Patent ID: 7505844

Claim:
A method of estimating performance for a plurality of engine components of a gas turbine engine, the engine components having a plurality of sensors responsive to the engine component operation, the method comprising: generating virtual sensor values and quality parameters with an engine model, the virtual sensor values corresponding to values from a plurality of sensors of the plurality of engine components; comparing the virtual sensor values to actual sensor values provided by the plurality of sensors to calculate a difference between the actual and virtual sensor values; amplifying the difference by a predetermined gain; generating a plurality of quality parameter deltas in response to the difference; iteratively updating the engine model by inputting a predetermined portion of the generated plurality of quality parameter deltas into the engine model; adjusting the embedded engine model for engine operating conditions; determining any one of forecasting engine component useful life, the scope of a maintenance overhaul, and detecting and isolating component damage or faults; and repeating the steps of generating virtual sensor values, comparing the virtual sensor values, amplifying the difference, generating a plurality of quality parameter deltas and updating the embedded model.