SYSTEM FOR OPERATIONAL MONITORING OF A MACHINE

Abstract: A system for machine condition monitoring through vibration analysis. At least one vibration sensor (9), amplifying and digitizing means (7) and a microprocessor with associated memory (18) are combined into a local initial data processing unit disposed adjacent to the machine for forming and storing vibration data in the form of time series. These time series are periodically transferred via remote communication means (17, 15, 14) to a control monitoring unit (1) for further processing of the time series. For this purpose, the control monitoring unit (1) includes frequency analysis means (22), pattern recognition means (23) and associated computer equipment. Hereby, each local initial data processing unit can be operated without human surveyance.

Description: System for Operational Monitoring of a Machine. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for operational monitoring of a machine. PRIOR ART Known systems for operational monitoring of a machine in- elude a frequency analyzer which is connected to a vibra¬ tion sensor mounted at the machine and comprises pattern recognition means capable of interpreting frequency spectra in relation to previously obtained frequency spectra being representative of normal operational conditions as well as of deviations therefrom. However, the need for qualified personnel beingavailable to handle the frequency analyzer at the machine is a disadvantage which makes the system much too expensive in many applications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION. The invention relates to a systemforoperational monitoring of a machine, wherein the known system has been improved in such a way that the need for qualified personnel.tohandle the frequency analyzer at the machine has been eliminated and, therefore, the number of applications can be increased considerably. 'I the system according to the invention the vibration sensor or sensors, amplifying and digitizing means and a microprocessor with associated memory are combined into a local, initial data processing unit disposed adjacent to said machine for forming and storing vibration data in the form of time series, whereas the frequenzy analyzer, the pattern recognition means and associated computer equipment are disposed in a central monitoring unit for furtherprocessingof said time series, remote communica¬ tion means being adapted to periodically transfer the time series from the initial data processing unit to the central monitoring unit. f OMP l^ IP BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING. The drawing .figure shows a block diagram of apreferred embodiment of the system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT. In the preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, a central monitoring unit 1 comprises a pattern recognition equipment 2, the input 3 of which is connected to afrequency analyzer 4 having an input 5 connected via a first telecommunication channel 6 to a sampling device 7 provided with a control input 8 and connected to a vibration sensor 9 mounted on a machine (not shown) to be monitored. An output 10 of the pattern recognition equipment 2 serves to signal when the frequency spectra obtained from the frequency analyzer 4 comprises patterns representing deviations from a normal operational condition of the machine. Thus, the output 10 is connected to a control device 11 having an output 12 connected via a second telecommunication channel 13 to the control input of the sampling device 7. Measurement information from the vibration sensor 9 will be transmitted in response to control information transmitted from the control device 11. and a terminal equipment 14 is arranged so as to establish periodically a two-way telecommunication connection 15 in¬ cluding said first and second telecommunication channels 6 and 13. In the example, the telecommunication connection 15 is a part of the worldwide public telephone net-work and com¬ prises a relay station in the form ofa.geostat±όnary satell The terminal equipment 14 consists of a modem and is pro¬ vided with an automatic dialling input 16 connected to a second output of the control device 11. Via the telecommu¬ nication connection 15, theterminal equipment 14 is connect ed to-a- corresponding terminal-:equipment 17 connected to the sampling device 7 and consisting of a modem having auto-reply facilities. Consequently, the monitored machine may belong to a plant which is remotely located (e.g. an oil field), movable (e.g. a ship) and possibly fully autom (hydroelectric power station) . The costs of the components of the inventive system can be kept low as regards the com¬ ponents assembled locally at the plant including the machin to be monitored. It is reasonable to assume that the plant is connected to the public telephone net-work in such a way that the terminal equipment 17 is operative at regular time intervals while being conrolled by the control device via the terminal equipment 14 in the central monitoring uni In the preferred embodiment, the terminal equipment 17 is connected to the sampling device 7 via a communication equipment 18 built around a microprocessor provided with ■ a- RAM for programs and data and arranged to be charged wit programs via a serial port. The sampling device 7 comprises a charge amplifier 19 and an A/D converter 20 serving to connect the vibration sensor 9 to the communication equipme 18. The latter is arranged to adjust . the gain of the charg amplifier 19 via the control input 8 of the sampling means and additionally to control the A/D converter 20. For exampl the vibration sensor may be supplemented by several vibra¬ tion sensors each being connected via an associated charge amplifier to a separate analog input of the A/D converter 20 addressed from the communication equipment 18 while bein controlled by a program stored in its RAM and obtained from a communication equipment 21 arranged in the central moni¬ toring unit 1 and likewise including a microprocessor. This program generates a time series which is stored in the RAM of the communication equipment 18 and is transmitted after completed sampling to the communication equipment 21 via the telecommunication connection 15. The transmission of the time series may be repeated in case of detected faults, e.g. by using check sums. In addition to programs for sampli the communication equipment 18 may also receive test progra form the communication equipment 21 for checking the opera¬ tion of e.g. the charge amplifier 19 and the vibration sensor 9. Before the measuring signal is digitized , it is filtered.in an antialising filter, i.a. a low pass filter h a steeply declining.-response characteristic in the'thigh fre region. The upper limit frequency can be set from the control monitoring unit 1, depending on the frequency range being currently examined. In the communication equipment 21 located in the central monitoring unit 1 , the microprocessor is provided with programs for further processing of the received time series, i.a. by correcting the measuring values in view of the adjusted gain of the charge amplifier 19, and for conveying the results to the frequency analyzer 4. The latter includes a FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) frequency analyzer 22 having an output connected to a microprocessor 23 provided with a program for processing frequency spectra obtained from a frequency analyzer 22 and forming a table containing levels and frequencies for further processing in the pattern recognition equipment 2. In the preferred embodiment, the pattern recognition equipment 2 comprises a computer provided with the recog¬ nition program SIMCA which was originally developed for the processing of chemical spectra of organic substances obtained by means of mass spectroscopes and gas chromato- graphs (World, S., et al, Proc. of Symposium on Applied Statistics, Copenhagen, January 22, 1981). In the inventive system, this program has been adjusted for the processing of frequency spectra of machine vibrations. In the course of normal operation of the machine a reference class of frequency spectra is generated and is later compared with each subsequent frequency spectrum, under normal conditions it is not necessary to interpret the frequency spectra. The program calculates for every new frequency spectrum the probability that this spectrum belongs to a class different from the reference class. Should this probability be high, the deviating components in the frequency spectru can be shown and a diagnosis of the operating condition be made. The result can be presented by means of a printer 24' connected to the pattern recognition equipment 2. OMPI

