Device for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion, associated processes and aircraft.

Abstract

This counting device (1) for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic movement, 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 capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module (4), and a transmission module on demand (5) of the stored number capable of retrieving the number stored in the storage module (4), the detection module (3) comprising a piezoelectric generator (6) configured to determine a performance of a mechanical cycle by the moving part, and the transmission module on demand (5) comprising an RFID tag (12) equipped with an antenna (13). Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for counting a number of mechanical cycles carried out by a moving part in cyclic motion, associated methods and aircraft. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to data acquisition systems in the aeronautical field, and relates more particularly to a device for counting a number of mechanical cycles carried out by a moving part in cyclic movement.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to such a counting device requiring neither an on-board battery nor a wired connection. Previous techniques

[0003] The environment of an aircraft engine is very cluttered and includes a large number of pieces of equipment to be monitored, whether to ensure maintenance of the aircraft, to assist control or to help diagnose a possible technical problem.

[0004] In order to monitor this equipment, sensors are installed in the engine environment in order to detect and recover data relating to the equipment observed. These sensors must meet several constraints including size constraints in order to be able to be integrated into the engine environment, and position constraints requiring the sensors to be positioned close to the equipment in order to be able to capture said data.

[0005] So-called “passive” sensors requiring neither an on-board battery nor a wired connection have been developed to meet these constraints.

[0006] These sensors are mainly based on two technologies.

[0007] The first technology is piezoelectric technology. Piezoelectric sensors include a piezoelectric generator capable of converting a mechanical force into an electric current.

[0008] The second technology is radio-identification, commonly called RFID for the English term "Radio Frequency Identification". This technology works using an RFID tag and an RFID reader emitting electromagnetic waves such as interrogation requests intended for the RFID tag.

[0009] So-called "passive" RFID tags operate without an on-board battery or wired connection, and draw their energy from the electromagnetic wave emitted by the RFID reader. RFID technology can measure a variety of data such as temperature, voltage, humidity or pressure.

[0010] Among the sensors used in the aeronautical industry, so-called counting sensors are used in order to count a number of mechanical cycles performed by a part in cyclical movement, that is to say a part periodically performing the same movement. A mechanical cycle is understood to mean the movement or the part of the movement performed periodically in an identical manner by the part. For example, a mechanical cycle of a part in circular cyclical movement around a central point may be a complete revolution around the central point of the part.

[0011] A sensor using piezoelectric technology has the major disadvantage of only being activated when the mechanical force is applied to the piezoelectric generator. Thus, such a sensor does not allow for subsequent or on-demand verification of the counted number of mechanical cycles performed by the part. A wireless, battery-free counting sensor using piezoelectric technology is therefore not sufficiently reliable.

[0012] On the other hand, the very nature of a passive RFID tag means that it is only capable of functioning when the RFID reader emits electromagnetic waves. Indeed, if an event to be counted by a counting sensor using RFID technology occurs while the tag is not interrogated by the RFID reader, this event cannot be detected and counted by the tag.

[0013] There is therefore no solution for a device for counting the number of cycles performed by a part in cyclical movement that does not require an on-board battery or wired connection.

[0014] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose such a counting device.

[0015] The present invention therefore relates to a device for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic movement, comprising a module for storing the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, a module for detecting a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module, and a module for transmitting the stored number on request capable of retrieving the number stored in the storage module.

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

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

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

[0019] Advantageously, the first voltage regulator receives as input an electric current generated by the piezoelectric generator and delivers as output a direct voltage for powering the first computer.

[0020] Preferably, the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag, and comprises a second calculator configured to retrieve the number stored in the storage module and to transmit said retrieved number when a correct interrogation request is received by said RFID tag. The invention also relates to a method for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic movement, capable of being implemented by a counting device as defined previously, the counting device comprising a first voltage regulator, a first reset system, a first internal clock and a first calculator.

