Data acquisition unit for remote monitoring system and method for remote monitoring

• US 6,556,956 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hunt, Stephen Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US09/607,287
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/34, 702/35, 702/36, 702/54, 702/56, 702/66, 702/67, 702/75, 702/76, 702/77, 702/79, 702/113, 702/114, 702/115, 702/122, 702/124, 702/125, 702/126, 702/141, 702/177, 702/182, 702/183, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system

Abstract

A remote monitoring system has a central computer system and at least one data acquisition unit for collecting data from a machine to be monitored. The data acquisition unit includes an on-site computer system having a central processor and an auxiliary processor. The data acquisition unit further includes one or more sensors for generating a process data signal and one or more sensors for generating a dynamic data signal. The process data signal is fed to the central processor and the auxiliary processor, and the dynamic data signal is fed to the auxiliary processor. A communication link connects the central computer system and the on-site computer system.

Claims

1. A system for remotely monitoring at least one machine, said system comprising:

a central computer system including a central database that stores trend parameter signals and an amplitude spectrum;

an on-site computer system having an on-site database that stores said trend parameter signals and said amplitude spectrum, a central processor and an auxiliary processor;

means for sensing process data related to said machine, said means for sensing process data generating a process data signal that is fed to said central processor and said auxiliary processor;

means for sensing dynamic data related to said machine, said means for sensing dynamic data generating a dynamic data signal that is fed to said auxiliary processor, wherein said central processor processes said process data signal to generate said trend parameter signals and said auxiliary processor processes said process data and dynamic data signals to generate said amplitude spectrum; and

a communication link between said central computer system and said on-site computer system, wherein said trend parameter signals and said amplitude spectrum are logged into said on-site database at a first rate and are logged into said central database at a second rate, said first rate being greater than said second rate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said central processor processes said process data signal to generate trend parameter signals and said auxiliary processor processes said process data and dynamic data signals to generate an amplitude spectrum.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said amplitude spectrum is a vibration amplitude spectrum.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said central computer system includes a display for displaying said trend parameter signals and said amplitude spectrum together on a time coherent basis.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary processor is an expansion board inserted into said on-site computer system.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said expansion board includes a signal analysis algorithm.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second on-site computer system having a second central processor and a second auxiliary processor;

second means for sensing process data related to another machine, said second means for sensing process data generating another process data signal that is fed to said second central processor and said second auxiliary processor;

second means for sensing dynamic data related to said another machine, said second means for sensing dynamic data generating another dynamic data signal that is fed to said second auxiliary processor; and

a second communication link between said central computer system and said second on-site computer system.