Device for counting number of mechanical cycles carried out by moving part moving cyclically, associated method and aircraft

Abstract

A device (1) for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion comprises: a storage module (4) for storing the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part; a detection module (3) for detecting a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part, the detection module being able to incrementally increase the number of times stored in the storage module (4); and an on-demand transfer module (5) for transferring the stored number of times, the on-demand transfer module being able to retrieve the number of times stored in the storage module (4), the detection module (3) comprising a piezoelectric generator (6) configured to determine the execution of the mechanical cycle by the moving part, and the on-demand transfer module (5) comprising an RFID tag (12) configured to identify the execution of the mechanical cycle by the moving part. The RFID tag is equipped with an antenna (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to data acquisition systems in the field of aviation, and more particularly to a device for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to such a counting device that requires neither on-board batteries nor wired connections. Existing technology

[0003] The environment of an aircraft engine is very crowded and includes many devices that need to be monitored, whether for maintenance of the aircraft, to assist in control, or to help diagnose possible technical problems.

[0004] To monitor these devices, sensors are installed in the engine environment to detect and retrieve data related to the observed devices. These sensors must meet several constraints, including size constraints to facilitate integration into the engine environment, and location constraints that require the sensors to be located close to the devices to collect the data.

[0005] So-called “passive” sensors that do not require onboard batteries or wired connections have been developed to meet these constraints.

[0006] These sensors rely primarily on two technologies.

[0007] The first is piezoelectric technology. A piezoelectric sensor consists of a piezoelectric generator that converts mechanical force into an electrical current.

[0008] The second technology is radio identification, commonly called RFID, which stands for the English term “radio-frequency identification.” This technology works using an RFID tag and an RFID reader that transmits electromagnetic waves, such as query requests to the RFID tag.

[0009] So-called "passive" RFID tags operate without an onboard battery and wired connection and derive their energy from electromagnetic waves emitted by the RFID reader. RFID technology allows for the measurement of various data, such as temperature, voltage, humidity or pressure.

[0010] Among the sensors used in the aviation industry, so-called counting sensors are used to count the number of mechanical cycles performed by a cyclically moving component (i.e., a component that periodically performs the same movement). A mechanical cycle is understood to be a movement or part of a movement that is periodically performed by a component in the same manner. For example, a mechanical cycle of a component that performs circular movement around a center point could be one complete rotation around the center point of the component.

[0011] The main drawback of sensors using piezoelectric technology is that they are activated only when mechanical force is applied to the piezoelectric generator. Consequently, such sensors do not allow for post-hoc or on-demand verification of the number of mechanical cycles performed by a component. Consequently, wireless or battery-powered counting sensors using piezoelectric technology are not sufficiently reliable.

[0012] Furthermore, the nature of passive RFID tags means they can only operate when an RFID reader is emitting electromagnetic waves. In fact, if an event to be counted by a counting sensor using RFID technology occurs when the tag is not being interrogated by an RFID reader, the event cannot be detected and counted by the tag.

[0013] Therefore, there is no solution for a device for counting the number of cycles performed by a component in cyclical motion that requires neither an on-board battery nor a wired connection.

[0014] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide such a counting device.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention relates to a device for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part performing a cyclic movement, the device comprising: a storage module for storing the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part; a detection module for detecting the mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, the detection module being capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module; and an on-demand transmission module for transmitting the stored number, the on-demand transmission module being capable of retrieving the number stored in the storage module.

[0016] The detection module includes a piezoelectric generator configured to determine the execution of a mechanical cycle by a moving part, and the on-demand transmission module includes an RFID tag equipped with an antenna.

[0017] Advantageously, the piezoelectric generator comprises a contact key configured to transmit a force exerted by the moving part during a mechanical cycle to an input of the piezoelectric generator.

[0018] Preferably, the detection module for detecting a mechanical cycle performed by a moving part comprises a first voltage regulator, a first reset system, a first internal clock and a first calculator capable of incrementing a number stored in the storage module.

[0019] Advantageously, the first voltage regulator receives the current generated by the piezoelectric generator at an input terminal and provides a DC voltage at an output terminal for powering the first calculator.

[0020] Preferably, the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag and includes a second counter configured to retrieve the count stored in the memory module and transmit the retrieved count upon receipt of a valid query request by the RFID tag. The present invention also relates to a method for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part undergoing cyclical motion, which method can be implemented by a counting device as defined above, comprising a first voltage regulator, a first reset system, a first internal clock, and a first counter.