[0021] The counting method comprises the following steps: - Activation of the piezoelectric generator by movement of the moving part, - Generation of an electric current by the piezoelectric generator, - Transmission of the generated electric current to the first voltage regulator, - Transmission of the generated electric current to the first system of reset, - DC voltage supply to the first internal clock and the first computer by the first voltage regulator, - Sending of time information by the first internal clock to the first computer, - Initialization or reset of the first calculator, - Recovery of the number stored in the storage module by the first calculator, and - Incrementing the stored number retrieved by the first calculator.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for transmitting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion capable of being implemented by a counting device as described previously, and comprising an antenna and a second calculator.

[0023] The transmission method comprises the following steps:

[0024] - Reception by the antenna of an interrogation request about the number of cycles mechanical operations carried out by the moving part, the request being formulated by an RFID reader,

[0025] - Processing of the interrogation request,

[0026] - Recovery in the storage module by the second calculator of the number stored,

[0027] - Preparation of a response to the interrogation request by the second computer, the response including the stored number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part retrieved from the storage module.

[0028] - Transmission to the RFID reader by the antenna of the elaborated response.

[0029] Advantageously, the step of processing the interrogation request comprises the following sub-steps: - Transmission of the interrogation request by the antenna to the converter and the demodulator, - Demodulation of the interrogation request, - Power supply of the second voltage regulator and the second reset system by the converter, - Power supply of the second clock and the second calculator by the second voltage regulator, - Sending of time information by the second internal clock to the second computer, - Sending an initialization or reset signal by the second reset system to the second computer, - Initialization or reset of the second calculator, - Transmission of the demodulated request to the second computer, and - Checking the validity of the query request.

[0030] Preferably, the step of transmitting the prepared response to the RFID reader comprises the following sub-steps:

[0031] - Transmission by the second computer of the elaborated response comprising the stored number retrieved from a retro-modulator,

[0032] - Modulation of the response by the retro-modulator,

[0033] - Transmission by the antenna of the modulated response to the RFID reader.

[0034] Finally, the invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a counting device as defined previously, the counting device being capable of implementing a counting method as defined previously and / or a transmission method as defined previously. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0036] [Fig.l] illustrates a device for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a part in cyclic movement according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the device of [Fig.l];

[0038] [Fig.3] illustrates a top view of the device of [Fig.l];

[0039] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the exchanges of electrical signals when the device of [Fig.l] implements a counting method according to the invention; and

[0040] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the exchanges of electrical signals when the device of [Fig.l] implements a method of transmitting the counted value according to the invention.

[0041] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the steps of the method of counting the number of cycles produced according to the invention; and

[0042] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the steps of the method of transmitting the number of cycles performed counted according to the invention. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0043] [Fig.l] shows a device 1 for counting a number of mechanical cycles carried out by a moving part in cyclic movement and a remote radio-identification reader, called a remote RFID reader 2.

[0044] The moving part is for example a mechanical element of an aeronautical component in cyclic movement, that is to say repeatedly performing an identical movement. The moving part is not shown in the figures.

[0045] The counting device 1 is shown schematically in [Fig.2], and is shown seen from above in [Fig.3].

[0046] The counting device 1 comprises a detection module 3 of a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part, a storage module 4 of the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part, and a transmission module 5 on demand of the number stored in the storage module 4, delivering the number of mechanical cycles in response to an interrogation request sent by the remote RFID reader 2.

[0047] The detection module 3 of a mechanical cycle carried out is capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module 4, and the transmission module on demand 5 of the stored number is capable of recovering the number stored in the storage module 4.

[0048] Thus, the storage module 4 is connected directly to the detection module 3 on the one hand and to the on-demand transmission module 5 on the other hand.

[0049] The detection module 3 of a mechanical cycle carried out comprises a piezoelectric generator 6 equipped with a contact key 7. The piezoelectric generator 6 generates an electric current from a sufficiently large mechanical force undergone by the contact key 7.

[0050] The moving part performs a cyclic mechanical movement compatible with the generation of an electric current by the piezoelectric generator 6. In other words, the moving part repeatedly performs a spatially periodic movement during which it comes into contact with the key 7 of the piezoelectric generator 6. The piezoelectric generator 6 is therefore configured to determine a completion of a mechanical cycle performed by the moving part.

