System and method for filtering noise from acoustic energy from a valve

• US 9,568,390 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2013
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dresser, LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Inventors: Schoonover, Larry Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alkafawi, Eman
• Application Number:
  US13/928,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20150006091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 702/39, 702/48, 702/45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/00 Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0075 For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/007 Leak detector calibration, standard leaks G01M3/207 takes precedence
• 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 29/4454 Signal recognition, e.g. specific values or portions, signal events, signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/46 by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis or wavelet analysis spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric

Abstract

Embodiments of systems and methods that can filter acoustic energy from sources remote from the valve. These embodiments utilize signals from sensors that manifest acoustic energy from various locations on and/or about the valves. In one embodiment, the system includes sensors at locations proximate the valve and locations spaced apart from the valve. The system can further process the signals from these locations and, in one example, combines samples of data to form an energy signature of the valve that is effectively free of noise that emanates from upstream and/or downstream of the valve.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring operation of a valve, comprising:

a sensor component comprising;

a first sensor;

a second sensor; and

a processing component that couples with the sensor component, the processing component comprising a processor, memory, and executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instructions comprising instructions for,

receiving signals from the first sensor and the second sensor, the signals comprising data that corresponds with energy manifest from a valve and a pipe,

sampling the data from the signals to create data samples, the data samples comprising a first sample, a second sample, and a third sample, the first sample and the second sample from a first signal that is expected to originate from the first sensor disposed at a first location proximate the valve, the third sample from a second signal that is expected to originate from the second sensor disposed at a second location on the pipe that is spaced apart from the first location proximate the valve, wherein the second sample comprises a first delay and the third sample comprises a second delay that is different from the first delay, and wherein the first delay and the second delay have values that account for propagation of acoustic waves over a distance that separates the first location from the second location,

combining the data samples to form an energy signature for the valve by adding the first sample and the second sample to form a first preliminary sample and subtracting the third sample from the first preliminary sample,

comparing the energy signature to a threshold criteria defining a known spectra of energy that corresponds with problematic operation of the valve; and

generating an output comprising data in response to the energy signature satisfying the threshold criteria so as to initiate maintenance that pre-empts damage due to the problematic operation of the valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first delay and the second delay comprise a fixed delay value that utilizes a travel time of sound from the first location to the second location.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first delay is two times the fixed delay value.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second delay has a value that is substantially equal to the fixed delay value.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising

a third sensor,

wherein the executable instructions comprise instructions for,

sampling data from a third signal that arises from the third sensor disposed at a third location that is spaced apart from the first location and the second location to create a fourth sample, wherein the fourth sample comprises a third delay that is different from the first delay, and

subtracting the fourth sample from the energy signature.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the third delay is substantially the same as the second delay.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the second location and the third location are located on, respectively, an upstream side and a downstream side of the valve.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the second location and the third location are equally spaced from the first location.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a plurality of accelerometers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise a plurality of pressure sensors.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control valve having a positioner with integrated circuitry that integrates one or more of the processor, memory, and executable instructions therein, wherein the first location is on the control valve.

12. A device for monitoring noise emanating from a valve, comprising

a processor;

memory coupled with the processor; and

executable instructions stored on the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instructions comprising instructions for,

receiving signals with data that defines acoustic energy that manifests from a valve and a pipe;

sampling data from the signals to create data samples, the data samples comprising a first sample, a second sample, and a third sample, wherein the second sample comprises a first delay relative to the first sample and the third sample comprises a second delay that is different from the first delay,

combining the data samples to form an energy signature for the valve by,

adding the first sample and the second sample of data to form a first preliminary sample;

subtracting the third sample of data from the first preliminary sample;

comparing the energy signature to a threshold criteria defining a known spectra of energy that corresponds with problematic operation of the valve; and

generating an output comprising data in response to the energy signature satisfying the threshold criteria so as to initiate maintenance that pre-empts damage due to the problematic operation of the valve,

wherein the first sample and the second sample comprise data from a first sensor at a first location proximate the valve,

wherein the third sample comprises data from a second sensor at a second location on the pipe that is spaced apart from the first location, and

wherein the first delay and the second delay have values that account for propagation of acoustic waves over a distance that separates the first location from the second location.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the data measures acceleration.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the second location is space apart from the first location a distance calculated according to,

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the second location is on a downstream side of the valve.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the second location is on an upstream side of the valve.

17. The device of claim 12, further comprising subtracting a fourth sample of data from the signals from the energy signature, wherein the fourth sample comprises a third delay relative to the first sample that is different from the first delay, and wherein the fourth sample comprises data from a third sensor at a third location that is different from the first location and downstream from the second location.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the third delay is the same as the second delay.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the first delay, the second delay, and the third delay include a fixed delay value, and wherein the fixed delay value measures a travel time of sound from the first location to either the second location or the third location.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first delay is equal to twice the fixed delay value.