ADVANCE MANUFACTURING MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

• US 20100123453A1
• Filed: 09/01/2009
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokomis Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nokomis Inc.
• Inventors: PAULY, GERALD WILLIAM, Keller, Walter John III
• Granted Patent: US 8,643,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/76.110
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0871 Complete apparatus or systems; circuits, e.g. receivers or amplifiers G01R29/0878, G01R29/0892 take precedence; dosimeters, warning devices G01R29/0857
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0892 Details related to signal analysis or treatment; presenting results, e.g. displays; measuring specific signal features other than field strength, e.g. polarisation, field modes, phase, envelope, maximum value
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/008 on air- or spacecraft, railway rolling stock or sea-going vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/26 Testing of individual semiconductor devices testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment H01L22/00; testing of photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2642 Testing semiconductor operation lifetime or reliability, e.g. by accelerated life tests
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/265 Contactless testing of circuits, also in wafer-form G01R31/302
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2829 Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2851 Testing of integrated circuits [IC] G01R31/317 takes precedence; testing individual devices G01R31/26; testing printed circuits G01R31/2801
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2894 Aspects of quality control [QC] G01R31/31718 takes precedence; program control for QC G05B19/41875
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/302 Contactless testing G01R31/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/315 by inductive methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31703 Comparison aspects, e.g. signature analysis, comparators concerning scan tests G01R31/318566; concerning testers G01R31/3193
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3278 of relays, solenoids or reed switches measuring contact resistance G01R27/205; high voltage magnetic switches G01R31/3271, G01R31/333; testing electric windings G01R31/72; monitoring of fail safe circuits H01H47/002
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/34 Testing dynamo-electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/62 Testing of transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/72 Testing of electric windings testing of transformers G01R31/62
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 35/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/41 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section

Abstract

The current invention relates to a monitoring and analysis device and a method for monitoring and analysis that utilizes the unintended electromagnetic emissions of electrically powered systems. The present invention monitors electrical devices by taking detailed measurements of the electromagnetic fields emitted by any component or system utilizing electricity. The measurements will be analyzed to both record a baseline score for future measurements and to be used in detailed analysis to determine the status of the analyzed system or component.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic emission measurement device comprising:

an antenna,

a receiver,

at least one processor,

wherein said electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to monitor at least one electrical device by measuring at least one electromagnetic emission given off by said at least one electrical device.

2. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to monitor one electrical device by measuring more than one electromagnetic emission given off by said at least one electrical device.

3. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device may be further comprised to include an active illumination transmitter.

4. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device comprises an analog to digital converter.

5. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to monitor the health of said electrical device.

6. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to diagnose defects in said electrical device.

7. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used to predict the degradation a component of said electrical device.

8. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used to predict the degradation of said electrical device.

9. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device operates in real time to assess the health of said electrical device.

10. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used in stand-alone measurements to assess in real-time said electrical device'"'"'s health.

11. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to assess the health of an electronic system.

12. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to focus on a specified component and subcomponent.

13. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to measure said at least one electromagnetic emission for an extended period of time in at least two periodic measurements.

14. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to assess changes in an electromagnetic signature over time.

15. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is a diagnostic tool, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor frequency bands above microwave frequencies.

16. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to measure, analyze and identify signature characteristics of said at least one electrical device for measurement, analysis and diagnosis of a condition of said at least one electrical device.

17. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electric motor.

18. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electric generator.

19. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electrical oscillator.

20. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a digital processing component.

21. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electrical relay.

22. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a transformer.

23. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a solenoid.

24. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an engine ignition mechanism.

25. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a propane powered device.

26. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a gasoline powered device.

27. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a transistor based device.

28. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a microprocessor.

29. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a microcontroller.

30. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a sensor.

31. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a device that transmits electromagnetic energy.

32. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a device that receives electromagnetic energy.

33. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device provides electronic controls.

34. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an electronic control mechanism for automated manufacturing activities.

35. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said electromagnetic emission measurement device is used to monitor an RFID system.

36. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises functions in an RFID system.

37. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an aerospace vehicle.

38. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises an aerospace system.

39. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a ground vehicle.

40. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein said at least one electrical device comprises a ground based system.

41. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used for monitoring and analysis of health of a ground based electrical systems that employ electronic components.

42. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to provide intermittent health monitoring of manufacturing equipment to facilitate efficient maintenance.

43. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to provide continuous health monitoring of manufacturing equipment to facilitate efficient maintenance.

44. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to provide intermittent health monitoring of non-manufacturing equipment to facilitate efficient maintenance.

45. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured to provide continuous health monitoring of non-manufacturing equipment to facilitate efficient maintenance.

46. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is mobile and monitors electrical or electronic manufacturing equipment.

47. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is configured as a permanently fixed device to monitor specific electrical or electronic manufacturing equipment.

48. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used for quality control related to products developed in a manufacturing facility.

49. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used for quality control of materials to be incorporated into a manufactured product.

50. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used to assure that all subcomponents and subassemblies for construction into a manufactured product are correctly identified.

51. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used to assure that all subcomponents and subassemblies constructed into a manufactured product are correctly assembled.

52. The electromagnetic emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic emission measurement device is used for quality control to identify improperly constructed products.

53. A method for monitoring at least one electrical component, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a receiver for measuring a electromagnetic emissions signature;

(b) providing a database of electromagnetic emission signatures; and

(c) comparing said electromagnetic emission signature to said database of electromagnetic emission signatures to determine a status for said at least one predetermined electrical component.