[0051] The detection module 3 further 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 incrementing the number stored in the storage module 4.

[0052] The first voltage regulator 8 is directly connected to the output of the piezoelectric generator 6 so that the piezoelectric generator 6 is able to deliver a generated electric current to the first voltage regulator 8.

[0053] The first voltage regulator 8 is connected at output on the one hand to the first internal clock 10 and on the other hand to the first computer IL

[0054] The first voltage regulator 8 therefore receives as input the electric current generated by the piezoelectric generator 6 and delivers as output a DC voltage suitable for powering the first computer 11 and for powering the first internal clock 10.

[0055] The first reset system of the computer 9 is also directly connected to the output of the piezoelectric generator 6 so that the piezoelectric generator 6 delivers an electric current generated at the input of the first reset system 9. The first reset system 9 is furthermore directly connected to the first computer 11 at the output.

[0056] The first reset system 9 is a known system also referred to as PoR, an abbreviation of the English term “Power-on Reset”, and is configured to initialize or reset the first computer 11 when an electric current is applied to the system 9.

[0057] The first reset system 9 therefore receives as input the electric current generated by the piezoelectric generator 6 and resets the first computer 11.

[0058] The first internal clock 10 is configured to send time information to the first computer 11 in order to allow synchronization of the tasks performed by the first computer 11.

[0059] The first calculator 11 is an integrated circuit capable of consulting the number stored in the storage module 4, of incrementing said number, and of writing the incremented number in the storage module 4. The first calculator 11 is thus directly connected to the storage module 4.

[0060] The counting device 1, and more particularly the detection module 3, ensures the counting of the number of mechanical cycles carried out by the moving part in cyclic movement.

[0061] [Fig.6] illustrates the steps of a counting method implemented by the detection module to count the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part in cyclic motion.

[0062] In a first step 601, the piezoelectric generator 6 is activated by a movement of the moving part performing a mechanical cycle to be counted. More precisely, the contact key 7 is arranged on the path of the moving part in cyclic movement, which thus applies a mechanical force to the piezoelectric generator 6 sufficiently large for the generation of an electric current.

[0063] In the following step 602, the piezoelectric generator 6 generates an electric current and transmits this current to the first voltage regulator 8 (step 603) and to the first reset system 9 (step 604).

[0064] In step 605, the first voltage regulator 8 is activated by the electric current supply and transforms the electric current received at the input into a direct voltage at the output,

[0065] In a step 606, the first voltage regulator 8 supplies DC voltage in parallel to, on the one hand, the first internal clock 10 and, on the other hand, the first computer 11.

[0066] At the same time, that is to say while the first voltage regulator 8 supplies the first computer 11 and the internal clock 10, the first internal clock 10 sends time information (step 607), while the first reset system 9 sends an initialization or reset signal to the first computer 11 (step 608) allowing the initialization of the computer 11 (step 609).

[0067] During the following step 610, the first computer 11 then recovers the number of cycles performed counted which is stored in the storage module 4, increments the recovered number (step 611), and writes the incremented number in the storage module 4 (step 612).

[0068] [Fig.4] illustrates the exchanges of electrical signals when the device of [Fig.l] implements the counting method illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0069] The on-demand transmission module 5 of the stored number comprises a radio-identification tag called an RFID tag 12 equipped with an antenna 13.

[0070] The antenna 13 is illustrated in [Fig.l], and has not been repeated in the other figures for the sake of clarity.

[0071] The antenna 13 is an antenna conventionally used in the field of radio identification. The antenna 13 is thus capable of receiving an electromagnetic wave sent by an RFID reader not shown in the figures and to transform the received electromagnetic signal into an electrical signal.

[0072] The RFID tag 12 is a conventional passive RFID tag, i.e. without an on-board battery and powered solely by an electromagnetic wave emitted by the remote RFID reader and captured by the antenna 13.

[0073] The RFID tag 12 comprises a demodulator 14, a converter 15, a second voltage regulator 16, a second computer 17, a second reset system 18 of the second computer 17, a second internal clock 19 and a retro-modulator 20.