[0021] The counting method includes the following steps:

[0022] - activation of the piezoelectric generator by the movement of the moving part,

[0023] - generation of electric current by a piezoelectric generator,

[0024] - transmitting the generated current to the first voltage regulator,

[0025] - transmitting the generated current to the first reset system,

[0026] - a first voltage regulator provides a DC voltage to the first internal clock and the first calculator,

[0027] - sending time information from the first internal clock to the first calculator,

[0028] - initializing or resetting the first calculator,

[0029] - the number of times stored in the storage module is retrieved by the first calculator, and

[0030] - Incrementing the stored number of times retrieved by the first calculator.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for transmitting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclical motion, which method can be implemented by a counting device as described above and which comprises an antenna and a second counter.

[0032] The transmission method includes the following steps:

[0033] - receiving, by the antenna, a query request related to the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, the query request being issued by the RFID reader,

[0034] - Process the query request,

[0035] - retrieving the stored number of times in the storage module by the second calculator,

[0036] - preparing, by the second calculator, a response to the query request, the response comprising the stored number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part retrieved from the storage module.

[0037] - Transmitting the prepared response by the antenna to the RFID reader.

[0038] Advantageously, the step of processing the query request includes the following sub-steps:

[0039] - Transmission of query requests from the antenna to the converter and demodulator,

[0040] -demodulate the query request,

[0041] - the converter supplies power to the second voltage regulator and the second reset system,

[0042] - the second clock and the second calculator are powered by a second voltage regulator,

[0043] - sending time information by the second internal clock to the second calculator,

[0044] - sending an initialization or reset signal by the second reset system to the second calculator,

[0045] - initializing or resetting the second calculator,

[0046] - transmitting the demodulated request to the second computer, and

[0047] -Verify the validity of the query request.

[0048] Preferably, the step of transmitting the prepared response to the RFID reader comprises the following sub-steps:

[0049] - transmitting, by the second calculator, to the inverse modulator, a prepared response containing the retrieved stored number of times,

[0050] - this response is modulated by an inverse modulator,

[0051] - Transmitting the modulated response by the antenna to the RFID reader.

[0052] Finally, the invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a counting device as defined above, capable of implementing a counting method as defined above and / or a transmission method as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given only as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] [ Figure 1 ] shows a device according to the invention for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a component performing cyclical movement;

[0055] [ Figure 2 ] schematically shows Figure 1 device;

[0056] [ Figure 3 ] shows Figure 1 A plan view of the device;

[0057] [ Figure 4 ] schematically shows the Figure 1 The device realizes the exchange of electrical signals when the counting method according to the present invention is implemented; and

[0058] [ Figure 5 ] schematically shows the Figure 1 The device implements the exchange of electrical signals when the method for transmitting count values ​​according to the present invention;

[0059] [ Figure 6 ] schematically illustrates the steps of a method for counting the number of cycles executed according to the present invention; and

[0060] [ Figure 7 ] schematically illustrates the steps of a method according to the present invention for transmitting the counted number of executed cycles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 A device 1 for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclical motion and a long-range radio identification reader, referred to as a long-range RFID reader 2 , are shown.

[0062] The moving parts are, for example, mechanical elements of aircraft parts that perform cyclic motions (ie, repeatedly perform the same motion). The moving parts are not shown in the figures.

[0063] Figure 2 Schematically shows a counting device 1, Figure 3 The counting device 1 is shown seen from above.

[0064] The counting device 1 includes: a detection module 3, which is used to detect the mechanical cycles performed by the moving part; a storage module 4, which is used to store the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part; and an on-demand transmission module 5, which is used to transmit the number stored in the storage module 4, and the on-demand transmission module 5 transmits the number of mechanical cycles in response to a query request sent by the remote RFID reader 2.

[0065] The module 3 for detecting the mechanical cycles performed can increment the times stored in the storage module 4 , and the module 5 for transmitting the stored times on demand can retrieve the times stored in the storage module 4 .

[0066] Therefore, the storage module 4 is directly connected to the detection module 3 on the one hand and to the on-demand transmission module 5 on the other hand.

[0067] The module 3 for detecting the mechanical cycles performed comprises a piezoelectric generator 6 equipped with a contact key 7. The piezoelectric generator 6 generates an electric current as a function of a sufficiently high mechanical force to which the contact key 7 is subjected.

[0068] The moving part executes a cyclic mechanical movement adapted to the current generated by the piezoelectric generator 6. In other words, the moving part repeatedly executes a periodic spatial movement during which it comes into contact with the key 7 of the piezoelectric generator 6. The piezoelectric generator 6 is thus configured to determine the execution of the mechanical cycle executed by the moving part.

