault Conditions in Flig"

The firm proposes to conduct a program of research on the design and validation of prognostic models for flight control actuators. Specifically, the research will focus on developing models that can predict the fault-to-failure progression process andestimate the remaining useful life of flight control actuators. In Phase I, the firm will conduct a feasibility study to prove the concept of the proposed technology. In Phase I Option, the firm will conduct a hardware-in-the-loop simulation of the conceptto further assess the feasibility. If Phase I objectives are met, the firm will develop a prototype of the prognostic capability and test it in actual operating environment. The anticipated benefits of the proposed technology are:¿More accurate prediction of incipient failures and useful service life of systems.¿Increased availability and mission effectiveness from more accurate prognosis of failures.¿Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) through optimized maintenance/logistic decisions.