System and method for monitoring impact machinery

• US 7,837,749 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2006
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hershey, John Erik, Farmer, Terry Lewis, Tomlinson, Harold Woodruff Jr., Johnston, David Fulton, Delgado, Eladio Clemente, Seeley, Charles Erklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Greene; Jason M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hawkins; Karla
• Application Number:
  US11/426,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20080000355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 96/18, 96 22- 24, 96 30- 39, 96/65, 96417-423, 552/83, 553/00, 554/82, 95/2, 95 6- 7, 95/18, 95/22, 95 32- 33, 95/76, 95/59, 95/74
• US Class Current: 55/283
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 3/763 Electricity supply or control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 3/765 with electromagnetic rappers

Abstract

A system (10) for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator rapper system (12) includes a rapper (24) configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator (12). The system also includes a sensor (38, 40) configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of vibration, motion, or current behavior of the rapper; and a processor (52) configured to receive the signals from the sensor and to detect whether the rapper is mechanically actuated.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator comprising a rapper configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator, the system comprising:

a solenoid coil and a slug disposed within the solenoid coil, the solenoid coil configured to move the slug within the rapper when the solenoid coil is energized;

a piezoelectric sensor disposed on the slug for movement therewith, said sensor configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of the movement of the slug within the rapper;

an intermediate device electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the sensor; and

a base station including a receiver configured to receive the signals from the intermediate device and a processor configured to determine whether the rapper is mechanically actuated.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a piezoelectric device disposed on the slug and configured to generate electrical energy in response to the movement of the slug, and wherein the electrical energy is used to power the piezoelectric sensor, the piezoelectric device, or both.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediate device is disposed on an outer surface of the rapper.

4. A system for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator comprising a rapper configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator, the system comprising:

a solenoid coil and a slug disposed within the solenoid coil, the solenoid coil configured to move the slug within the rapper when the solenoid coil is energized;

a sensor coupled to the solenoid coil and configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of the movement of the slug within the rapper; and

a processor configured to receive the signals from the sensor and to determine a position or velocity of the slug within the rapper,

wherein the sensor measures a time varying inductance of the solenoid coil based on the movement of the slug within the coil.

5. A system for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator comprising a rapper configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator, the system comprising:

a solenoid coil and a slug disposed within the solenoid coil, the solenoid coil configured to move the slug within the rapper when the solenoid coil is energized;

a sensor configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of the movement of the slug within the rapper; and

a processor configured to receive the signals from the sensor for determining a position or velocity of the slug within the rapper,

wherein the sensor comprises an ultrasound sensor for transmitting and receiving an acoustic waveform to and from the slug within the rapper, and wherein the processor is configured for using the time between transmission and reflection of the acoustic waveform to determine the position or velocity of the slug.

6. A system for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator comprising a rapper configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator, the system comprising:

a solenoid coil and a slug disposed within the solenoid coil, the solenoid coil configured to move the slug within the rapper when the solenoid coil is energized;

a sensor configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of the movement of the slug within the rapper; and

a processor configured to receive the signals from the sensor for determining a position or velocity of the slug within the rapper,

wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor for measuring capacitance values with respect to multiple positions of a slug within the rapper, and wherein the processor is configured for using the capacitance values to determine a position of the slug within the rapper.

7. A system for monitoring an operating condition of an electrostatic precipitator comprising a rapper configured to mechanically actuate to disengage pollutants from a plate of the electrostatic precipitator, the system comprising:

a solenoid coil and a slug disposed within the solenoid coil, the solenoid coil configured to move the slug within the rapper when the solenoid coil is energized;

a sensor configured to obtain and transmit signals representative of the movement of the slug within the rapper;

a processor configured to receive the signals from the sensor for determining a position or velocity of the slug within the rapper;

a magnet attached to a slug by a spring; and

a coil disposed around the magnet and configured to be energized for energy harvesting,

wherein a motion of the magnet from applied vibration generated by the slug creates a current in the coil, the current being used for energy harvesting.