| 摘要 |
<p>Systems and methods for detecting changes, and in particular faults, in a changing environment (12) include constructing a profile is made of the environment using observations made during no fault condition (14). A range of values (14) for one or more 'trusted' variables (14) are identified as values indicative of a no fault condition. Data is also collected (only at times when the trusted variable(s) indicate(s) no fault) for other variables which may be indicative of a fault condition. Statistical profiles (19) are established for each of these other variables. The environment is continuously monitored and the normal profile, as well as the thresholds/ranges, are preferably continuously updated during normal conditions, as indicated by the trusted variable(s). When, during the monitoring of the environment, data for any of the fault detection variables, which may or may not include the trusted variable, exhibit values outside of the normal range, an alert is generated to indicate the possible presence of a fault. Depending on which of these variables exhibits an abnormal value, a diagnosis of the fault may be possible. A method for determining the accuracy of trusted and fault variables is also disclosed.</p> |
