Locomotive diagnostic system
First Claim
1. A locomotive diagnostic system for a locomotive having a first component and a second component, said system comprising:
- a) a first sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said first component and which outputs a measurement of a first state variable of said first component, said first state variable indicative of the operation of said first component and said first state variable dependent on a second state variable of said second component;
b) a second sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said second component and which outputs a measurement of said second state variable;
c) an additional sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said first component, which outputs a measurement of an additional state variable of said first component, said additional state variable indicative of the operation of said first component and said additional state variable dependent on said second state variable of said second component;
d) data representing, for each of a plurality of different values of said second state variable, a first range of values of said first state variable which indicates a normal operation of said first component, a second range of values of said first state variable which indicates a worn operation of said first component, and a third range of values of said first state variable which indicates a failed operation of said first component, wherein said data also represents, for each of said plurality of different values of said second state variable, a fourth range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a normal operation of said first component, a fifth range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a worn operation of said first component, and a tertiary range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a failed operation of said first component;
e) means for determining if said measurement of said first state variable is within said first, second, or third range of values of said first state variable for said measurement of said second state variable and also for determining if said measurement of said additional state variable is within said fourth, fifth, or tertiary range of values of said additional state variable for said measurement of said second state variable; and
f) wherein said determining means directs said first, second, and additional sensors to take additional measurements, wherein said determining means calculates deterioration rates of said first and additional state variables from said additional measurements, and wherein said determining means predicts a time-to-failure for said first component which is the earlier of two time-two-failures for said first component, wherein one of said two time-two-failures of said first component is based on a latest measurement of said first state variable, said deterioration rate for said first state variable, and said data, and wherein the other of said two time-two-failures of said first component is based on a latest measurement of said additional state variable, said deterioration rate for said additional state variable, and said data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locomotive diagnostic system. A first sensor outputs a measurement of a first state variable (such as vibration) of a first locomotive component, such as a blower fan bearing set, and a second sensor outputs a measurement of a second state variable (such as rotational speed) of a second locomotive component, such as a blower fan shaft. The first state variable is indicative of the operation of the first component and is dependent on the second state variable. Data represents, for each of a number of different values of the second state variable, first, second, and third ranges of values of the first state variable which indicate, respectively, normal, worn, and failed operation of the first component. A mechanism, such as a digital computer, determines if the measurement of the first state variable is within the first, second, or third range of values of the first state variable for the measurement of the second state variable.
39 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A locomotive diagnostic system for a locomotive having a first component and a second component, said system comprising:
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a) a first sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said first component and which outputs a measurement of a first state variable of said first component, said first state variable indicative of the operation of said first component and said first state variable dependent on a second state variable of said second component;
b) a second sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said second component and which outputs a measurement of said second state variable;
c) an additional sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said first component, which outputs a measurement of an additional state variable of said first component, said additional state variable indicative of the operation of said first component and said additional state variable dependent on said second state variable of said second component;
d) data representing, for each of a plurality of different values of said second state variable, a first range of values of said first state variable which indicates a normal operation of said first component, a second range of values of said first state variable which indicates a worn operation of said first component, and a third range of values of said first state variable which indicates a failed operation of said first component, wherein said data also represents, for each of said plurality of different values of said second state variable, a fourth range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a normal operation of said first component, a fifth range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a worn operation of said first component, and a tertiary range of values of said additional state variable which indicates a failed operation of said first component;
e) means for determining if said measurement of said first state variable is within said first, second, or third range of values of said first state variable for said measurement of said second state variable and also for determining if said measurement of said additional state variable is within said fourth, fifth, or tertiary range of values of said additional state variable for said measurement of said second state variable; and
f) wherein said determining means directs said first, second, and additional sensors to take additional measurements, wherein said determining means calculates deterioration rates of said first and additional state variables from said additional measurements, and wherein said determining means predicts a time-to-failure for said first component which is the earlier of two time-two-failures for said first component, wherein one of said two time-two-failures of said first component is based on a latest measurement of said first state variable, said deterioration rate for said first state variable, and said data, and wherein the other of said two time-two-failures of said first component is based on a latest measurement of said additional state variable, said deterioration rate for said additional state variable, and said data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A locomotive diagnostic system for a locomotive having a first component and a second component, said system comprising:
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a) a first sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said first component and which outputs a measurement of a first state variable of said first component, said first state variable indicative of the operation of said first component and said first state variable dependent on a second state variable of said second component;
b) a second sensor which is disposed in sensing proximity to said second component and which outputs a measurement of said second state variable, wherein said second state variable is rotational speed, wherein said first sensor is an acoustic sensor, and wherein said second sensor is a rotational speed sensor;
c) data representing, for each of a plurality of different values of said second state variable, a first range of values of said first state variable which indicates a normal operation of said first component, a second range of values of said first state variable which indicates a worn operation of said first component, and a third range of values of said first state variable which indicates a failed operation of said first component; and
d) means for determining if said measurement of said first state variable is within said first, second, or third range of values of said first state variable for said measurement of said second state variable. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification