Machine with evaluation of the oscillation spectrum of a belt of the machine

• US 8,661,903 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weiss Spindeltechnologie GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Bohn, Gunther, Gebert, Karl, Niedergesaess, Jrg
• Primary Examiner(s): Macchiarolo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah, Samir M
• Application Number:
  US13/023,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20120031187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 735/93, 735/77, 735/79, 735/84, 736/02, 736/18, 736/20, 736/27, 736/59, 736/60
• US Class Current: 73/593
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2452 for measuring features or for detecting a condition of machine parts, tools or workpieces B23Q17/2428, B23Q17/2433 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/249 using image analysis, e.g. for radar, infrared or array camera images
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/042 by measuring vibrational characteristics of the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/105 using electro-optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/028 Acoustic or vibration analysis

Abstract

A machine has at least two wheels (at least one of them driven) arranged on a base body and connected with a revolving belt. A transmitter and a receiver are arranged on the base body. The transmitter transmits contactless to the belt a transmitted signal having an oscillation frequency, with the receiver from the belt a reflected signal in response to the transmitted signal. An evaluation device connected to the receiver checks if the reflected signal received by the receiver satisfies an acquisition condition indicating that a speed of the belt is in a predetermined speed range. The evaluation device determines, if the acquisition condition is satisfied, a frequency spectrum which is based of the oscillation frequency and the reflected signal in the predetermined speed range and indicative of a mechanical oscillation characteristic of the belt, and generates a control signal based on the evaluated frequency spectrum.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

at least two wheels arranged on a base body, with at least one of the wheels being driven;

a revolving belt coupling the at least two wheels with one another;

a transmitter arranged on the base body and transmitting contactless to the belt a transmitted signal having an oscillation frequency;

a receiver arranged on the base body and receiving from the belt a reflected signal in response to the transmitted signal; and

an evaluation device connected to the receiver and checking if the reflected signal received by the receiver satisfies an acquisition condition indicating that a speed of the belt is in a predetermined speed range, wherein the evaluation device determines, if the acquisition condition is satisfied, a frequency spectrum which is based on the oscillation frequency and the reflected signal in the predetermined speed range and indicative of a mechanical oscillation characteristic of the belt, and generates a control signal based on the determined frequency spectrum.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine comprises a machine tool.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the control signal comprises an output signal for display to a user of the machine.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the control signal is transmitted to a control device for controlling a machine operation.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the control signal initiates a stop of the machine operation.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the frequency spectrum is generated as a difference frequency signal by frequency mixing of the oscillation frequency and the reflected signal in the predetermined speed range.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the evaluation device determines the frequency spectrum by evaluation of a low-frequency signal obtained by amplitude demodulation at the oscillation frequency of the reflected signal.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal is a radio-frequency signal.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the evaluation device determines amplitude maxima of the frequency spectrum at least in a subrange of the frequency spectrum, determines a fundamental frequency based on frequencies at which the amplitude maxima occur, and generates the control signal based on the fundamental frequency.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed range covers a range from zero speed of the belt at rest to a predetermined operating speed or above.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal is at least one signal selected from the group consisting of ultrasound signal and optical signal.

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed range covers a range from a predetermined operating speed or above to zero speed of the belt at rest.