MACHINE CONDITION INDICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for determining an operational condition of a machine, comprising:
- (a) accepting data representing sensor signals acquired from a plurality of sensors attached to the machine, where the sensor signals are indicative of operational characteristics of the machine;
(b) processing the data to calculate a plurality of characteristic parameters indicative of the operational condition of the machine; and
(c) operating on the characteristic parameters to derive a single numerical condition value which is indicative of the operational condition of the machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine condition monitor resides in close proximity to a machine train, such as an AC inductive electric motor coupled to a driven unit such as a centrifugal pump or fan. A plurality of sensing devices are connected to the machine and the machine condition monitor. Machine state and condition parameters sensed by these devices are utilized by the machine condition monitor to derive machine condition values for each component and for the machine train as a whole. These derived condition values are transmitted via an industrial communications network to a control center where they can be trended and monitored. With no particular knowledge of machine analysis techniques or severity of specific machine faults, and no special training, Operators and Production Planners can use the condition values to plan production schedules, adjust process parameters, and request appropriate maintenance action.
68 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for determining an operational condition of a machine, comprising:
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(a) accepting data representing sensor signals acquired from a plurality of sensors attached to the machine, where the sensor signals are indicative of operational characteristics of the machine;
(b) processing the data to calculate a plurality of characteristic parameters indicative of the operational condition of the machine; and
(c) operating on the characteristic parameters to derive a single numerical condition value which is indicative of the operational condition of the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for reporting an operational condition of a machine to a central monitoring system using a machine condition monitoring device, the method comprising:
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(a) attaching a plurality of sensors at a plurality of locations on the machine for sensing operational characteristics at the plurality of locations;
(b) producing a plurality of sensor signals using the sensors, the sensor signals indicative of the operational characteristics;
(c) acquiring data from the plurality of sensor signals related to the operational characteristics;
(d) processing the data to calculate a plurality of characteristic parameters indicative of the operational condition of the machine;
(e) operating on the characteristic parameters to derive a single numerical condition value which is indicative of the operational condition of the machine; and
(f) communicating the numerical condition value to the central monitoring system. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A machine condition indication device configured for attachment to a machine for reporting information regarding the operational condition of the machine to a central monitoring system, the device comprising:
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a plurality of sensors mounted at a plurality of locations on the machine for sensing operational characteristics at the plurality of locations and for producing a plurality of sensor signals indicative of the operational characteristics;
a main processor coupled to the plurality of sensors for receiving the plurality of sensor signals, for acquiring data from the plurality of sensor signals related to the operational characteristics, processing the data to calculate a plurality of characteristic parameters indicative of the operational condition of the machine, and operating on the characteristic parameters to derive a single numerical condition value which is indicative of the operational condition of the machine. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification