Systems and methods for diagnosing engine components and auxiliary equipment associated with an engine

• US 9,606,022 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith, Ramachandrapanicker, Somakumar, Flynn, Paul, Banerjee, Arijit, Mukherjee, Rupam
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woodward, Nathaniel T
• Application Number:
  US14/211,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20150355054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/29.1, 701/29.4, 701/29.5, 701/29.6, 701/30.2, 701/30.5, 701/30.6, 701/30.7, 701/34.3, 701/34.4, 701/32.9, 701/99, 701/101, 701/102, 701/114, 455/277.1, 455/422.1, 455/562.1, 370/328, 370/329, 370/465, 323/208, 379/93.06, 379/93.09, 340/854.3, 381/315, 414/706, 414/713, 123/406.24, 123/406.26, 123/406.27, 123/406.41, 123/406.42, 123/406.43, 123/435, 123/679, 123/687, 731/145.8, 731/146.2, 731/146.1, 731/147.7, 731/140.2, 731/140.4, 731/141.1, 731/141.5, 731/142.3, 731/145.9, 318/139, 318/254, 318/430, 318/432, 318/400.12
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/02 Details or accessories of testing apparatus

Abstract

Diagnosing equipment coupled to a generator. A condition of the equipment is diagnosed based on information provided by signals from a generator operationally connected to the equipment or other signals associated with an engine. Different types of degradation are distinguished based on discerning characteristics within the information. Thus, a degraded equipment component can be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a controller that is operable to determine a condition of equipment electrically coupled to a generator based on frequency content of a measured dc-link parameter associated with the generator over time; and

a sensor configured to sense the dc-link parameter associated with the generator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is operable to communicate with the controller and to sample the dc-link parameter over time, and wherein the controller is further operable to extract the frequency content of the dc-link parameter.

3. A method, comprising:

measuring a dc-link parameter associated with a generator that is coupled to an engine during operation using a dc-link sensor; and

diagnosing a condition of an engine component of the engine based on frequency content of the dc-link parameter using at least a processor.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on a magnitude of a peak of the frequency content.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on one or more of a magnitude or a phase of the frequency content.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on a half-order component of the frequency content.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a historical file of diagnostic data and monitoring the historical file for changes in the diagnostic data over time.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a historical file of diagnostic data, monitoring the historical file for diagnostic data that changes a determined amount over a period of time preceding a fault, and setting a failure threshold level in response to the monitoring.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising predicting a failure of the engine component.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a severity of a degraded condition of the engine component.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising notifying one or more of an operator of the engine, a dispatcher, or a service shop of a diagnosed condition of the engine.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising scheduling maintenance of the engine in response to diagnosing a condition of an engine component.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising confirming a diagnosed condition of the engine component by cross-referencing the diagnosed condition with information stored in a diagnostic data archive.

14. The method of claim 3, further comprising confirming a diagnosed condition of the engine component by initiating, in a safe operating mode, at least one test that changes at least one operating parameter of the engine to intentionally change the diagnosed condition.

15. The method of claim 3, further comprising taking at least one proactive step to avoid a catastrophic failure of the engine component.

16. The method of claim 3, further comprising de-rating the engine component in response to diagnosing a condition of the engine component.

17. The method of claim 3, further comprising disabling the engine component in response to diagnosing a condition of the engine component.