[0069] The detection module 3 also comprises a first voltage regulator 8 , a first integrated circuit reset system 9 , a first internal clock 10 and a first calculator 11 capable of increasing the times stored in the storage module 4 .

[0070] The first voltage regulator 8 is directly connected to the output terminal of the piezoelectric generator 6 , so that the piezoelectric generator 6 can transfer the generated current to the first voltage regulator 8 .

[0071] The first voltage regulator 8 is connected at its output to a first internal clock 10 on the one hand and to a first calculator 11 on the other hand.

[0072] Thus, the first voltage regulator 8 receives at its input the current generated by the piezoelectric generator 6 and provides at its output a DC voltage suitable for powering the first calculator 11 and the first internal clock 10 .

[0073] The first reset system 9 of the calculator is also directly connected to the output of the piezoelectric generator 6 so that the piezoelectric generator 6 transmits the generated current to the input of the first reset system 9. The first reset system 9 is also directly connected to the first calculator 11 at the output.

[0074] The first reset system 9 is a system also called PoR (abbreviation of the English term “Power-on Reset”), and is configured to initialize or reset the first calculator 11 when current is applied to the system 9 .

[0075] Therefore, the first reset system 9 receives as input the current generated by the piezoelectric generator 6 and resets the first calculator 11 .

[0076] The first internal clock 10 is configured to send time information to the first calculator 11 in order to allow synchronization of tasks performed by the first calculator 11 .

[0077] The first calculator 11 is an integrated circuit capable of looking up the number of times stored in the storage module 4, incrementing the number of times, and writing the incremented number of times in the storage module 4. Therefore, the first calculator 11 is directly connected to the storage module 4.

[0078] The counting means 1 , more specifically the detection module 3 , count the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part in cyclical motion.

[0079] Figure 6 The steps of a method implemented by a detection module for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclical motion are shown.

[0080] In a first step 601, the piezoelectric generator 6 is activated by the movement of the moving part performing the mechanical cycles to be counted. More specifically, the contact key 7 is placed in the path of the moving part performing the cyclic movement, thereby applying a mechanical force large enough to generate current to the piezoelectric generator 6.

[0081] In the next step 602 , the piezoelectric generator 6 generates an electric current and transmits the electric current to the first voltage regulator 8 (step 603 ) and the first reset system 9 (step 604 ).

[0082] In step 605 , the first voltage regulator 8 is activated due to the supply of current, and converts the current received as input into a DC voltage as output.

[0083] In step 606 , the first voltage regulator 8 supplies a DC voltage in parallel, on the one hand, to the first internal clock 10 and, on the other hand, to the first computer 11 .

[0084] At the same time, that is, when the first voltage regulator 8 supplies power to the first calculator 11 and the internal clock 10, the first internal clock 10 sends time information (step 607), and the first reset system 9 sends an initialization or reset signal to the first calculator 11 (step 608), thereby allowing the calculator 11 to be initialized (step 609).

[0085] During a next step 610 , the first calculator 11 then retrieves the count of executed cycles stored in the storage module 4 , increments the retrieved number (step 611 ) and writes the incremented number in the storage module 4 (step 612 ).

[0086] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 Device implementation Figure 6 The counting method shown in is the exchange of electrical signals.

[0087] The module 5 for transmitting the stored times on demand comprises a radio identification tag, known as an RFID tag 12 , which is equipped with an antenna 13 .

[0088] Antenna 13 Figure 1 For clarity, the antenna is not included in other figures.

[0089] The antenna 13 is an antenna commonly used in the field of radio identification. Therefore, the antenna 13 can receive electromagnetic waves transmitted by an RFID reader (not shown) and convert the received electromagnetic waves into electrical signals.

[0090] The RFID tag 12 is a conventional passive RFID tag, ie, it has no onboard battery and is powered solely by electromagnetic waves emitted by a remote RFID reader and picked up by the antenna 13 .

[0091] The RFID tag 12 includes a demodulator 14 , a converter 15 , a second voltage regulator 16 , a second calculator 17 , a second system 18 for resetting the second calculator 17 , a second internal clock 19 , and an inverse modulator 20 .

[0092] The demodulator 14 and the converter 15 are both directly connected to the output terminal of the antenna 13 , so that the antenna 13 transmits the electrical signal generated by the electromagnetic wave to the input terminals of the demodulator 14 and the converter 15 .

[0093] The converter 15 converts the electrical signal received by the antenna 13 into direct current. The converter 15 outputs the converted direct current to the second voltage regulator 16 on the one hand and to the second reset system 18 on the other hand in parallel.

