Patent ID: 6370957
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: G01H,G01M

Abstract:
A method for determining the operational condition of a rotary machine, the method comprising the steps of:monitoring the machine under a baseline operating condition; collecting baseline vibrational data; calculating a preselected number of baseline parameters from the baseline vibrational data; calculating a first baseline operational indicator from the baseline parameters; storing the baseline parameters and the first baseline operational indicator in a memory location; monitoring the machine under a subsequent operating condition; collecting subsequent vibrational data during the subsequent operating condition; calculating a preselected number of subsequent operating parameters from the subsequent vibrational data; calculating a first subsequent operational indicator from the preselected number of subsequent operating parameters; comparing the preselected number of subsequent operating parameters to the preselected number of baseline parameters wherein a difference between the subsequent parameters and the baseline parameters provides an indication of a mechanical problem exhibited by the machine; and comparing the first subsequent operational indicator to the first baseline operational indicator wherein a difference between the first subsequent operational indicator and the first baseline operational indicator provides an indication of a first type of mechanical problem exhibited by the machine.