Using immunology principles for fault detection

The immune system is a cognitive system of complexity comparable to the brain and its computational algorithms suggest new solutions to engineering problems or new ways of looking at these problems. Using immunological principles, a two(or three-) module algorithm is developed which is capable of launching a specific response to an anomalous situation for diagnostic purposes. Experimental results concerning fault detection in an induction motor are presented as an example illustrating how the immune-based system operates, discussing its capabilities, drawbacks, and future developments.