[0094] Therefore, the second voltage regulator 16 is directly connected to the output of the converter 15 , so that the converter 15 delivers current to the second voltage regulator 16 .

[0095] The second voltage regulator 16 is connected at its output to a second internal clock 19 on the one hand and to a second calculator 17 on the other hand.

[0096] The second voltage regulator 16 thus receives at its input the current generated by the converter 15 and is able to deliver at its output a DC voltage suitable for supplying the second calculator 17 and the second internal clock 19 .

[0097] The second system 18 for resetting the second calculator is also directly connected to the output of the converter 15 so that the converter 15 delivers the generated current to the input of the second reset system 18. The second reset system 18 is also directly connected to the second calculator 17 at the output.

[0098] The second reset system 18 is similar to the first reset system 9 , ie it comprises a system of the known PoR type (abbreviation of the English term “Power-on Reset”) capable of initializing or resetting the second calculator 17 when an electric current is applied to the second system 18 .

[0099] Therefore, the second reset system 18 receives as input the current generated by the converter 15 and resets the second calculator 17 .

[0100] The demodulator 14 is connected at an input to the antenna 13 and at an output to a second calculator 17 .

[0101] The demodulator 14 demodulates the electrical signal received by the antenna 13 and provides the demodulated signal to the input terminal of the second calculator 17. That is, the demodulator 14 continuously converts and demodulates the signal received by the antenna 13 and sends it to the second calculator 17.

[0102] The second internal clock 19 is directly connected to the second calculator 17 and is configured to send time information to the second calculator 17 in order to allow synchronization of tasks performed by the second calculator 17 .

[0103] The second calculator 17 is an integrated circuit capable of retrieving the number of times stored in the memory module 4 and transmitting the retrieved stored number of times when a correct query request is received by the RFID tag 12. In other words, the second calculator 17 is capable of preparing a response to a query request sent by the RFID reader, the query request being related to the stored number of cycles performed by the moving part.

[0104] Therefore, the second calculator 17 is directly connected to the storage module 4 and the inverse modulator 20 .

[0105] The inverse modulator 20 is a component known from passive RFID tags and is intended to modulate the response prepared by the second calculator 17 using the wave received from the RFID reader and picked up by the antenna 13 .

[0106] Therefore, the inverse modulator 20 is directly connected to the antenna 13 and provides the modulated response as an output to the antenna 13. The antenna 13 is capable of emitting electromagnetic waves and sending the modulated response to the RFID reader.

[0107] The counting device 1 , and more particularly the module 5 for transmitting the stored number on demand, ensures the transmission of the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part in cyclical motion.

[0108] Figure 7 The steps of such a method for transmitting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part performing a cyclical movement are shown.

[0109] During a first step 711, the antenna 13 receives as input the electromagnetic waves emitted by the RFID reader 2. The received electromagnetic waves comprise a request issued by the RFID reader 2 to inquire about the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part.

[0110] During a subsequent phase 72 of the method, the query request is processed by the counting device 1 and more specifically by the on-demand transmission module 5. More precisely, during phase 72 of the processing of the query request by the on-demand transmission module 5, the antenna 13 transmits the electrical signal generated by the received electromagnetic waves simultaneously to the inputs of the demodulator 14 and the converter 15 (step 721), and then, in a second step 722 of phase 72, the demodulator 14 continuously demodulates the query request.

[0111] In parallel with the step 722 of continuous demodulation by the demodulator 14, the converter 15 simultaneously supplies power to the second voltage regulator 16 and the second reset system 18 (step 723).

[0112] Then, the second voltage regulator 16 supplies power to the second clock 19 and the second calculator 17 simultaneously (step 724).

[0113] The second clock 19 sends time information (step 725), while the second reset system 18 sends an initialization or reset signal to the second calculator 17 (step 726), thereby allowing the second calculator 17 to be initialized or reset (step 727).

[0114] The demodulated query request is then sent by demodulator 14 to second calculator 17 (step 728). Second calculator 17 then checks the validity of the query request demodulated by demodulator 14 (step 729). In particular, this involves checking that the request is indeed intended for RFID tag 12 and that it contains a valid query regarding the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part. Verification step 729 is the final step of phase 72.

[0115] If the demodulated request is valid, the second calculator 17 retrieves the number stored in the storage module 4 corresponding to the number of cycles performed by the moving part and counted by the counting means 1 (step 73 ).

[0116] During a next step 74, the second calculator prepares a response to the query request transmitted by the RFID reader 2. More specifically, the response prepared by the second calculator 17 includes the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, which is retrieved and stored in the module 4. Finally, the antenna 13 transmits the response prepared in step 74 to the RFID reader 2 (stage 75), which includes the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, which is retrieved and stored in step 73.

