Abstract:
Methods for displaying machine data are described including a method for displaying machine data as a virtual three-dimensional image showing a three-dimensional graph having three axes such that the data in the graph may be rotated about one or more of the axes to give a data analyst a better perspective of the behavior of an item being monitored. In a related embodiment, a method for displaying machine data in a virtual three-dimensional image such that the data may be rotated one or more of the axes is described which further includes one or more cursor images representing substantially planar cursors on the display for analyzing data.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of machine performance analysis. More particularly, this invention relates to displays for enhancing the ability of a user to analyze machine data. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for displaying machine data to enhance the user&#39;s ability to analyze the machine data. A three dimensional graph of machine data is displayed and a cursor is also displayed in the graph in the form of one or more planes cutting through the three dimensional machine data. A user provides commands through an input device such as a mouse, button, or touch screen, and the cursor moves to different positions corresponding to the inputs provided by a user. Information corresponding to the machine data at the position of the cursor is displayed on or proximate to the graph so that a user may position the cursor at a point of interest on the machine data and read information corresponding to the machine data at such point of interest. 
         [0003]    In accordance with a more particular embodiment, the cursor is one or more semi-transparent planes that are positioned over the machine data to partially obscure a portion of the data. The machine data that is behind the plane(s) is still visible, but it is dimmed out to some extent by the cursor. For example, if the cursor were a semi-transparent gray plane, the machine data in front of the plane would be visible as usual, but the data behind the plane would be grayed out a bit as if the data were in a shadow or were being viewed through gray tinted glass. When more than one plane is displayed, the user may move each independently to indicate locations in different dimensions of the machine data. Alternately, secondary and tertiary dimensions can be indicated by highlighting data sets or by drawing a line or other symbol to indicate selection of points within the data. These alternate indicators can also move independently in their respective data dimensions. 
         [0004]    In certain applications, multiple cursors can take the form of multiple planar cursors. For example harmonic cursors include a plurality of parallel semi-transparent plane cursors spaced apart equidistantly along a substantially horizontal axis which represents frequency. Thus each semi-transparent planar cursor would be spaced apart from the other semi-transparent planar cursors by the same distance representing the same frequency. By user inputs the user may change the distance between each planar cursor, or move all of the planar cursors at one time left or right along the horizontal axis holding their respective spacing constant. By providing user input commands, the user may select one or more data points using these cursors, and the data displayed on or proximate to the graph will correspond to the selected data point. The displayed data may also include the distance between each planar cursor, and in the case of the horizontal axis representing frequency, the distance between the planar cursors is a measurement of frequency. 
         [0005]    A user may also enter commands to create multiple planar cursors that are not a harmonic cursor and in such case the planar cursors may be positioned independently such that the distances between the cursors are not necessarily the same. 
         [0006]    The machine data may be vibration spectra where the horizontal axis represents frequency, a substantially vertical axis represents some type of magnitude (e.g., displacement, velocity, or acceleration) and an axis defining depth (the depth axis) represents time or rotation rate. Along the depth axis different spectra obtained at different times or rotations are displayed. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the three dimensional graph of data is movably displayed and the user may move the graph in a virtual three-dimensional space. For example the user may move the graph so as to rotate it about a substantially vertical axis and thereby view the graph from an infinite number of horizontal views. The user may also move the graph in a rotational motion around a substantially horizontal axis and an axis representing depth (the depth axis). In this manner a user may view the graph from any angle in virtual three-dimensional space. Also, in one embodiment a user may change the position of a user&#39;s virtual viewpoint so as to enable a user to analyze the graph from within the virtual three-dimensional space where the data is displayed. By changing the viewpoint and rotating the graph about three axes as described above, a user may view the graph from any position and orientation. 
