Quantum Machine Learning for Rotating Machinery Prognostics and Health Management

The study conducted by the prognostics and health management (PHM) entity inquires into the prediction of machine behavior to aid in decision-making through failure modes classification via diagnostics and estimation. This is primarily performed as a classification of the state of rotating machines using diversified The methodologies of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) have garnered significant attention in contemporary research. In recent times, Quantum Computing (QC) has surfaced as a novel domain of inquiry. With applications in various fields such as optimization, artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, and the energy sector. Despite hardware limitations, QC is considered an approach to accelerate models and enhance computational power. This paper presents a QML approach for detecting defects in rolling element bearings of rotating machinery using vibration signals. The method employs a hybrid model: a classical neural network to represent a class of parameterized quantum circuits (PQCs), specifically the multi-layer perceptron (MLP). Under different configurations of the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) system, various types of spin gates and unique two-qubit gates such as CNOT, CZ, and ISWAP are implemented in each PQC configuration. The performance of these PQC configurations is evaluated using two databases of varying complexities: JNU with a failure mode of 10, and CWRRU with a failure mode of 12. Performance results show that all QML models outperform the classical MLP for the two databases considered. This indicates the promising potential of QML models in the field of PHM, despite the current fragile quantum environments.