Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Mechanical measurement system
Patent
1996-09-26
1999-04-06
Barlow, John
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Mechanical measurement system
702 42, 36447001, 36447014, 36447601, G06F 1546
Patent
active
058930477
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to monitoring apparatus and method. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable to monitoring cyclic systems, that is systems such as machines that carry out repetitive tasks, although in the preferred arrangement it is not necessary that they carry out only one task so long as there is a limited number of tasks that will each be repeated in time. Other cyclic systems may comprise tidal or river or flow, or cyclic use of a car park, station or the like.
In the case of cyclic machines (such as robots, machine tools, packaging machines, photocopiers) it may be possible to monitor each component of a multicomponent cyclic apparatus individually, for example monitor the movement of each ram in a pneumatic apparatus, but this requires many monitoring transducers and is expensive and in any case control of such a monitoring apparatus is difficult.
The present invention provides, according to one aspect, a method of monitoring a cyclic system comprising a plurality of cyclic means, comprising measuring a single parameter for the complete cyclic system, and, during a learning mode, cycling the cyclic system a plural number of times, and from the measured value of the parameter, providing a range of acceptable values, and during a subsequent monitoring mode comparing the measured value of said parameter with said range of values, and providing an output signal if the measured value of the parameter is outside said range of values.
The present invention provides, according to another aspect, a monitoring apparatus for monitoring a cyclic system comprising; (for example, air or fluid flow in a pneumatic or hydraulic system, current in an electrical system, sound in a mechanical system, temperature, any key supply supplied to all parts of the apparatus or a digital image); predetermined points in the cycle of the cyclic system; amplitude, time from the start of the cycle, time from the previous detected point in the cycle, rate of change of amplitude, direction, relationship with signals relating to other parameters detected at the same or different times) relating to the output signal from said transducer means at said predetermined points in the cycle; point in the cycle the value (normally, the averaged value from a plurality of cycles) of the output signals detected with the range of values for that point, range (which may be used to provide an indication, normally after the error continues for a predetermined time).
Whilst the apparatus may be used to monitor a simple cyclic apparatus such as a single motor or ram, it is preferably used to monitor a multicomponent cyclic apparatus such as a robot or machine tool which includes many components such as rams by monitoring a parameter (a "key supply") common to all parts, such as the overall flow of air or hydraulic fluid to the apparatus or electric power supplied or by monitoring a digital (e.g. video) image of the system.
Particularly where the parameter being measured is air, fluid, or current flow, the monitoring apparatus can be arranged so as not to interfere with the operation of the cyclic apparatus. The non-invasive nature of the monitoring apparatus can be particularly important because it means that it can be applied to a pre-existing system or a predesigned system without any particular modification. For example where air flow is to be measured, it is simply a matter of installing in the air supply line to the cyclic apparatus a flow transducer or if an electric current is to be measured, simply providing a electrical current sensor in the current supply to the apparatus so that a current flow signal can be tapped off.
Furthermore, because the monitoring apparatus does not require pre-existing information regarding the cyclic system to which it is to be attached, the same monitoring apparatus may be used for a variety of cyclic apparatus. The monitoring apparatus will learn during its learning mode all of the details of the operation of the cyclic apparatus which it requires to know. Thus the same monitoring apparat
REFERENCES:
patent: 4550278 (1985-10-01), Yamanaka
patent: 4553321 (1985-11-01), Zihlmann et al.
patent: 4559828 (1985-12-01), Liszka
patent: 4587670 (1986-05-01), Levinson et al.
patent: 4744227 (1988-05-01), Whitener, Jr. et al.
patent: 4786908 (1988-11-01), Runnalls
patent: 4812995 (1989-03-01), Girgis et al.
patent: 4835699 (1989-05-01), Mallard
patent: 4979487 (1990-12-01), Fukui
patent: 4987528 (1991-01-01), O'Brien
patent: 5029212 (1991-07-01), Yoshida
patent: 5067099 (1991-11-01), McCown et al.
patent: 5136499 (1992-08-01), Rydborn
patent: 5225988 (1993-07-01), Barea
patent: 5228061 (1993-07-01), Newby et al.
Essam Derek Mark
Gimblett Christopher Francis
Barlow John
Drallium Industries, Ltd
Vo Hien
LandOfFree
Monitoring apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Monitoring apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Monitoring apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1381113