System and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
- receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly;
analyzing the vibration detector signal with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly; and
counting the number of times that a debris particle passes between meshing parts of the gear assembly over a predetermined period of time to generate an event count.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly analyzes a signal output by a vibration detector that is attached to the gear assembly. Each time that an amplitude of the signal output from the vibration detector exceeds a threshold value, the system assumes that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts of the gear assembly. The number of times that this occurs, and possibly the amplitude of the vibrations are analyzed to determine a condition of the gear assembly, and possibly a damage index. This system and method are particularly applicable to planetary gear arrangements where the vibration detector can be mounted on a fixed ring gear of the gear assembly, or a structure upon which the fixed ring gear is mounted.
19 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; analyzing the vibration detector signal with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly; and counting the number of times that a debris particle passes between meshing parts of the gear assembly over a predetermined period of time to generate an event count. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of calculating a damage index for a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; analyzing the signal from the vibration detector with a processor to determine each time that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts of the gear assembly, wherein the analysis comprises determining when an amplitude of the vibration detector signal exceeds a threshold value; counting the number of times that a debris particle passes between meshing parts of the gear assembly over a predetermined period of time to generate an event count; and calculating a damage index for the gear assembly based on the event count. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting conditions in a gear assembly, comprising:
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a vibration detector that is attached to a portion of the gear assembly; a processor that compares an amplitude of a signal from the vibration detector to a threshold value and that determines that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts of the gear assembly when the amplitude of the vibration detector signal exceeds the threshold value; and a data analyzing unit that calculates a damage index for the gear assembly based on a number of times that a debris particle passes between meshing parts of the gear assembly per unit of time. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; and comparing an amplitude of the vibration detector signal to an adaptive threshold that varies over time with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly, wherein the comparing step comprises comparing an amplitude of the vibration detector signal to an adaptive threshold that is based on an average of an amplitude of the vibration detector signal when no debris particles are passing between meshing parts of the gear assembly. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; and comparing an amplitude of the vibration detector signal to an adaptive threshold that varies over time with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly, wherein the comparing step comprises comparing an amplitude of the vibration detector signal to an adaptive threshold that varies based on a rotational speed of the meshing parts of the gear assembly.
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23. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; analyzing the vibration detector signal with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly; determining a maximum amplitude of the vibration detector signal during each occurrence of a debris particle passing between meshing parts of the gear assembly; calculating an average of the determined maximum amplitudes of the vibration detector signal per unit of time; and calculating a damage index which is based on the calculated average of the determined maximum amplitudes. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method of monitoring a condition of a gear assembly, comprising:
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receiving a signal from a vibration detector attached to a portion of the gear assembly; analyzing the vibration detector signal with a processor to determine when debris particles pass between meshing parts of the gear assembly; determining a maximum amplitude of the vibration detector signal during each occurrence of a debris particle passing between meshing parts of the gear assembly; determining a rate of change of the determined maximum amplitudes; and calculating a damage index which is based on the determined rate of change of the determined maximum amplitudes. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification