Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a first cement manufacturing machine;(b) at least a first sensor coupled to the first machine operably sensing a movement condition associated with a portion of the first machine;(c) at least a second cement manufacturing machine located remotely from and performing a different manufacturing operation than the first machine;(d) at least a second sensor coupled to the second machine operably sensing a movement condition associated with a portion of the second machine;(e) a central computer operably receiving signals from the first and second sensors while being remotely located from the first and second machines;(f) software instructions used by the central computer to automatically perform substantially real-time calculations based at least in part on signals from the sensors to determine and report operating problems with sensed portions of the machines; and(g) a hand-held and portable electronic data collector operable to receive signals through the central computer from a third sensor coupled to a third remotely located cement manufacturing machine, the hand-held data collector operably interfacing with the central computer to transfer sensor data to an offline database. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least a first switch matrix and a multiplexer connecting at least the first and second sensors to the central computer to provide at least a sixty-four channel data acquisition device with analog-to-digital sensor-to-multiplexer signal conversion, and the monitored sensors exceeding four signals. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the machines includes a rotating cement kiln. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the machines includes a rotating crusher. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the machines includes a fan. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the machines includes a separator. 7. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a first cement manufacturing machine;(b) at least a first sensor coupled to the first machine operably sensing a movement condition associated with a portion of the first machine;(c) at least a second cement manufacturing machine located remotely from and performing a different manufacturing operation than the first machine;(d) at least a second sensor coupled to the second machine operably sensing a movement condition associated with a portion of the second machine;(e) a central computer operably receiving signals from the first and second sensors while being remotely located from the first and second machines;(f) software instructions used by the central computer to automatically perform substantially real-time calculations based at least in part on signals from the sensors to determine and report operating problems with sensed portions of the machines;wherein the first sensor operably senses vibration of a bearing assembly in the first machine, and the central computer automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values to target values and automatically activates an alarm indicator if the compared value difference exceeds an alarm limit. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a hand-held and portable electronic data collector operable to receive signals through the central computer from a third sensor coupled to a third remotely located cement manufacturing machine, the hand-held data collector operably interfacing with the central computer to transfer sensor data to a database. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the machines includes a rotating cement kiln. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the machines includes a rotating crusher. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the machines includes a fan. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the machines includes a separator. 13. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan;(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions; and(g) at least a first switch matrix and a multiplexer connecting the sensors to the central processing unit to provide at least a sixty-four channel data acquisition device. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the sensors senses a characteristic of a rotating bearing assembly, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values to target values and automatically activates an alarm indicator if the compared value difference exceeds an alarm limit. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensors send at least 1,000 qualitative samples per second to the central processing unit. 16. The system of claim 13, further comprising:a hand-held electronic data collector communicating with the central processing unit to download sensor data; anda control room including a display visually showing a simulated representation of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the sensors senses vibration of a bearing assembly in one of the kiln, crusher, separator or fan, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values from the at least one of the sensors to target values and automatically activates a warning signal if the compared value difference exceeds a limit. 18. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan;(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions; and(g) a display visually showing a simulated representation of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and an indication feature based on the sensor signals associated therewith. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least a first switch matrix and a multiplexer connecting the sensors to the central processing unit to provide at least a sixty-four channel data acquisition device. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the sensors senses vibration of a bearing assembly in one of the kiln, crusher, separator or fan, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values from the at least one of the sensors to target values and automatically activates a warning signal if the compared value difference exceeds a limit. 21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a hand-held electronic data collector communicating with the central processing unit to download sensor data. 22. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan;(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions; and(g) a hand-held electronic data collector operable to communicate with the central processing unit to download sensor data from a remotely located cement manufacturing machine. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein at least one of the sensors senses vibration of a bearing assembly in one of the kiln, crusher, separator or fan, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values from the at least one of the sensors to target values and automatically activates a warning signal if the compared value difference exceeds a limit. 24. The system of claim 22, further comprising:software instructions operating within the central processing unit automatically determining if there is a problem and a severity of the problem in a real-time manner;the software instructions providing historical trends; andthe software instructions providing maintenance notifications for at least the kiln and crusher. 25. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan; and(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions;wherein the sensors include at least three differently oriented vibration sensors located adjacent the kiln. 26. The system of claim 25, further comprising:a hand-held electronic data collector communicating with the central processing unit to download sensor data; anda control room including a display visually showing a simulated representation of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan. 27. The system of claim 25, further comprising:software instructions operating within the central processing unit automatically determining if there is a problem and a severity of the problem in a real-time manner;the software instructions providing historical trends; andthe software instructions providing maintenance notifications for at least the kiln and crusher. 28. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan;(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions; and(g) an evolutionary learning program being used by the central processing unit to automatically adapt its undesirable condition determination through repeated use over time. 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising:a hand-held electronic data collector communicating with the central processing unit to download sensor data; anda control room including a display visually showing a simulated representation of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the sensors senses vibration of a bearing assembly in one of the kiln, crusher, separator or fan, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values from the at least one of the sensors to target values and automatically activates a warning signal if the compared value difference exceeds a limit. 31. The system of claim 28, further comprising:software instructions operating within the central processing unit automatically determining if there is a problem and a severity of the problem in a real-time manner;the software instructions providing historical trends; andthe software instructions providing maintenance notifications for at least the kiln and crusher. 32. A monitoring system for cement manufacturing, the system comprising:(a) a kiln;(b) a crusher;(c) a separator;(d) a fan;(e) sensors detecting movement-related characteristics of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan;(f) a central processing unit receiving substantially real-time and continuous signals from the sensors and using the signals to determine if any undesirable conditions are present with regard to the kiln, crusher, separator and fan, and to identify one or more likely causes of the undesirable conditions;wherein the central processing unit uses at least one of the sensor signals to automatically determine if a mechanically unbalanced movement condition exists. 33. The system of claim 32, further comprising:a hand-held electronic data collector communicating with the central processing unit to download sensor data; anda control room including a display visually showing a simulated representation of the kiln, crusher, separator and fan. 34. The system of claim 32, wherein at least one of the sensors senses vibration of a bearing assembly in one of the kiln, crusher, separator or fan, and the central processing unit automatically compares real-time sensed vibrational values from the at least one of the sensors to target values and automatically activates a warning signal if the compared value difference exceeds a limit. 35. The system of claim 32, further comprising:software instructions operating within the central processing unit automatically determining if there is a problem and a severity of the problem in a real-time manner;the software instructions providing historical trends; andthe software instructions providing maintenance notifications for at least the kiln and crusher. 36. A computer program, stored in memory, comprising:a set of instructions receiving substantially real-time vibration sensor data in cement making machinery;a set of instructions comparing the real-time sensor data to target sensor data;a set of instructions automatically determining if an undesirable condition exists in the cement making machinery, and automatically identifying and reporting a potential cause of the undesirable condition based at least in part on the data comparison and determination; anda set of instructions automatically determining if an undesired rotational imbalance is occurring in the cement making machinery. 37. The computer program of claim 36, further comprising:a set of instructions determining a severity of the undesirable condition;a set of instructions displaying historical trends based on the sensed data; anda set of instructions providing maintenance notifications for the cement making machinery. 38. A computer program, stored in memory, comprising:a set of instructions receiving substantially real-time vibration sensor data in cement making machinery;a set of instructions comparing the real-time sensor data to target sensor data;a set of instructions automatically determining if an undesirable condition exists in the cement making machinery, and automatically identifying and reporting a potential cause of the undesirable condition based at least in part on the data comparison and determination; anda set of instructions automatically determining if an undesired bearing condition is occurring in the cement making machinery. 