[0117] To this end, the response prepared in step 74 is sent by the second calculator 17 to the reverse modulator 20 (step 751), which then converts the response into a modulated signal called a reverse modulated response (step 752) and sends the reverse modulated response to the RFID reader 2 via the antenna 13 (step 753).

[0118] Figure 5 Shown Figure 1 Device implementation Figure 7 The transmission method shown in is the exchange of electrical signals.

[0119] Therefore, the counting device 1 combines radio identification and piezoelectric technology to propose a sensor for counting mechanical cycles performed by a moving part that performs cyclical movement, the counting of which is reliable and continuously queryable, and the sensor requires neither an on-board battery nor a wired connection for data transmission and power supply.

Claims

1. A device (1) for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part performing a cyclical movement, comprising: a storage module (4) for storing the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part; A detection module (3) for detecting a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part, the detection module being capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module (4); an on-demand transmission module (5) for transmitting the stored number, the on-demand transmission module being capable of retrieving the number stored in the storage module (4), characterized in that the detection module (3) comprises a piezoelectric generator (6) configured to determine the execution of a mechanical cycle by the moving part, and the on-demand transmission module (5) comprises an RFID tag (12) equipped with an antenna (13).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein The piezoelectric generator (6) comprises a contact key (7) configured to transmit the force exerted by the moving part during a mechanical cycle to an input of the piezoelectric generator (6).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein The detection module (3) for detecting a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part comprises a first voltage regulator (8), a first reset system (9), a first internal clock (10) and a first calculator (11) capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module (4).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein The first voltage regulator (8) receives the current generated by the piezoelectric generator (6) at an input terminal and provides a DC voltage at an output terminal to power the first calculator (11).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The RFID tag (12) is a passive RFID tag and includes a second calculator (17) configured to retrieve the number of times stored in the storage module (4) and transmit the retrieved number of times when the RFID tag (12) receives a correct query request.

6. A method for counting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclical motion, said method being implementable by a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device (1) comprising a first voltage regulator (8), a first reset system (9), a first internal clock (10) and a first counter (11), said method comprising the following steps: - activating (601) the piezoelectric generator (6) by the movement of the moving part, - generating (602) an electric current by said piezoelectric generator (6), - transmitting (603) the generated current to the first voltage regulator (8), - transmitting (604) said generated current to said first reset system (9), - providing (606) a DC voltage to the first internal clock (10) and the first calculator (11) by the first voltage regulator (8), - sending (607) time information by the first internal clock (10) to the first calculator (11), - initializing or resetting (609) said first calculator (11), - retrieving (610) said number stored in said storage module (4) by said first calculator (11), - Incrementing (611) said stored number of times retrieved by said first counter (11).

7. A method for transmitting the number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclical motion, said method being implementable by a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device comprising an antenna (13) and a second calculator (17), said method comprising the following steps: - receiving (71) by said antenna (13) a query request, said query request being related to said number of mechanical cycles performed by said moving part, said request being issued by an RFID reader, - processing (72) said query request, - retrieving (73) said number of times stored in said storage module (4) by said second calculator (17), - preparing (74) by said second calculator (17) a response to said query request, said response comprising said number of mechanical cycles performed by said moving part stored and retrieved in said storage module. - transmitting (75) the prepared response by the antenna (13) to the RFID reader.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The step of processing (72) the query request comprises the following sub-steps: - transmitting (721) the query request by the antenna (13) to the converter (15) and demodulator (14), - demodulating the query request (722), - supplying power (723) from the converter (15) to the second voltage regulator (16) and the second reset system (18), - supplying power (724) to the second clock (19) and the second calculator (17) from the second voltage regulator (16), - sending (725) time information by the second internal clock (19) to the second calculator (17), - sending (726) an initialization or reset signal by the second reset system (18) to the second calculator (17), - initializing or resetting (727) the second calculator (17), - transmitting (728) the demodulated request to said second calculator (17), and - Verify (729) the validity of the query request.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein: The apparatus (1) includes an inverse modulator (20), and the step of transmitting (75) the response to the RFID reader includes the following sub-steps: - transmitting (751) said prepared response to said reverse modulator (20) by said second calculator (17), said response comprising said stored number of times retrieved, - modulating (752) the response by the inverse modulator (20), - transmitting (753) the modulated response by the antenna (13) to the RFID reader.

10. An aircraft comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is capable of implementing the method according to claim 6 and / or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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