Vibration analyzer and method

• US 6,925,879 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINT SURIN, JACQUES M
• Application Number:
  US10/673,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20050066730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 735/79, 735/97, 735/99, 736/02, 736/59, 736/60, 735/93
• US Class Current: 73/579
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2698 Other discrete objects, e.g. bricks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/42 by frequency filtering or by tuning to resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/46 by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis or wavelet analysis spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14

Abstract

A tool and method to identify a defect in a vehicle through a vibration frequency is provided. To identify the defect in a vehicle, a sensor senses a vibration frequency and generates a signal in response to the vibration frequency. In addition, a signal spectrum analyzer communicates with the sensor and identifies the defect in response to the signal.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing a vibration frequency in a vehicle having a defect, the system comprising:

a sensor to sense the vibration frequency, wherein the sensor generates a signal in response to the vibration frequency;

a signal spectrum analyzer in communication with the sensor, wherein the signal spectrum analyzer identifies the defect in response to the signal; and

a table configured to provide the range of frequencies in response to a query, the query including the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a frequency selector in communication with the sensor and configured to select a frequency component having a relative maximum amplitude from a plurality of frequency components of the vibration frequency.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the frequency selector further comprises:

a signal filter for filtering the signal.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the frequency selector further comprises:

a programmable gate device for controlling the filter.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the signal spectrum analyzer comprises:

a microprocessor that utilizes a linear transformer to identify the plurality of frequency components of the vibration frequency in response to the signal.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising:

an analog digital converter in communication with the microprocessor and configured to convert the signal from a format to another format.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude in response to the maximum amplitude.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to identify a range of frequencies associated with the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the table is further configured to respond with a probable faulty component of the vehicle in response to a query including the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude.

10. An adapter for analyzing vibration in a device having a defect, the adapter comprising:

a receiver that receives a signal generated in response to the vibration;

a microprocessor using a linear transform to identify a plurality of frequency components in response to the signal, the microprocessor being further configured to determine a frequency component related to the defect, wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine the defect; and

a table configured to provide a probable faulty component of the device in response to a query, the query including the frequency component related to the defect.

11. The adapter according to claim 10, further comprising:

a frequency selector in communication with the microprocessor, the frequency selector being configured to isolate the frequency component related to the defect.

12. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the frequency selector further comprises:

a signal filter to condition the signal.

13. The adapter according to claim 12, further comprising:

a programmable gate configured to modulate the signal filter in response to instructions from the microprocessor.

14. The adapter according to claim 10, further comprising:

an analog to digital converter to convert the signals from a format to another format.

15. An apparatus for analyzing a vibration of a device, the apparatus comprising:

means for sensing the vibration, the vibration having a plurality of frequency components;

means for generating a signal corresponding to the sensed vibration;

means for determining a frequency component having a relative maximum amplitude from the plurality of frequency components;

means for determining a probable faulty component of the device in response to the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude;

means for querying a table with the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude; and

means for returning the probable faulty component in response to the query.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for displaying at least one of the probable faulty component and the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for updating the table in response to the probable faulty component being incorrect.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for locating a source of the vibration.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:

means for sensing the vibration at a plurality of locations; and

means for triangulating the source of the vibration.

20. A method of analyzing a vibration of a device, the method comprising:

sensing the vibration, the vibration having a plurality of frequency components;

generating a signal corresponding to the sensed vibration;

determining a frequency component having a relative maximum amplitude from the plurality of frequency components;

determining a probable faulty component of the device in response to the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude; and

querying a table with the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude; and

returning the probable faulty component in response to the query.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

displaying at least one of the probable faulty component and the frequency component having the relative maximum amplitude.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

updating the table in response to the probable faulty component being incorrect.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

locating a source of the vibration.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:

sensing the vibration at a plurality of locations; and

triangulating the source of the vibration.