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for machine condition monitoring through vibration analysis, comprising at least one vibration sensor (9) for sensing machine vibrations during opera¬ tion, means (7) for amplifying and digitizing the signals from the vibration sensor, means (22) for frequency analysi of the digitized signals and pattern recognition means (2) for the detection of abnormal frequency spectra correspond¬ ing to abnormal machine conditions, c h a r a c t e r i z in that said vibration sensor (9) , said amplifying and digitizing eeans (7) and a microprocessor with associated memory (18) are combined into a local initial data process¬ ing unit disposed adjacent to said machine for forming and storing vibration data in the form of time series, whereas said frequency analysis means (22) , said pattern recogni¬ tion means (23) and associated computer equipment are disposed in a central monitoring unit (1) for further processing of said time series, and in that remote communi¬ cation means (17,15,14) are adapted to periodically trans¬ fer said time series from said initial data processing unit to said central monitoring unit (1) . 2. A system as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i e d in that said remote communication means (17,15,14) are adapted for two-way communication, so that the operation of the initial data processing ninit-canbe initiated and control ed from the central monitoring unit (1) , and information about abnormal machine conditions can be fed back to the initial data processing unit. 3. A system as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said remote communication means are constitute by a telephone line (17,15,14) . 4. A system as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i e d in that said initial data processing unit comprises a filter for eliminating high frequencies. OMP 5. A system as defined in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that said filter and said amplif ing-' meanβ .are trollable from said central processing unit (1). 6. A system as defined in claim 1, ' c h a r a c t e r - i z e d in that said initial data processing unit comprise several vibration sensors connected to an A/D-converter each via a separate charge amplifier. OMPI i^ WIPO /? ATI

Inventors: LISZKA LUDWIK JAN, LISZKA, LUDWIK, JAN
Applicants: LISZKA LUDWIK JAN, LISZKA, LUDWIK, JAN
Application year: 1984
Main classification: G07C3
IPC codes: G01H17, G01M19, G05B23, G07C3