Qualitative modeling in engineering applications

A framework for qualitative reasoning is discussed that can be applied to a wide variety of engineering tasks such as analysis, design, diagnosis, monitoring, and instruction. A combined component-based and process-theory approach is adopted as the basis for system modeling. This provides a suitable framework for deriving and explaining system behavior in terms of individual component functionality. The current prototype is applied to a space-station waste management system. Examples that deal with the vacuum pump component demonstrate that the methodology can be used to derive both normal and deviant behavior of the system