39. The computer program of claim 38, further comprising:a set of instructions determining a severity of the undesirable condition;a set of instructions displaying historical trends based on the sensed data; anda set of instructions providing maintenance notifications for the cement making machinery. 40. A computer program, stored in memory, comprising:a set of instructions receiving substantially real-time vibration sensor data in cement making machinery;a set of instructions comparing the real-time sensor data to target sensor data;a set of instructions automatically determining if an undesirable condition exists in the cement making machinery, and automatically identifying and reporting a potential cause of the undesirable condition based at least in part on the data comparison and determination; anda set of instructions analyzing analog data from at least fifty vibrational sensors associated with multiple cement making machines in a substantially real-time and continuous manner. 41. The computer program of claim 40, further comprising a set of instructions automatically determining if an undesired rotational imbalance is occurring in the cement making machinery. 42. The computer program of claim 40, further comprising:a set of instructions determining a severity of the undesirable condition;a set of instructions displaying historical trends based on the sensed data; anda set of instructions providing maintenance notifications for the cement making machinery. 43. A computer program, stored in memory, comprising:a set of instructions receiving substantially real-time vibration sensor data in cement making machinery;a set of instructions comparing the real-time sensor data to target sensor data;a set of instructions automatically determining if an undesirable condition exists in the cement making machinery, and automatically identifying and reporting a potential cause of the undesirable condition based at least in part on the data comparison and determination; anda set of instructions visually displaying a simulated representation of the cement making machinery and an indication image of the sensor data. 44. The computer program of claim 43, further comprising:a set of instructions determining a severity of the undesirable condition;a set of instructions displaying historical trends based on the sensed data; anda set of instructions providing maintenance notifications for the cement making machinery. 45. A method of using and monitoring machines to manufacture cement, the method comprising:(a) moving a portion of a first machine;(b) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (a);(c) moving a portion of a second machine remotely located relative to the first machine;(d) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (c);(e) moving a portion of a third machine remotely located relative to the first and second machines;(f) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (e);(g) making cement with the machines;(h) substantially simultaneously using remotely located software instructions to automatically determine if an undesirable mechanical condition exists in the first, second and third machines based at least in part on the detected characteristics, and if so, automatically identifying a probable cause; and(i) using an evolutionary learning calculation to assist in making the probable cause identification. 46. The method of claim 45, further comprising using the software instructions to compare historical detected data to real-time detected characteristic data. 47. The method of claim 45, further comprising transmitting sensed data from a central processing unit, associated with a central control room, to a hand-held electronic data collector, the central processing unit running the software instructions. 48. A method of using and monitoring machines to manufacture cement, the method comprising:(a) moving a portion of a first machine;(b) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (a);(c) moving a portion of a second machine remotely located relative to the first machine;(d) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (c);(e) moving a portion of a third machine remotely located relative to the first and second machines;(f) detecting a characteristic associated with the movement of step (e);(g) making cement with the machines;(h) substantially simultaneously using remotely located software instructions to automatically determine if an undesirable mechanical condition exists in the first, second and third machines based at least in part on the detected characteristics, and if so, automatically identifying a probable cause;(i) rotating a hollow tube of a cement kiln machine;(j) energizing a motor to rotate a transmission which rotates the tube;(k) supporting the transmission with a stationary block and a bearing assembly located between the transmission and the block;(l) heating crushed rock in the kiln to make clinker;(m) receiving signals from a first set of sensors located adjacent the block and operably sensing vibrations of at least one of: (a) the tube, (b) the transmission, and (c) the bearing assembly;(n) receiving signals from a second set of sensors located adjacent the motor and operably sensing vibrations of at least one of: (a) the motor and (b) the transmission;(o) using the software instructions to determine if an undesired rotational imbalance is occurring within the kiln machine and if an undesired rotational bearing condition is occurring within the kiln machine; and(p) visually displaying a simulated representation of the kiln machine and a sensor indication image. 49. The method of claim 48, further comprising using an evolutionary learning calculation to assist in making the probable cause identification. 50. The method of claim 48, further comprising transmitting sensed data from a central processing unit, associated with a central control room, to a hand-held electronic data collector, the central processing unit running the software instructions.