System Responsive to Machine Vibrations and Method of Use

• US 20130073228A1
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virtjoule, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Virtjoule, Inc.
• Inventors: Fulghum, Craig A., Cox, Randall R., Cox, Landon J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,389,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 17/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the preceding groups see provisionally also G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 19/00 Investigating materials by mechanical methods G01N3/00 - G01N17/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4184 characterised by fault tolerance, reliability of production system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31205 Remote transmission of measured values from site, local to host
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37435 Vibration of machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0224 Process history based detection method, e.g. whereby history implies the availability of large amounts of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 25/00 Arrangements for preventing or correcting errors; Monitoring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A first embodiment of a system for measuring and analyzing a machine property includes a detector with a vibration sensor, power source, a data transmitter, a first data processor configured and adapted to obtain sensed vibration data from the sensor and convert it into digital data to be transmitted through the data transmitter, and a system server operatively in communication with the detector. The system server has software that can process and analyze data such as the sensed vibration data received via the data receiver. In a second embodiment, the system includes a vibration sensor, a terminal comprising a user interface unit and a first data processor that can obtain sensed vibration data from the sensor and convert it into digital data to be transmitted through the first data transceiver. In this embodiment, data may be presented visually on the user display area and user input received input from the user input area.

Claims

1. ) A system for measuring and analyzing a structural component property, comprising:

a) a detector, the detector further comprising;

i) a power source;

ii) a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

(1) a sensor operatively connected to the power source, the sensor dimensioned and configured to sense a property of a structural component with which the sensor is operatively in contact;

(2) a sensor platform dimensioned to selectively receive the sensor, the sensor platform configured to be secured to the structural component;

(3) a sensor mount dimensioned to be received within the sensor assembly and engage the sensor; and

(4) a guide connected to the sensor platform and dimensioned to selectively receive the sensor mount;

iii) a data transmitter operatively connected to the power source; and

iv) a first data processor operatively connected to the sensor, the power source, and the data transmitter, the first data processor configured and adapted to obtain sensed vibration data from the sensor and convert it into digital data to be transmitted through the data transmitter; and

b) a system server operatively in communication with the detector, the system server further comprising;

i) a second data processor;

ii) a data receiver operatively connected to the second data processor; and

iii) software operatively resident in the second data processor, the software dimensioned and configured to process and analyze data comprising the sensed vibration data received via the data receiver.

2. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to be substantially non-removably secured to the structural component.

3. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to be substantially removably secured to the structural component.

4. ) The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) the sensor comprises a predetermined exterior shape; and

b) the sensor platform comprises a cooperatively shaped void configured to receive the sensor.

5. ) The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined exterior shape comprises an outer circumference, a portion of which is substantially circular.

6. ) The system of claim 1, further comprising a cushion disposed intermediate the sensor and the sensor mount, the cushion configured to cushion the sensor relative to the sensor mount.

7. ) The system of claim 6, wherein the cushion comprises a foam.

8. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the guide and sensor mount are configured to cooperatively guide the sensor within the sensor assembly.

9. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a cover dimensioned to substantially cover the sensor, the cover adapted to connect to the sensor platform.

10. ) The system of claim 9, wherein the cover comprises a guide receiver dimensioned to receive the guide.

11. ) The system of claim 10, wherein the cover is configured to be secured to the guide using a selectively removable fastener.

12. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises a post.

13. ) The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor mount further comprises a post annulus dimensioned to allow the post to pass through the post annulus.

14. ) A method for installing a system for measuring and analyzing a structural component property, comprising:

a) inserting a sensor comprising a predefined shape into a detector, the sensor dimensioned and configured to sense vibration of a structural component with which the sensor is operatively in contact, the detector comprising;

i) a power source;

ii) a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising;

(1) a sensor platform, the sensor platform comprising;

(a) a void corresponding to a predefined sensor shape; and

(b) a guide; and

(2) a sensor mount dimensioned to slidingly engage the guide;

iii) a data transmitter operatively connected to the power source; and

iv) a first data processor operatively connected to the sensor, the power source, and the data transmitter, the first data processor configured and adapted to obtain sensed vibration data from the sensor and convert it into digital data to be transmitted through the data transmitter;

b) operatively connecting the sensor to the power source;

c) securing the sensor within the sensor platform by placing the sensor intermediate the sensor platform and the sensor mount;

d) placing the detector into contact with the structural component;

e) positioning the sensor in a predetermined position relative to the structural component by adjusting the sensor mount along an axis defined by the guide to urge the sensor into the predetermined position;

f) sensing the structural component'"'"'s vibration using the sensor;

g) converting the sensed vibration into digital data;

h) transmitting the digital data to a system server, the system server comprising;

i) a second data processor;

ii) a data receiver operatively connected to the second data processor; and

iii) software operatively resident in the second data processor, the software dimensioned and configured to process and analyze data comprising the sensed vibration data received via the data receiver, the software comprising a comparator, an analyzer, a vibration object, and a report initiator;

i) comparing the digital data in the system server against a predetermined set of comparison data;

j) modeling the sensed vibration in the vibration object; and

k) initiating a reporting action if the digital data meet a predetermined action threshold.

15. ) The method of claim 14, further comprising disposing a sensor cushion intermediate the sensor and the sensor mount, the sensor cushion dimensioned to cushion the sensor with respect to the sensor mount when the sensor is secured into the sensor assembly.

16. ) The method of claim 14, further comprising:

a) providing a plurality of guides connected to the sensor platform;

b) positioning the sensor relative to the structural component about an axis defined by one of the guides; and

c) securing the sensor relative to the sensor platform by engaging the sensor mount against the sensor along the axis.

17. ) The method of claim 14, further comprising:

a) providing a sensor cover dimensioned to connect to the guide; and

b) securing the sensor cover to the guide, thereby securing the sensor with respect to the sensor assembly.

18. ) The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor cover is selectively and removably secured to the guide.

19. ) The method of claim 18, further comprising selectively positioning the sensor relative to the structural component along the axis by adjusting the sensor cover relative to the guide along the axis.