         [0008]    The above-described movable three-dimensional graph is implemented on a device, such as a computer, capable of three-dimensional graphing. In one embodiment four slide bars are provided on the screen, one for each of the three axes and one for the viewpoint. To change the angle of view in any of the three directions, or to change the viewpoint, a user may use a mouse, keyboard or other input device to move the slide bars and thereby change the orientation angle or viewpoint. In another embodiment, a three-dimensional input device such as a track ball may be used to change the angle of view. The orientation of the graph follows the position of the ball, and the user can move the track ball to any angular position in space. In this embodiment, the track ball is also used to change the viewpoint by clicking one of the track ball buttons, holding the clicked button, and rotating the ball. Other three dimensional input devices could also be used such as a motion sensitive input device that measures angular position in space and translation. In such an embodiment, the angular position in space controls the angular position of the graph, and the translation of the device linearly may control the viewpoint. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements arc not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1-4  are two-dimensional displays of machine data found in the prior art; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5-7  are three-dimensional displays of machine data attempting cursor manipulation using methods found in the prior art; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8-12  are three-dimensional displays of machine data illustrating semi-transparent planar cursors; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 13-17  are three-dimensional displays of machine data illustrating a number of applications of semi-transparent planar cursors; 
           [0014]      FIG. 18  is a Bode—Nyquist plot of peak-phase information from vibration of a large turbine during start-up; 
           [0015]      FIG. 19  is a three-dimensional graph of the peak-phase information from vibration of a large turbine during start-up; 
           [0016]      FIG. 20  is a screen shot of an exemplary interface for a computer allowing a user to rotate data about three independent axes and vary the perspective and viewpoint of the three-dimensional view; 
           [0017]      FIG. 21  is a three-dimensional graph of the peak-phase information in which each pane of the figure shows the graph rotated five degrees about a vertical axis; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 22  is a three-dimensional graph of the peak-phase information with the viewpoint moved to a point inside the dimensions of the graph so the viewpoint is inside the graph and the viewer sees the information from the inside out. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Machine data, such as vibration data flux data, and voltage data, is collected in a number of ways and analyzed to determine the operating characteristics and possible problems of machinery or other objects of interest. For example, periodic vibration data is often collected using a portable instrument, such as a CSI Model 2130 manufactured by Computational Systems, Inc. In such case, the vibration data is analyzed on the portable unit itself and the vibration data is also uploaded to a computer and further analysis is performed. Vibration data is also collected continuously by permanently installed vibration monitors such as the CSI Model 4500T also manufactured by Computational Systems, Inc. This continuous data is transmitted to a computer for analysis when some transient or other event of interest has occurred. 
         [0020]    Often, the most effective way for an experienced vibration analyst to examine machine data is through interactive displays, such as the interactive display on a portable analyzer (e.g. CSI 2130) or the display of a computer, where cursors may be moved through the data sets to cause the display to report detailed information about selected points. When dealing with two-dimensional displays, simple cursors are readily visible as shown in  FIG. 1  which displays a vibration spectrum for a piece of rotating equipment. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the analyst, using a mouse, a keyboard, or other input techniques, moves a cursor  16  over the data. In  FIG. 1 , the cursor is represented as a square marker drawn around the data point where the cursor is located. The square marker is used to indicate that this cursor is the “active” cursor. In this example, vertical lines are added above and below the marker to enhance the visibility of the cursor. As the cursor moves, the display is updated to show the data values at the position of the cursor. In the figure, the text  20  at the lower right indicates the frequency at which the cursor is positioned, both in orders and Hz and the amplitude of vibration at that frequency. 
         [0022]    Often the analyst will use multiple cursors to permit differential measurements to be taken.  FIG. 2  demonstrates the use of two cursors to determine the difference between two values. As in the previous example, the active cursor  16  is identified with a square marker. The reference cursor  18  has a triangular marker. Each cursor may be moved independently using a mouse, a keyboard, or other input techniques. As the cursors move, the readout  22  at the lower right now shows not only information about the data at each cursor, but also includes the frequency difference  24  between the cursors—a very important measurement for vibration and other types of machine analysis. 
         [0023]    Due to the nature of vibration and other types of machine data, the existence of “families” of peaks with relationships between their frequencies are very significant. Specialized families of cursors can assist the analyst in the location of these features.  FIG. 3  shows the use of harmonic cursors, a specialized cursor family which assists the analyst in identifying multiples of a frequency in spectral data. The active cursor  16  (indicated by the square marker) is positioned by the user at a specific frequency. The harmonic cursors  14  (with circular markers) are automatically positioned at integral multiples of the frequency of the active cursor. Note that the data represented in this figure shows numerous peaks that are harmonics of the rotation frequency (the largest peak—at the active cursor) of the monitored machine. 
