Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-04-17
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
C073S658000, C073S661000, C073S04050A, C073S660000, C073S593000, 36
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216539
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to monitoring ultrasonic sound waves emanating from a mechanical system. The invention is more particularly directed to a device that determines appropriate measurement parameters to use in configuring an ultrasonic measurement instrument based upon the type of mechanical system to be monitored.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most industrial processes, including almost all sources of friction, create some ultrasonic noise. For example, leaks in pipes, machinery defects, and electrical arcing produce ultrasonic sound waves. When the intensity of such ultrasonic noise exceeds an expected or “normal” level, this is an indication of a possible fault in the mechanical or electrical system. Thus, by continuously or periodically monitoring the intensity of ultrasonic noise produced by industrial machinery, maintenance personnel can detect faults and initiate appropriate repairs.
Current ultrasonic measurement instruments employ electroacoustical transducers to convert ultrasonic sound waves into ultrasonic electrical signals. Most of these instruments include circuitry that converts the ultrasonic electrical signals into audio-frequency electrical signals that are within the range of frequencies that can be detected by the human ear. The typical instruments employ headphones that convert the audio electrical signals into sound for an operator to hear.
The SonicScan ultrasonic measurement instrument, manufactured by Computational Systems, Inc., converts the ultrasonic electrical signals into digital electrical signals that can be displayed to the operator in a digital format and stored in computer memory. It is controlled by a microprocessor, and can be programmed to perform ultrasonic measurements that are specifically tailored to detect a specific type of fault on a particular type of machine or at a particular location on a machine. Further, the microprocessor can be programmed to configure the instrument for optimum performance with different types of transducers, such as contact and noncontact transducers.
As described in a pending application (U.S. Ser. No. 09/073,276, filed May 5, 1998), the SonicScan instrument system employs a route-based ultrasonic monitoring method. The system preferably uses a central computer that stores testing information concerning which machines to test, such as within a manufacturing plant, and that stores measurement parameters used to configure a portable ultrasonic sensing instrument. At the appropriate time, the testing information is loaded from the central computer into a portable, hand-held processing and storage unit, such as a personal data assistant (PDA). An operator is then prompted by the PDA to proceed to a test location. Once at the test location, the PDA provides the testing information and measurement parameters to the portable ultrasonic sensing instrument. The test is then performed by the operator with the portable ultrasonic sensing instrument, and the test results are downloaded from the portable sensing instrument to the PDA. Once all the tests along a particular route of testing locations have been performed, the test results are downloaded from the PDA to the central computer. In this manner, the results of the most recent set of tests can be compared to the results of previous tests to determine whether any machinery defects are present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The route-based system described above provides an advantageous means for guiding an operator along a testing route and configuring a portable ultrasonic instrument to perform the appropriate tests at each machine along the route.
The present invention is an improvement that aids an operator in the field in determining, based on the type of mechanical system to be tested, what type of ultrasonic monitoring should be performed for effective fault detection.
Also, it guides the operator in selecting appropriate measurement parameters to configure an ultrasonic sensing instrument in the field for making ultrasonic measurements.
It further stores a record of the types and locations of the machines that are tested, and stores the measurement parameters that are used in configuring the ultrasonic sensing instrument for each measurement.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method determines ultrasonic measurement parameters of ultrasonic measurements to be performed on a mechanical system, where the ultrasonic measurements are to be performed using a portable ultrasonic measurement device. The ultrasonic measurement parameters include information used in configuring the portable ultrasonic measurement device to make the ultrasonic measurements. The measurement parameters are used to configure an ultrasonic measurement device that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure ultrasonic characteristics of the mechanical system. The ultrasonic characteristics are indicative of an operating condition of the mechanical system.
The apparatus includes a processor for generating user instruction messages. The user instruction messages query a user of the apparatus concerning specific characteristics of the mechanical system on which the ultrasonic measurements are to be performed. The user instruction messages also provide response options from which the user chooses in responding to the instruction messages. The apparatus also includes a user communication device connected to the processor. The user communication device receives the user instruction messages generated by the processor, and communicates the user instruction messages to the user. Also connected to the processor is a user input device that enables the user to choose from among the response options, and generates user input signals based upon response options chosen by the user. The processor receives the user input signals and selects the ultrasonic measurement parameters to be measured based on the user input signals. A memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing the ultrasonic measurement parameters. The apparatus also includes an interface connected to the processor for receiving the ultrasonic measurement parameters from the processor. The interface is capable of transferring the ultrasonic measurement parameters from the processor to the portable ultrasonic measurement device.
Thus, the present invention assists the user of the ultrasonic measurement device in determining, particularly in the field, the appropriate set of measurement parameters to use in configuring the ultrasonic measurement device. The apparatus and method does so by querying the user about the type of mechanical system to be tested, and then determining the appropriate parameters based upon the user's responses to the queries. Therefore, the user does not have to possess specialized knowledge concerning how to configure the ultrasonic measurement device for making the measurement. The user only needs to know the type of mechanical system on which the measurement is to be performed.
Further, once the ultrasonic measurement parameters have been determined, the present invention enables the user to configure the ultrasonic measurement device by downloading the measurement parameters to the measurement device via the interface. The user can also download the measurement parameters to a central computer.
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Battenberg Rexford A.
Johnson William S.
CSI Technology, Inc.
Fayyaz Nashmiya
Luedeka Neely & Graham P.C.
Williams Hezron
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