Kalman Filter based leak localization applied to pneumatic systems

An approach for a leak detection and localization scheme is presented. With respect to developing methods for diagnosis in commercial vehicles, applicability of existing approaches for leak diagnosis in pipelines has been evaluated. A leakage localization strategy using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) in combination with the Method of Characteristics (MOC) is adapted to pneumatic systems and implemented in Matlab/Simulink. To deal with boundary limitations due to possible sections for leak localization along the pipe, a methodical extension based on the idea of virtual pipes is proposed and integrated into the overall method. Verifications, resulting from a simulation model as well as from measurements at a real test bench, are presented. The promising results are discussed and suggestions for possible steps of further development are given.