         [0024]    Another commonly used cursor family is shown in  FIG. 4 . These are sideband cursors which assist in identification of groups of peaks which are spaced at regular intervals about a given frequency. In this case, the reference cursor  18  (with the triangle marker) is placed by the user at a frequency of interest. Then the active cursor  16  (with the square marker) is positioned at a distance from the reference cursor. Sideband cursors  12  (with diamond shaped markers) are automatically drawn at multiples of the frequency difference about the reference cursor to help identify groups of sideband peaks. 
         [0025]    With recent improvements in machine data collection, storage and display, it has become possible to offer much more data to the analyst. An example of this is shown in  FIG. 5 . The data shown in the figure is a “cascade” of spectra taken periodically by a CSI Model 4500T system during the startup of a large steam turbine. Each of the data sets in the cascade is a spectrum similar to the data sets displayed by  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The cascade plots these spectra together to make changes in the vibration or other machine data characteristics of the machine more visible. Use of cursors in cascade plots or in other three-dimensional machine data displays is also desirable.  FIG. 5  clearly shows that by their very nature, three-dimensional plots are visually very “busy”. The techniques discussed above for representing cursors, as demonstrated by the active cursor  16  shown in the figure, are ineffective. Such cursor representations tend to “get lost” in the data. 
         [0026]    As shown  FIG. 6 , even when the display is “zoomed in” to the area of interest, the cursor  16  is quite difficult to locate visually. The cursor  16  in  FIG. 6  was placed in a relatively “clear” spot so that it can be seen. However, as the analyst moves the cursor  16  near the peaks it can become very difficult to see. Furthermore, this type of cursor  16  can easily move behind data peaks and totally disappear from view. 
         [0027]    One approach used historically to assist in cascade type displays is the “floor” cursor  17  shown in  FIG. 7 . Note that placing the floor cursor  17  (the line along the floor of the plot) at the position of the cursor does help with visibility. However, the cursor can still easily “get lost” behind peaks in the data. 
         [0028]    The use of semi-transparent plane cursors of the present invention solves these problems. One embodiment of this is shown in  FIG. 8 . That figure demonstrates the general case where semi-transparent plane cursors are applied to three-dimensional vibration data  27 . In the figure, the data shown is peak-phase vibration measurements taken by a CSI Model 4500T system along a single plane of one of the turbine&#39;s bearings during startup. As the turbine&#39;s speed is increased, the peak vibration along the bearing&#39;s plane and the phase angle of that vibration was recorded. That data is plotted in  FIG. 8  in three dimensions including peak, phase and RPM. Semi-transparent plane cursors  30  are used to identify a single point within the data. Each semi-transparent plane cursor  30  is rendered to appear much like smoked glass. That is, data (and other information) behind the plane is visible, but appears as though it were being viewed through smoked glass. Using a mouse, a keyboard, or other input techniques, the user may position each plane independently. As the planes move, the readout  29  at the right shows information about the data point  31  at the cursor—that is, at the point where the three planes intersect. As with the two-dimensional examples above, a square marker appears around the selected data point  31  to indicate that the active cursor is positioned there. In this embodiment, lines are also drawn along the intersections of the planes to further highlight the selected data point. 
         [0029]    An alternate embodiment of the use of semi-transparent plane cursors with three-dimensional machine data is demonstrated by  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , in which vibration data  25  is plotted on a three-dimensional graph with displacement on a substantially vertical axis, frequency on a substantially horizontal axis, and time on an axis representing depth (the depth axis). In this cascade plot, each line of vibration data represents a spectrum calculated from vibration samples taken at different times during the startup of the turbine. While a cascade plot does represent three-dimensional data, the data is always rendered to appear like a surface. Because of this geometrical relationship, three semi-transparent planes are not required to uniquely identify a single data point  31 . In this embodiment, a single plane cursor  30  is used to indicate the frequency. A second plane cursor could be used for identifying the data set (time) of interest. However, highlighting of the selected data set  26  can instead be used to identify the time of interest, without obscuring any other data sets. Since the cascade is a surface, the selected data point will be the point where the data surface, the data set indicator and the plane intersect. This representation makes it clear where the cursor is positioned at all times—even when the actual data point where the cursor is positioned is hidden from view. In this embodiment, the user may provide inputs through a mouse, keyboard or other input device to move the planar cursor  30  left or right along the horizontal axis. The user may also input commands to move the data set indicator  26  forward or backward along the depth axis. As in other embodiments, a square marker is drawn around the selected data point  31  to indicate that the active cursor is positioned there. As the plane and data set indicator are moved, information  29  regarding the vibration data at the selected data point is displayed. The close-up view shown in  FIG. 11  demonstrates how the plane cursor  30  appears to cut through peaks providing clear indication of its location. 
