Development of a knowledge-based control system for a model FN Van de Graaff accelerator: An operator's perspective

In light of the manpower- and monetary restraint situation at the FN Tandem Accelerator facility of McMaster University and the difficulty in acquiring experienced personnel to operate and maintain the machine, an approach to solving this problem has been to firstly construct and operate a computer based knowledge system. This passive expert system directs an experienced or inexperienced person in the operation of the accelerator and helps diagnose many simple problems incurring in day-to-day operation. The system leads the person on a step by step diagnostic journey to the solution of the problem or at least to a reasonable response that will protect personnel and equipment until qualified experts can be contacted. The expert system contains all the required formulae, log readings, safety procedures and operating procedures in either database or knowledge base forms that are used to set the sequential steps in the consultation mode of the diagnostician. As the completion of this system nears, phase two will be initiated with the development of an active expert system where the interfacing of all machine variables will allow direct parameter assignments. At this time, the interface between expert system and operator of the machine will no longer require a human, except in a supervisory capacity. (orig.)