Analysis of alignment data
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining the condition of a machine having a first shaft coupled to a second shaft, comprising:
- alignment fixtures for producing alignment data composed of a plurality of data points having purportedly corresponding to the misalignment between the first and second shafts measured at a plurality of rotational positions relative to said shafts;
an alignment analyzer having an input for receiving the alignment data, said analyzer for finding a curve of a predetermined type that best fits the alignment data, and for analyzing the alignment data and the curve to produce a confidence factor indicating the probability that the alignment data actually corresponds to the misalignment of the first and second shafts; and
an output associated with said analyzer for outputting information corresponding to the alignment data including information based on said confidence factor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Alignment data is analyzed to determine machine condition information that is not necessarily related to alignment. Alignment fixtures provide alignment data to an analyzer that finds a curve of a predetermined type, such as a sine curve, that best fits the data. A confidence factor is calculated indicating the probability that the alignment data corresponds to misalignment. The alignment data is further analyzed to determine a condition, other than misalignment, that contributed to the magnitudes of the alignment data. Preferably, the analyzer is used to check for machine conditions such as looseness in the machine, rubs, and spall defects in a bearing. Preferably, the condition analysis is based on both the confidence factors and curve parameters, such as phase, offset and amplitude of a sine curve. In the condition analysis mode, the analyzer provides both manual and automatic routine for removing selected segments of data to produce trial data sets that are analyzed to determine machine conditions.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining the condition of a machine having a first shaft coupled to a second shaft, comprising:
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alignment fixtures for producing alignment data composed of a plurality of data points having purportedly corresponding to the misalignment between the first and second shafts measured at a plurality of rotational positions relative to said shafts; an alignment analyzer having an input for receiving the alignment data, said analyzer for finding a curve of a predetermined type that best fits the alignment data, and for analyzing the alignment data and the curve to produce a confidence factor indicating the probability that the alignment data actually corresponds to the misalignment of the first and second shafts; and an output associated with said analyzer for outputting information corresponding to the alignment data including information based on said confidence factor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for determining the condition of a machine having a first shaft coupled to a second shaft, comprising:
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alignment fixtures for producing alignment data composed of a plurality of data points purportedly corresponding to the misalignment between the first and second shafts measured at a plurality of rotational positions relative to said shafts; an alignment analyzer having an input for receiving the alignment data, said analyzer for finding a best fit curve of a predetermined type that best fits the alignment data and for analyzing the alignment data to determine whether a rotationally isolated machine fault exists and for selectively producing a machine fault signal; and an output associated with said analyzer for outputting information corresponding to the alignment data including information based on said machine fault signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for determining the condition of a machine having a first shaft coupled to a second shaft, comprising:
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producing alignment data composed of a plurality of data points purportedly corresponding to the misalignment between the first and second shafts measured at a plurality of rotational positions relative to said shafts; finding a curve of a predetermined type that best fits the alignment data; and analyzing the alignment data and the curve and producing a confidence factor indicating the probability that the alignment data actually corresponds to the misalignment of the first and second shafts. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for determining the condition of a machine having a first shaft coupled to a second shaft, comprising:
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producing alignment data composed of a plurality of data points purportedly corresponding to the misalignment between the first and second shafts measured at a plurality of rotational positions relative to said shafts; finding a best fit curve of a predetermined type that best fits the alignment data, and analyzing the alignment data to determine whether a rotationally isolated machine fault exists; and selectively producing a machine fault signal based on the analyzing step. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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Specification