Device for indicating the vibration level of a vehicle

• US 7,225,062 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Eurocopter
• Inventors: Aubourg, Pierre-Antoine
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US11/017,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20060064210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/3, 701/13, 244/158.1
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/08 Analysing frequencies present in complex vibrations, e.g. comparing harmonics present acoustic presence detection G01V1/001

Abstract

A device for indicating at least a first vibration level VIB1 derived from a first acceleration signal γ1 includes:

• • first analysis element FT1 for resolving the first acceleration signal γ1 into a plurality of axial analysis signals γ1_i each occupying an identified frequency band B_i;
  • a first memory RM1 having recorded therein a plurality of axial weighting coefficients KA_i, each corresponding to one of the identified frequency bands B_i; and
  • a first control circuit CC for summing the p^th powers of the axial analysis signals γ1_i weighted by the axial weighting coefficients KA_i, thereby producing the first vibration level VIB1.

Claims

1. A device for indicating the vibration level of a helicopter including a rotor, in order to produce first and second vibration levels derived from respective first and second acceleration signals, the device comprising:

first analysis means for resolving said first acceleration signal delivered by one or more sensors measuring vibration directed along the axis of the rotor into a plurality of axial analysis signals, each occupying a respective first identified frequency band;

a first memory having recorded therein a plurality of axial weighting coefficients, each corresponding to one of said first identified frequency bands;

a control circuit summing second powers of said axial analysis signals weighted by said axial weighting coefficients, thereby producing said first vibration level,

second analysis means for resolving said second acceleration signal into a plurality of radial analysis signals, each occupying a respective second identified frequency band, said second acceleration signal being delivered by one or more sensors measuring vibration directed perpendicularly to the axis of the rotor;

a second memory recording a plurality of radial weighting coefficients, each corresponding to one of said second identified frequency bands; and

a second control circuit summing second powers of said radial analysis signals weighted by said radial weighting coefficients in order to produce said second vibration level.

2. A device according to claim 1, including a first comparator for producing a first alert signal when said first vibration level exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

3. A device according to claim 2, including a second comparator for producing a second alert signal when said second vibration level exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

4. A device according to claim 3, including a combiner member for producing a warning signal when a combination of said alert signals exceeds a third predetermined threshold.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said combiner member sums the q^th powers of said alert signals.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the value of q is equal to 1.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a first concentrator member arranged so that said plurality of axial analysis signals come from a plurality of measurement signals each coming from a distinct sensor.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said first concentrator member sums said measurement signals.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein said first concentrator member retains the greatest of said measurement signals.

10. A device according to claim 7, including a second concentrator member arranged so that said plurality of radial analysis signals come from a plurality of evaluation signals, each coming from a distinct sensor.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said second concentrator member sums said evaluation signals.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein said second concentrator member retains the greatest of said evaluation signals.

13. A device for indicating vibration levels of a helicopter rotor, comprising:

one or more first sensors measuring vibration along an axis of the rotor and delivering a first acceleration signal;

first analysis menas for performing a discrete Fourier transform on said first acceleration signal and producing a plurality of axial analysis signals giving values of axial acceleration in succesive narrow frequency bands;

a first memory storing plural axial weighting coefficients, each corresponding to a respective one of the successive narrow frequency bands;

a first control circuit summing second powers of the axial analysis signals weighted by the respective axial weighting coefficients to provide a first vibration level;

one or more second sensors measuring vibration perpendicular to the axis of the rotor and dilivering a second acceleration signal;

second analysis means for performing a discrete Fourier transform on said second acceleration signal and producing a plurality of radial analysis signals giving values of radial acceleration in the successive narrow frequency bands;

a second memory storing plural radial weighting coeffeicients, each corresponding to a respective one of the succesive narrow frequency bands;

a second control circuit summing second powers of the radial analysis signals weighted by the respective radial weighting coefficients to provide a second vibration level.

14. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a comparator for producing an alert signal when one of the first and second vibration levels exceeds a threshold.