[0074] The demodulator 14 and the converter 15 are each directly connected to the output of the antenna 13 so that the antenna 13 delivers the electrical signal resulting from the electromagnetic wave at the input of the demodulator 14 and the converter 15.

[0075] The converter 15 ensures the conversion of the electrical signal received by the antenna 13 into a direct current. The converter 15 outputs the converted direct current in parallel to the second voltage regulator 16, on the one hand, and to the second reset system 18, on the other hand.

[0076] Thus, the second voltage regulator 16 is directly connected to the output of the converter 15 so that the converter 15 delivers an electric current to the second voltage regulator 16.

[0077] The second voltage regulator 16 is connected at output on the one hand to the second internal clock 19 and to the second computer 17 on the other hand.

[0078] The second voltage regulator 16 therefore receives as input the electric current generated by the converter 15 and is capable of delivering as output a DC voltage suitable for powering the second computer 17 and for powering the second internal clock 19.

[0079] The second reset system 18 of the second computer is also directly connected to the output of the converter 15 so that the converter 15 delivers an electric current generated at the input of the second reset system 18. The second reset system 18 is furthermore directly connected to the second computer 17 at the output.

[0080] The second reset system 18 is similar to the first reset system 9, that is to say it is constituted by a known PoR type system, abbreviation of the English term “Power-on Reset”, capable of initializing or resetting the second computer 17 when an electric current is applied to the second system 18.

[0081] The second reset system 18 therefore receives as input the electric current generated by the converter 15 and resets the second computer 17.

[0082] The demodulator 14 is connected at the input to the antenna 13 and at the output to the second computer 17.

[0083] The demodulator 14 ensures the demodulation of the electrical signal received by the antenna 13 and provides the demodulated signal as input to the second computer 17. In other words, the demodulator 14 continuously converts, demodulates the signal received by the antenna 13 and sends it to the second computer 17.

[0084] The second internal clock 19 is directly connected to the second computer 17 and is configured to send time information to the second computer 17 in order to allow synchronization of the tasks performed by the second computer 17.

[0085] The second calculator 17 is an integrated circuit capable of recovering the number stored in the storage module 4 and capable of transmitting said recovered stored number when a correct interrogation request is received by the RFID tag 12. In other words, the second calculator 17 is capable of developing a response to an interrogation request sent by the RFID reader about the stored number of cycles performed by the moving part.

[0086] The second computer 17 is thus directly connected to the storage module 4 and to the retro-modulator 20.

[0087] The retro-modulator 20 is a known component of passive RFID tags intended to modulate the response developed by the second computer 17 using data received from the RFID reader and captured by the antenna 13.

[0088] The retro-modulator 20 is thus directly connected to the antenna 13 and provides the modulated response to the antenna 13 at output. The antenna 13 is capable of emitting an electromagnetic wave and transmitting the modulated response to the RFID reader.

[0089] The counting device 1, and more particularly the on-demand transmission module 5 of the stored number, ensures the transmission of the number of mechanical cycles carried out by the moving part in cyclic movement.

[0090] [Fig.7] illustrates the steps of such a method of transmitting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion.

[0091] During a first step 711, the antenna 13 receives as input an electromagnetic wave emitted by the RFID reader 2. The received electromagnetic wave comprises a query request for the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part formulated by the RFID reader 2.

[0092] During a following phase 72 of the method, the interrogation request is processed by the counting device 1, and more particularly by the on-demand transmission module 5. More precisely, during the phase 72 of processing the interrogation request by the on-demand transmission module 5, the antenna 13 delivers the electrical signal resulting from the electromagnetic wave received simultaneously at the input of the demodulator 14 and the converter 15 (step 721) Then, in a second step 722 of phase 72, the interrogation request is continuously demodulated by the demodulator 14.

[0093] In parallel with the step 722 of continuous demodulation produced by the demodulator 14, the converter 15 simultaneously supplies the second voltage regulator 16 and the second reset system 18 (step 723).

[0094] The second voltage regulator 16 then simultaneously supplies the second clock 19 and the second computer 17 (step 724).

