Patent Publication Number: US-2010115157-A1

Title: Modular data collection module with standard communication  interface

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a data collection module and, more particularly, to a data collection module that is modular in design and is configured to connect to various host devices by means of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. 
     Machine condition monitoring has expanded in recent years to include portable data collection. This is typically accomplished by means of a handheld host device that is tethered to transducers or measurement sensors by one or more cables. The transducers are temporarily or permanently mounted at specified points on industrial machinery at a customer&#39;s site to measure parameters such as vibration, temperature, or other process variables. These parameters are stored and trended over time to help in the diagnosis of fault conditions and planning for machine repairs so that the availability of a machine can be improved. 
     Today, these measurement types have been expanded so that multiple pieces of portable equipment are required to capture all of the data available to assess the condition or “health” of machines. These devices include items such as speed sensors, infrared temperature guns, thermal imaging cameras, and current transformers. For the most part, each piece of additional equipment captures data in its own format that is independent of the portable data collector. The information has to be correlated into a single platform to effectively evaluate and manage the machines condition. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a modular data collection module is provided. The modular data collection modules includes a data collection module configured to condition and sample signals from one or more of a plurality of measuring devices that operably detect the condition of a machine, the data collection module includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface configured to interchangeably connect the data collection module to at least one of a plurality of host platforms forming an integrated data collection unit. 
     In another embodiment, a data collection system is provided. The system includes a modular data collection module having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, the data collection module configured to process signals from one or more of a plurality of measuring devices that operably detect the condition or state of a machine or process; and a host platform coupled to the modular data collection module via the USB interface forming an integrated data collection unit, the host platform configured to enable a user to control the operations of the modular data collection module. 
     In yet another embodiment, a data collection system is provided. The system includes a modular data collection module having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, the modular data collection module configured to process signals from one or more of a plurality of measuring devices that operably detect the condition of a machine, the modular data collection module further including at least one signal input port configured to connect to one or more of the plurality of measuring devices, each of the plurality of measuring devices being configured to enable the performance of at least one of a number of measurements; and a hand-held host platform coupled to the data collection module via the USB interface, the hand-held host platform configured to enable a user to control the operations of the modular data collection module. 
     These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a modular data collection module in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of a data collection system with the modular data collection module being connected to a host platform via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of a portable hand-held device used as the host platform for the data collection module in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic of the portable hand-held device being connected to the data collection module by a mounting slot built into a housing of the portable hand-held device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are directed to a data collection module that is modular in design such that the data collection module can be connected to various host devices (e.g., laptop, desktop, etc.) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This modular approach separates the data collection hardware from the host platform such that one of various application-specific data collection modules can be interchangeably connected to one of various host platforms thereby forming an integrated data collection unit or system. These embodiments allow for flexibility and scalability of the portable data collection module by having a data collection module that interfaces to a host platform via an industry standard interface, such as the Universal Serial Bus (USB), in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Further in these embodiments, additional data collection modules can be developed for different measurement collection types (e.g., temperature, motor current, etc.). Utilizing the industry standard interface allows these additional modules to be connected to various host devices. For example, a user can connect the data collection module to a desktop or laptop computer running the accompanying application software for the data collection instead of using the portable handheld host. 
