裡橖眻畦

裡橖眻畦 Engineering Professor and Graduate Student Awarded Patent for Fault Detection and Diagnostics System

C. Nataraj, PhD, and Turki Haj Mohamad, PhD, Develop Groundbreaking Software Using Physics and AI to Enhance Fault Detection and Maintenance in Electromechanical Systems

Drosdick Stock

VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 13, 2025) C. Nataraj, PhD, Moritz Endowed professor of engineered systems at 裡橖眻畦 Universitys College of Engineering and director of the , along with Turki Haj Mohamad 21 PhD, has been awarded a patent for the that provides a software-based method for diagnosing the nature and magnitude of faults within dynamic mechanical and electrical systems.

This fault detection technology has the potential to transform the manufacturing and engineering industries, said Amanda Grannas, PhD, Vice Provost, Chief Research Officer, and professor of Chemistry at 裡橖眻畦 University. Dr. Natarajs innovative work is pushing the boundaries of engineering, and were excited to see how this product will drive meaningful change across multiple sectors, including the healthcare, medical device, robotics and manufacturing industries.

The software uses data from already existing sensors to diagnose the nature and magnitude of defects in many different electrical and mechanical systems, as well as in components of these systemsincluding gears, servomechanisms and motors.

As systems get more complicated, the task of diagnostics has become very expensive and complex, said Dr. Nataraj. Our goal was to design a software that eases fault diagnostics detection for any kind of machine by seamlessly running an algorithm in the background while the machine is operating. And our system is highly accuratemaking machinery much safer by providing a higher confidence level than exists currently.

The algorithm applied to Dr. Natarajs software uses a unique combination of physics and artificial intelligence to find and diagnose potential problems in a machine that may cause larger issues over time. Once the software finds a potential defect, maintenance can be scheduled for the equipment. Dr. Natarajs hope is that this condition-based approach to maintenancewhere maintenance is scheduled as problems occurwill save companies time, money and resources when it comes to fixing their machines. Timely detection of a defect also ensures that intervention can take place before a catastrophic failure occurs, preventing destruction to both the machine and the individuals working with them.

The software also uses what Dr. Nataraj refers to as injected diagnostics, during which the fault detection system injects a tiny electric current into the machine it is analyzing to extract information from the system. The extracted information can then help the software diagnose potential defects or problems that need to be addressed.

The fault detection system, which can be applied to virtually any kind of electromechanical manufacturing equipment, including electric motors, aircraft engines, steam turbines, automotive systems and more, achieved between 95-100% accuracy in finding and diagnosing potential defects during trials.

Dr. Nataraj has earned multiple patents, including one for NovaVent, a mechanical ventilator developed as an emergency alternative ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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