         [0030]    Using visual drop down menus on a display, for example, or other user input techniques known to those skilled in the art in various software suites, a user may select the type of indicator to be used for each data dimension. When dealing with a cascade plot, for example, the user might prefer to display a second semi-transparent plane cursor at the selected data set rather than highlighting the trace of the data set. If desired, a horizontal plane cursor could also be used to identify the displacement coordinate of the selected data point. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the user might prefer to use the plane to indicate frequency and a line  27  above the marker to identify the selected data point  31 . 
         [0031]    Any number of planar cursors may be placed on the display at the same time. The plane cursors  30  may be drawn in any color at any desired height, and  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate different height cursors. Again, the user controls the height of the cursors  32  and  34  by providing user commands. The cursors  32  and  34  on  FIG. 13  are taller than cursors  36  and  38  shown in  FIG. 14 , but both cursor sets are positioned identically relative to the data. In some applications the ability to vary cursor height will enhance the clarity of the information shown and in some cases a shorter cursor will appear less busy and allow for more data to be shown on the same display. The information  29  displayed adjacent the machine data provides detailed information as to the machine data at the positions of the two planar cursors  32  and  34 . In addition, the difference frequency  28  is displayed representing the frequency difference between the positions of the two planar cursors  32  and  34  (or  36  and  38 ). 
         [0032]    When this embodiment is implemented on a personal computer, one way to move the various cursors is to use a mouse to drag the cursors  32 ,  34  (or  36 ,  38 ) and data set selectors to desired positions. Also, after a cursor is selected it may be bumped in fine increments using, for example, the arrow keys on the keyboard of the personal computer. Alternately, different keystrokes permit the user to step the cursor through points of a data set or between data sets as desired. For complete control, a dialog box can be opened which permits the user to specify exactly the coordinates for cursor positioning. 
         [0033]    Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the density (opacity) of the plane cursors can also be adjusted as needed. As  FIGS. 15-17  demonstrate, harmonic and sideband cursors can be represented quite effectively using semi-transparent plane cursors.  FIGS. 15 and 16  show two examples of harmonic cursors  40 . As in the two-dimensional case, the active cursor  41  (indicated by the square marker) is positioned by the user at a specific frequency. The harmonic cursors  40  (with circular markers) are automatically positioned at integral multiples of the frequency of the active cursor. Harmonic cursor mode may be enabled/disabled using a drop down menu or other techniques. The number of harmonic cursors displayed, their color, their density fade and/or height decay parameters are all selectable using drop down or pop up menus or some other techniques. 
         [0034]    An example of possible display of sideband cursors  44  on a cascade plot is shown in  FIG. 17 . As in the two-dimensional case, the reference cursor  48  (with the triangle marker) is placed by the user at a frequency of interest. Then the active cursor  46  (with the square marker) is positioned at a distance from the reference cursor. Sideband cursors  44  (with diamond shaped markers) are automatically drawn at multiples of the frequency difference about the reference cursor to help identify groups of sideband peaks. In this embodiment, the planar sideband cursors  44  are chosen with different heights with the cursor height becoming smaller as the cursor is positioned further from the reference frequency. In other words the higher order side bands are designated with shorter planar cursors. In this embodiment, it is shown how each cursor  44  is still visible even when it is behind another cursor  44 . 
         [0035]    The planar cursors described above are particularly well suited for use with a three-dimensional graph having a movable viewpoint, such as a graph in which the data may be viewed from any direction and from any position in virtual three-dimensional space. In other words a user may change the position of a user&#39;s virtual viewpoint so as to enable a user to analyze the graph from within the virtual three-dimensional space where the data is displayed. 
