Power generation unit condition monitor using frequency profile analysis

• US 20060267594A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Energy Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
• Inventors: Thompson, Edward D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,372,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/520
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/42 AC power supplies

Abstract

A power generator unit condition monitoring system can receive a frequency profile generated by a frequency generating component and can transmit the received frequency to a frequency profile analyzer. The frequency profile analyzer analyzes the transmitted frequency profile and compares the profile against a database. The database can stores normal and abnormal frequency profiles.

Claims

1. A power generator unit condition monitoring system, comprising:

a receiver located near a frequency-generating component of a power-generating unit and adapted to generally frequently receive a frequency profile generated by the frequency-generating component, the frequency profile selected from the group consisting of sonic, ultrasonic, infrasonic and combinations thereof;

a transmission mechanism to generally frequently transmit the received frequency profile;

a frequency profile analyzer that receives the transmitted frequency profile, the frequency profile received by the analyzer is compared against a stored frequency profile associated with a type of frequency-generating component; and

an indicia indicating if the comparison is indicative of a cult condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the type of frequency-generating component selected from the group consisting of baffle, blower blade, stator end winding, stator, rotor, rotor bearing and gas seal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is securely mounted inside the power generating unit near the frequency-generating component and is adapted to withstand an environment inside the power generating unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is placed on or near a frame of the power generating unit near the frequency-generating component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is adapted to frequently or continuously receive the frequency profile.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission mechanism transmits the frequency profile frequently or continuously.

8. The analysis device of claim 1, wherein the frequency profile analyzer is located remotely from the power generating unit.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein stored frequency profile is an abnormal frequency profile.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency profile received by the frequency profile analyzer is stored with the associated component identifier.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an alarm.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the stored frequency profile includes an alarm level.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein an alarm action is based on the alarm level.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein an alarm action is based on a fault type.

7. (canceled)

9-14. -14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

27. A method for a frequency profile analysis condition monitor, comprising:

placing a receiver near a frequency-generating component;

receiving by the receiver a frequency profile due to a vibration of the frequency-generating component;

transmitting the received frequency profile to a frequency profile analyzer;

comparing the transmitted frequency profile to a frequency sample; and

activating an alarm if the comparison indicates a fault for the frequency-generating component,

wherein the frequency sample is an abnormal frequency profile.

16. The method of claim 27, wherein the received frequency profile is sent directly or indirectly to the frequency profile analyzer.

17. The method of claim 27, wherein the received frequency profile is sent to the frequency profile analyzer in either an analog or a digital format.

18. The method of claim 27, wherein the transmitted frequency profile and/or frequency sample is mathematically transformed.

20. The method of claim 27, wherein the alarm is selected from the group consisting of a visual alarm, audible alarm, computer signal, and combinations thereof.

28. (canceled)