     For a better understanding of the invention and its operation, turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a data collection module  10  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the data collection module  10  is modular in design and includes an interface  12  for connecting the data collection module  10  to various host devices, such as host platform  14 . In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the interface  12  for connecting the data collection module  10  to various host platforms is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. As such, the data collection module  10  can be connected to the host platform  14  via the USB interface, which can effectively form an integrated data collection unit or system  16  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. Of course, the interface  12  can be a direct connection between the data collection module  10  and the host platform  14  by mechanical attachment using an electrical connector or by a cable between the data collection module  10  and the host platform  14 . The data collection system  16  is better illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In one embodiment, the data collection module  10  is a dynamic signal input module (DSIM), a rugged electronic assembly that mates to and communicates with the host platform  14 . In one embodiment, the data collection module  10  is a signal-processing device configured to process data relating to the condition of a machine or process. The data collection module  10  includes a signal processor  18  for conditioning and sampling signals and performing various measurements on the signals. The signal processor  18  can be any conventional processing unit configured for carrying out the methods and/or functions described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the signal processor  18  comprises a combination of hardware and/or software/firmware with a application program that, when loaded and executed, permits the signal processor  18  to operate such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the data collection module  10  further includes signal input ports  20  configured to power and receive signals from one or more of a plurality of measuring devices  22  (e.g., accelerometer, transducer, etc.) that may vary in nature and operation.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate five signal input ports  20  on the data collection module  10 . However, it should be understood that the number of signal input ports  20  on the data collection module  10  could vary depending on the application, its type, and the required signal conditioning circuit inside the data collection module  10 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the data collection module  10  can be at least one of many different application-specific data collection type devices for receiving signals from the plurality of measuring devices  22  to detect the condition of a machine or process depending on the application. For example, the data collection module  10  can be configured or developed to sample and collect raw analog vibration signals, which are often indicative of the condition of a machine, from a transducer and take those raw vibration signals and perform various measurements on the same. For example, the data collection module  10  can perform digital filtering on the raw vibration signals. Of course, the data collection module  10  can be developed for different measurement collection types (e.g., temperature, motor current, etc.) and should not be limited to the configurations described herein. Further, the data collection module  10  can perform other measurements, such as decimation on conditioned signals, and should not be limited to the examples set forth herein. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the data collection module  10  is connected to one or more of the plurality of measuring devices  22  through a connecting means, such as a field detachable cable  24 . In particular, one end of the field detachable cable  24  is received by one of the signal input ports  20  of the data collection module  10  while another end is connected to one of the measuring devices  22  as shown. Of course, other connecting means can be used to connect the data collection module  10  to one or more of the plurality of measuring devices  22  such that the data collection module  10  is capable of powering and receiving signals from one or more of the plurality of measuring devices  22 . The plurality of measuring devices  16  can include transmitters, transducers, accelerometers, eddy current proximity probes, industrial temperature probes, or any other device that is capable of generating a measured signal. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the host platform  14  can be one of various types of host platforms. The host platform  14  is a platform for enabling a user to control the operations of collecting and analyzing data through the data collection module  10 . In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the host platform is a portable hand-held device configured to collect different types of performance and process related information from industrial machinery (e.g., pumps, motors, gearboxes, etc.) or processes as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the portable handheld device comprises a housing  26  with a multiple part design made from a die cast magnesium, aluminum, or molded plastic in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. The portable device also includes a base  28  designed to allow for the data collection module  10  and future data collection modules with the same package dimensions to mate to it. In one embodiment, the host may include various command buttons (not shown) for controlling the operations of the data collection module  10  and a display screen (not shown) for viewing the collected or analyzed data. 
     The data collection module  10  can be connected to the host by mechanical attachment. In accordance with one exemplary configuration, the data collection module  10  can be connected to the host by a mounting slot (not shown) built into the housing  26  or the back of the of the host platform as shown in  FIG. 4 . In another embodiment, the data collection module  10  is connected to the portable device (e.g., laptop or desktop) via the USB interface  12 . Specifically, the data collection module  10  and the portable handheld device each includes a USB mating connector  30  that are configured to mate with one another. The portable device configuration shown in  FIG. 3  is exemplary in nature and should not be limiting. Although the host platform  14  is discussed in the context of a portable device, it should be understood that other types of host platforms can be used in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     For example, in another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the host platform  14  is a laptop or desktop computer. Of course, other types of host platforms can be used in other exemplary embodiments and should not be limited to those described herein. In one embodiment, the data collection module  10  is connected to the host platform  14  by means of an interface cable. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the host platform  14  includes a USB connector  32  configured to receive at least one auxiliary attachment  34 , such as an infrared temperature and laser tachometer, thermal imaging device, a global positioning system (GPS) and barcode scanner, etc, that can be operated in conjunction with the data collection module  10  in accordance with one embodiment. Of course, auxiliary attachment  34  can be operated separate from the data collection module  10  in other exemplary embodiments. The USB interface  12  of the data collection module  10  enables the data collection module  10  to receive signals from the auxiliary attachment  34  when the data collection module  10  is connected to the host platform  14  and the auxiliary attachment  34  is connected to the USB connector  32  of the host platform  14 . 
     In the exemplary embodiments above, a single host platform can be used to interface with multiple application-specific data collection modules, where each data collection module can be designed for a specific measurement type. Further modules can be developed to interface with existing host platforms as the need arises. For example, customer A can use a general purpose host device (ie laptop, desktop, tablet or ultra mobile PC) to interface to the data collection module while customer B, who must collect data in a hazardous (classified) area must interface to the data collection module with a host device that is approved for use in that area. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.