         [0036]    One of the strengths of modern machine monitoring systems (specifically the CSI 4500T) is their ability to simultaneously acquire continuous, unbroken waveform data from multiple signal channels, each having extremely accurate corresponding tachometer pulses. From data of this type, numerous multi-dimensional data sets can be generated and displayed which can prove extremely valuable in analysis of vibration and other parameters during transient operation of various types of rotating equipment or other mechanical devices. 
         [0037]    One example of such a complex data set is peak-phase information. From a single waveform channel and its corresponding tachometer signal, peak-phase data can be produced. Peak-phase data identifies the largest vibration and the effective phase angle at which it took place during short intervals (of either time or rotations). The conventional method for display of peak-phase information is with Bode and Nyquist plots, examples of which are shown in  FIG. 18  for data from a five-minute period during the startup of a large turbine. 
         [0038]    The two Cartesian plots at the top of the  FIG. 18  are Bode plots which display peak amplitude vs. RPM and phase angle vs. RPM respectively. The polar Nyquist plot, at the bottom of  FIG. 18  displays peak amplitude vs. phase angle. These plots are actually two-dimensional projections of a more general three-dimensional set of data. This data may be more easily understood by using the display method discussed below. In one embodiment the information is dynamically displayed in a three-dimensional peak-phase information plot. An example of this is shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0039]    The three-dimensional display makes trends in the data set very clear. Furthermore, allowing a user to rotate the display in virtual space provides an even better technique to evaluate and understand the data.  FIG. 20  shows an exemplary interface allowing the user to rotate the data set about three independent axes. 
         [0040]    By manipulating the top three slider controls, the graph is rotated in three dimensions and spatial relationships among the data points become much more obvious. Although it is difficult to portray such three-dimensional manipulation in a printed document,  FIGS. 21 and 22  are an attempt to do so by demonstrating an embodiment of such a display. In each pane of  FIG. 21  the “Gamma” angle has being increased 5 degrees, thereby rotating the graph around a vertical axis.  FIG. 21  is the same type of graph as shown in  FIG. 8 , and the planar cursors shown in  FIG. 8  may be used in the graphs shown in  FIG. 21 . In such case the cursors rotate with the graph and help provide a visual indication of the three-dimensional rotation that is occurring. In  FIG. 21  the cursors are omitted, but the visual benefit of rotation of the data is readily apparent. 
         [0041]      FIG. 21  only hints at how powerful manipulation of a three-dimensional plot can be. Clearly, without such manipulation, it would be nearly impossible for an analyst to recognize the “pigtail” nature of the example data set. A user can move the graph in all three dimensions and see the graph move. The actual movement greatly increases the ease with which a user can view the flat screen and see the three dimensions that are being portrayed. Unfortunately, actual movement cannot be portrayed in the Figures. 
         [0042]    In addition to allowing a user to twist and turn the data, the three-dimensional representation also allows the data set to be viewed “from the inside” as shown in the  FIG. 22  in which the apparent user viewpoint has been adjusted so that the graph is viewed from inside the physical dimensions of the three-dimensional graph. 
         [0043]    Some additional enhancements of viewing of machine data using this technique are:
       A. Use of color can greatly enhance three-dimensional displays of machine data. For example, showing intervals of increasing RPM as green and periods of decreasing RPM as red further enhances the display and aids the analyst in their visualization.   B. Interactively moving cursors throughout data sets would provide for direct measurement of features. This feature is especially advantageous when using planar cursors as described above in this interactive three-dimensional display. The planar cursors rotate with the graph and further provide movement feedback to enhance a user&#39;s ability to visualize the three-dimensional nature of the graph.   C. The three-dimensional displays may be updated dynamically to highlight the “current” state of the machine relative to its history (or, for replay, its future) by using an application capable of collecting live (or replayed) transient data such as, for example, Machinery Health Manager available from Computational Systems, Inc. Automatically placing a cursor on the active point, or causing it to blink or change color or size, would make it clearly visible. It should be noted that, in addition to acting as a tool for machine analysts, replay of interesting behaviors in this fashion is likely to be quite effective for training new analysts.   D. Using a track ball or other three-dimensional input device to directly control the three-dimensional orientation selection of a graph of data would improve and facilitate a user&#39;s control of the displays.       
 
         [0048]    The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.