Device, Method and Measurement and Sender Unit for Performing a Measurement on a Rotating Part of Rotating Machinery

• US 20070293152A1
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Rosen, Mikael, Toennesen, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/31 for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/02 Gearings; Transmission mechanisms

Abstract

A device and a method for performing a measurement on a rotating part (11) of rotating machinery includes a measurement device (1), which is mounted at the rotating part (11), for measuring at least one parameter of the rotating part (11), a sender (2) for receiving measuring data from the measurement means (1) and including at least one radio frequency module (22), particularly a Bluetooth® module, for the wireless transmission (8) of data based on the received measuring data, a receiver (5) including a radio frequency module, particularly a Bluetooth® module, for receiving the data transmitted from the sender (2), and a processing unit (4) connected to the receiver (5) and provided for processing measuring data contained in data received from the receiver (5). The device can be applied for particularly long term online monitoring of rotating machinery like steam turbines, gas turbines, or generators.

Claims

1. A device for performing a measurement on a rotating part of rotating machinery, comprising:

a measurement device, mounted at the rotating part, configured and arranged to measure at least one parameter of the rotating part;

a sender configured and arranged to receive measuring data from the measurement device and comprising at least one radio frequency module configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit data based on the received measuring data;

a receiver comprising a radio frequency module configured and arranged to receive the data transmitted from the sender; and

a processing unit connected to the receiver and configured and arranged to process measuring data contained in data received from the receiver.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is additionally configured and arranged to control measurement by sending control data to the sender.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy source configured and arranged to supply energy to the sender.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the energy source comprises:

an induction power unit outside the rotating part;

an induction coil mounted around the rotating part; and

a corresponding energy pick-up coil mounted at the rotating part.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the energy source comprises a battery in the sender means.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sender is configured and arranged to be functional in a harsh environment of rotating machinery at rotational forces up to about 10,000 g.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sender is configured and arranged to be functional at temperatures up to about 125°

C.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sender is mounted at the rotating part and comprises a Multi Chip Module.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sender comprises:

a front end unit configured and arranged to preprocess measuring data received from the measurement device;

an A/D converter configured and arranged to digitize the preprocessed measuring data;

a digital signal processor configured and arranged to process the digitized and preprocessed measuring data;

a radio frequency module, connected to the digital signal processor and configured and arranged to transmit data received from the digital signal processor;

an energy source configured and arranged to supply energy to the sender; and

an energy supply unit connected to the energy source.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the front end unit comprises a switched gauge excitation device to minimize disturbances in the measuring data.

15. A wireless straingauge shaft alignment apparatus for usage on rotating machinery, the apparatus comprising:

at least two shaft sections and at least one shaft coupling, wherein two of the at least two shaft sections are coupled by a shaft coupling of the at least one shaft coupling;

bearings pivotally receiving each shaft section;

at least one strain gauge at each of both sides of a shaft coupling, configured and arranged to measure strain on the shaft surface;

a processing unit configured and arranged to process measuring data received from the at least one strain gauge, and adapted to calculate bending moments of a shaft coupling and bearing movements required for minimizing the residual moment in the center of a shaft coupling; and

at least one device according to claim 1 for the measurement of coupling strain and bearing load, wherein the measurement device comprises the at least one strain gauge, and the receiver is also configured and arranged to send the measurement data to the processing unit.

11. A measurement and sender unit for performing a measurement on a rotating part of rotating machinery, the unit comprising:

a measurement device, adapted to be mounted at the rotating part, configured and arranged to measure at least one parameter of the rotating part; and

a sender, adapted to be mounted at the rotating part, configured and arranged to receive measuring data from the measurement device and comprising at least one radio frequency module configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit data based on the received measuring data.

12. The measurement and sender unit of claim 11, comprising a Multi Chip Module comprising the measurement device and the sender.

13. The measurement and sender unit of claim 11, wherein the measurement device comprises a switched gauge excitation device to minimize disturbances in the measuring data.

14. The measurement and sender unit of claim 11, further comprising:

a power receiver configured and arranged to receive power from a powered static coil.

16. A method for performing a measurement on a rotating part of rotating machinery, the method comprising:

measuring with a measurement device, which measurement device is mounted at the rotating part, at least one parameter of the rotating part;

receiving measuring data with a sender, which sender comprises at least one radio frequency module, for the wireless transmission of data based on the received measuring data, from the measurement device;

transmitting data with the sender base on the received measuring data via the at least one radio frequency module;

receiving data transmitted from the sender with a receiver, which receiver comprises a radio frequency module; and

processing measuring data contained in data received from the receiver with a processing unit, which is connected to the receiver.