Use of Optical Fiber for Distributed Monitoring of Machinery
First Claim
1. A monitoring system comprising:
- a fiber optic cable disposed relative to a distributed system to be monitored such that the fiber optic cable is proximate to, and responsive to conditions occurring at, multiple different locations in the distributed system;
a computing system operative to receive and store signals from the fiber optic cable, the computing system including a data-holding subsystem containing instructions executable by a processor to;
ascertain that signals received from the fiber optic cable correspond to conditions that have arisen at two or more distinct and identifiable locations in the system to be monitored; and
process the signals corresponding to the conditions at the two or more distinct and identifiable locations so as to yield an output that describes a state or condition of the distributed system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system using fiber optic sensors are provided for the distributed monitoring of the condition of machinery having multiple elements. A sensor including an optical fiber is mechanically coupled to, or in the proximity of, multiple elements of machinery in order to monitor vibration, temperature, and/or strain of such elements. Data are collected in a form suitable for storage, transmission, and analysis, and may be used to control alarms, machinery, or may be displayed to convey condition of machinery. One embodiment is the monitoring of elements of conveyor systems, such as rollers, bearings, idler wheels, power components, and the belt. The detection of condition and changes in condition, as well as the display of information, is enhanced by using information from a plurality of related or similar elements.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A monitoring system comprising:
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a fiber optic cable disposed relative to a distributed system to be monitored such that the fiber optic cable is proximate to, and responsive to conditions occurring at, multiple different locations in the distributed system; a computing system operative to receive and store signals from the fiber optic cable, the computing system including a data-holding subsystem containing instructions executable by a processor to; ascertain that signals received from the fiber optic cable correspond to conditions that have arisen at two or more distinct and identifiable locations in the system to be monitored; and process the signals corresponding to the conditions at the two or more distinct and identifiable locations so as to yield an output that describes a state or condition of the distributed system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification