Centrifugal unbalance detection system
First Claim
1. A method for detecting load unbalances in large-scale centrifuges, the method comprising:
- a. detecting a vibration through a signal from a sensor that is mounted on the centrifuge and senses vibrations;
b. filtering the signal from the sensor to remove noise caused by normal operational vibrations;
c. interpreting the amplitude and frequency of the filtered signal using an algorithm;
d. counting the frequency cycles of the vibration when the amplitude of the signal exceeds a first threshold value; and
e. shutting down the centrifuge if the number of frequency cycles during a predetermined time period exceeds a second threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system consisting of an accelerometer sensor attached to a centrifuge enclosure for sensing vibrations and outputting a signal in the form of a sine wave with an amplitude and frequency that is passed through a pre-amp to convert it to a voltage signal, a low pass filter for removing extraneous noise, an A/D converter and a processor and algorithm for operating on the signal, whereby the algorithm interprets the amplitude and frequency associated with the signal and once an amplitude threshold has been exceeded the algorithm begins to count cycles during a predetermined time period and if a given number of complete cycles exceeds the frequency threshold during the predetermined time period, the system shuts down the centrifuge.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for detecting load unbalances in large-scale centrifuges, the method comprising:
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a. detecting a vibration through a signal from a sensor that is mounted on the centrifuge and senses vibrations;
b. filtering the signal from the sensor to remove noise caused by normal operational vibrations;
c. interpreting the amplitude and frequency of the filtered signal using an algorithm;
d. counting the frequency cycles of the vibration when the amplitude of the signal exceeds a first threshold value; and
e. shutting down the centrifuge if the number of frequency cycles during a predetermined time period exceeds a second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for detecting load imbalances in large-scale centrifuges, comprising:
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a. a sensor mounted to the centrifuge for generating a signal relating to the magnitude and frequency of a load imbalance;
b. a processor for receiving the signal of the sensor;
c. a shutdown circuit; and
d. an imbalance detection algorithm that operates on the processor by comparing the amplitude of the signal to a selected amplitude threshold value and if the amplitude threshold value is exceeded, by counting the number of frequency cycles in the signal and if the number of cycles exceeds a selected frequency threshold value, engaging the shutdown circuit to shutdown the centrifuge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification