Analysis system

• US 20050049801A1
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: S.P.M. Instrument AB
• Original Assignee: S.P.M. Instrument AB
• Inventors: Lindberg, Stefan, Lindberg, Jarl-Ove, Kummelstam, Jim, Hedlund, Hakan
• Application Number:
  US10/893,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20050049801A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/34
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/008 with calibration coefficients stored in memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/003 of rotating machines G01H1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/045 Acoustic or vibration analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/04 Testing internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/12 by monitoring vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/08 Registering or indicating the production of the machine either with or without registering working or idle time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/10 using counting means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password

Abstract

An apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine, comprising: at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine;

• • data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data; said data processing means comprising means for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn); and
  • a logger for registering use of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

Claims

1. An apparatus for analysing-the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, comprising:

at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine;

said measurement data being dependent on rotation of said shaft;

data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data;

said data processing means comprising means for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn); and

a logger for registering use of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

4. The apparatus according-to claim 1, wherein

at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) generates said condition data in response to measurement data indicative of vibration.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one input includes an input adapted to receive shock pulse measurement data;

said adapted input comprising means for treatment of said shock pulse measurement data and delivery of said treated data to said data processing means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) generates said condition data in response to measurement data indicative of temperature.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

said at least one input includes an input adapted to receive measurement data indicative of temperature;

said adapted input comprising means for treatment of said temperature measurement data and delivery of said treated data to said data processing means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one input includes at least one analogue-to-digital converter coupled so as to enable reception of an analogue signal from said sensor and delivery of a corresponding digital signal to said data processing means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) includes one or-more functions selected from the group consisting of:

vibration analysis, temperature analysis, shock pulse measuring, spectrum analysis of shock pulse measurement data, Fast Fourier Transformation of vibration measurement data, graphical presentation of condition data on a user interface, storage of condition data in a writeable information carrier on said machine, storage of condition data in a writeable information carrier in said apparatus, tachometering, imbalance detection, misalignment detection.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication port (16);

wherein

said apparatus is adapted to be capable of delivering data indicative of said registered use on said communication port (16).

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) has an enabled state and a disabled state.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

all or several of said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) have an enabled state and a disabled state such that each of said all or several condition monitoring functions can be individually enabled or disabled.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for comparing said registered use with a first reference value,

means for disabling said data processing means or at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) in response to the outcome of said comparison.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

key reception means adapted to allow further use of said data processing means in response to reception of a first key.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

key reception means adapted to allow further use of a selected one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) in response to reception of a key associated with said selected function.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said key reception means includes a communication port (16); and

said key includes a key word comprising information indicative of an amount of usage to be allowed.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface for allowing an operator to indicate a desire to execute a condition monitoring function (F1, F2,Fn);

means for checking whether the indicated function is disabled or enabled;

means for causing execution of said indicated function when enabled.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

means for causing the data processing means to present information to the effect that the indicated function cannot be executed when the indicated function is disabled.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for allowing an operator to indicate a desire to obtain an increased amount of use of a selected condition monitoring function (F1, F2,Fn);

means for generating a usage request message so that it includes information identifying said selected condition monitoring function (F1, F2,Fn).

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said logger is adapted to store at least two parameters (Use_F₁, Use_F₂);

a first one of said at least two parameters being associated with an amount of use of a first condition monitoring function (F1, F2, Fn), and

a second one of said at least two parameters being associated with an amount of use of a second condition monitoring function (F1, F2, Fn).

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for reading a current value of said registered use;

means for comparing said current value with a second reference value;

means for registering use at a first rate when said current value is above the second reference value; and

means for registering use at a second rate when said current value is below the second reference value.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said data processing means includes a Field Programmable Gate Array circuit.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1, having:

an apparatus body; and

a display provided on, at or in, said apparatus body.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said display has a display area of at least 4125 mm².

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said apparatus body has a body volume of less than 1006 250 mm².

26. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said display has a display area of at least 4800 mm².

27. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said apparatus body has a body volume of less than 800 000 mm².

28. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said apparat us body is portable; and

said apparatus body is shaped and adapted to enable a one-hand grip;

said apparatus body including user interaction means adapted to enable user interaction by means of said one hand.

29. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said apparatus body is houses readable and writeable memory means having a storage capacity exceeding 8 megabits.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein:

said storage capacity exceeds 240 megabits.

31. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein:

said apparatus body houses at least two data processing devices;

one of said data processing devices being a Field Programmable Gate Array.

32. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said registered use is a parameter indicative of a number of executions of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

33. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said registered use is a parameter indicative of an extent of time.

34. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

at least some of said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) is at least partly embodied by computer program code.

2. An apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, comprising:

at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine;

said measurement data being dependent on rotation of said shaft;

data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data;

said data processing means comprising means for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a logger for registering use of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

35. An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a machine, comprising:

at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine;

data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data;

said data processing means comprising means for performing at least two condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn);

at least one of said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) having a locked state and an unlocked state;

said locked state prohibiting complete execution of said condition monitoring function; and

said unlocked state allowing execution;

means for changing the state of a selected condition monitoring function (F1, F2,Fn) between the locked state and the unlocked state.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising:

key reception means adapted to allow use of a selected one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) in response to reception of a key associated with said selected function;

a logger for registering use of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn).

means for comparing said registered use with a first reference value,

means for disabling said data processing means or at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) in response to the outcome of said comparison.

37. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein

said data processing means comprises means for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn);

all or several of said plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn) having a locked state and an unlocked state such that each of said all or several condition monitoring functions can be individually locked or unlocked.

38. The apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising an apparatus body that houses readable and writeable memory means having a storage capacity exceeding 8 megabits.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said storage capacity exceeds 240 megabits.

40. The apparatus according to 38, wherein:

said apparatus body houses at least two data processing devices;

one of said data processing devices being a Field Programmable Gate Array.

41. A method of operating a system for analysing the condition of a machine, the system comprising a supplier part and a client part;

said client part having;

a sensor for obtaining measurement data when said sensor is applied at a measuring point on the machine; and

an evaluator for generating condition data dependent on said measurement data;

the method comprising the step of;

controlling said evaluator so as to disable at least a part of said evaluator after an amount of use.

42. The method according to claim 41 further comprising the step of:

measuring or detecting use of said evaluator; and

wherein

said disabling is performed in response to said measured or detected use when said measured or detected use is indicative of a certain amount of use of said evaluator.

43. The method according to claim 41 wherein:

said disabling can be avoided by the reception, at said client part, of a first key.

44. The method according to claim 41, comprising the steps of:

enabling at least a part of said evaluator in response to a first key.

45. The method according to claim 43, comprising the steps of:

delivering said first key from said supplier part.

46. The method according to claim 43, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at said supplier part, a request for an amount of use for said evaluator;

said request including information indicative of an identity of said evaluator;

generating, at said supplier part, said first key in dependence on said identity information; and

delivering said first key from said supplier part after a clearance of said request;

enabling further use of said evaluator in response to reception, at said client part, of said first key.

47. An apparatus for analysing the condition of a machine, comprising:

at least one input for receiving measurement data from a sensor for surveying a measuring point of the machine;

data processing means for processing condition data dependent on said measurement data;

said data processing means comprising means for performing a plurality of condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn);

a memory having an account value;

a logger for registering use of at least one of said condition monitoring functions (F1, F2,Fn);

means for comparing said registered use with said account value;

wherein

said apparatus is adapted to disable at least one of said functions in response to a predetermined outcome of said comparison.