Integration of an expert system and experimental facility for advanced anti-G protection of jet fighter pilots

grantor: University of TorontoOne of the adverse effects of Gz acceleration is G-induced Loss of Consciousness (G-LOC). The current protection scheme includes a pressure mask that supplies the pilot with nominal Positive Pressure Breathing (PPB) and a nominal pressurized G-suit to maintain pilot's head-level blood pressure above a critical threshold. Contrary to the current protection scheme, which only relies on momentary Gz acceleration to generate a nominal protection profile for all pilots, an Expert System is implemented to incorporate individuals' physiological indices such as age, weight, height, physical conditioning, and nominal blood pressure to determine individuals' Gz tolerance. According to individuals' Gz tolerance, deviation from the nominal protection profile is then computed to generate a personal pressure profile. In addition, Anti-G Protection Expert System (AGPES) also takes into account Gz history and onset rate to generate a better non-linear G-suit and PPB protection profiles. In this dissertation, an experimental facility is integrated to simulate low-level Push-Pull maneuvers and an AGPES is implemented to generate the pressure profiles. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)M.A.Sc