Expert system major components

Besides these three major components, many expert systems also comprise an explanation subsystem and a knowledge acquisition subsystem,... 

There are three major components to an expert system ... 

The second essential component to the statistically based data interpretation philosophy centres on the maintenance of the expert system knowledge base. Oil analysis expert systems, like any human engineering endeavour, are bound to have complex features and require some means for effective analysis and update. In the case of oil analysis expert systems, equipment operation and maintenance have a major impact on data variability and thus a major impact on data analysis complexity and reliability. 

The reliability of data communication elements is an important constituent part on the quality of transferred information (IQ). It may be stated that IQ consists of accessibility, actual value, completeness, credibility, flexibility, form, meaning over time, relevance, reliability, selectivity, validity (Olaisen 1990, MITIQ). All the above components of IQ tend to be encumbered by some uncertainty. Whether associated with measurement or caused by the unreliability of equipment or software. Hence, the proposal to determine IQ using uncertainty modelling. There are several major methods of uncertainty modelling. The best known are Bayes networks based on conditional probability, the theory mathematical evidence based on the Dempster-Shafer theory, the method making use of the Certainty Factor (Clf) created by Buchanan, Shortliffe for the MYCIN expert system, the theory of fuzzy sets or the theory of rough sets. 

The overall expert system is made up of two major components. One component is a knowledge base consisting of a set of evaluation rules implemented using an expert system shell called EXSYS [2], presently being restructured for implementation in a more sophisticated expert system shell called GURU [5]. The second component is a set of programs implemented in PASCAL to overcome many of the limitations inherited in an expert system shell. This includes a customized user interface, incorporation of several types of data... 

In the following discussion we do not intend to show the reader how to design a cathodic protection system from scratch. We will show some of the major processes that a qualified and experienced corrosion expert will go through in designing a system, showing how decisions are arrived at concerning the components and the system performance. Design should always be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced expert. 

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