[0095] The second clock 19 sends time information (step 725), while the second reset system 18 sends an initialization or reset signal to the second computer 17 (step 726) allowing the initialization or reset of the second computer 17 (step 727).

[0096] The demodulated interrogation request is then sent to the second computer 17 by the demodulator 14 (step 728). The second computer 17 then verifies the validity of the interrogation request demodulated by the demodulator 14 (step 729). This involves in particular verifying that the request is indeed intended for the RFID tag 12, and that it indeed contains a compliant interrogation regarding the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part. The verification step 729 is the last step of phase 72.

[0097] If the demodulated request is valid, the second computer 17 retrieves the number stored in the storage module 4 corresponding to the number of cycles carried out by the moving part and counted by the counting device 1 (step 73).

[0098] During the following step 74, the second computer develops a response to the interrogation request sent by the RFID reader 2. More precisely, the response developed by the second computer 17 includes the recovered number stored in the storage module 4 of the number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part. Finally, the antenna 13 transmits to the RFID reader 2 the response developed in step 74 comprising the stored number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part recovered in step 73 (phase 75).

[0099] To do this, the response developed in step 74 is transmitted to the retro-modulator 20 by the second computer 17 (step 751), then the response is converted into a modulated signal called retro-modulated response by the retro-modulator 20 (step 752), and this retro-modulated response is transmitted by the antenna 13 to the RFID reader 2 (step 753).

[0100] [Fig.5] illustrates the exchanges of electrical signals when the device of [Fig.l] implements the transmission method illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0101] The counting device 1 therefore combines radio-identification and piezoelectric technologies to provide a sensor for counting mechanical cycles carried out by the moving part in cyclic movement, the counting of which is reliable and constantly consultable, the sensor does not require an on-board battery or a wired connection for data transfer and power supply.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic 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 capable of incrementing the number stored in the storage module (4), and a transmission module on demand (5) of the stored number 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 a performance of a mechanical cycle by the moving part, the piezoelectric generator (6) comprising a contact key (7) configured to transmit to the input of the piezoelectric generator (6) a force exerted by the moving part in motion during a mechanical cycle,and in that the on-demand transmission module (5) comprises an RFID tag (12) equipped with an antenna (13).,

2. Counting device (1) according to claim 1, in which the detection module (3) of a mechanical cycle carried out 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).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, in which the first voltage regulator (8) receives as input an electric current generated by the piezoelectric generator (6) and delivers as output a direct voltage for powering the first computer (11).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RFID tag (12) is a passive RFID tag, and comprises a second calculator (17) configured to retrieve the number stored in the storage module (4) and to transmit said retrieved number when a correct interrogation request is received by said RFID tag (12).

5. A method of counting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion, implemented by a counting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the counting device (1) comprising a first regulator voltage regulator (8), a first reset system (9), a first internal clock (10) and a first computer (11), the method comprising the following steps: - Activation (601) of the piezoelectric generator (6) by a movement of the moving part, - Generation (602) of an electric current by the piezoelectric generator (6), - Transmission (603) of the generated electric current to the first voltage regulator (8), - Transmission (604) of the generated electric current to the first reset system (9), - Supply (606) of direct voltage to the first internal clock (10) and to the first computer (11) by the first voltage regulator (8), - Sending (607) of time information by the first internal clock (10) to the first computer (H), - Initialization or reinitialization (609) of the first computer (11),- Recovery (610) of the number stored in the storage module (4) by the first calculator (11), - Increment (611) of the stored number recovered by the first calculator (11),

6. Method for transmitting a number of mechanical cycles performed by a moving part in cyclic motion implemented by a counting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the device comprising an antenna (13) and a second calculator (17), the method comprising the following steps:

7. - Reception (71) by the antenna (13) of an interrogation request about the number of mechanical cycles carried out by the moving part, the request being formulated by an RFID reader, - Processing (72) of the query request, - Recovery (73) in the storage module (4) by the second calculator (17) of the stored number, - Elaboration (74) of a response to the interrogation request by the second calculator (17), the response comprising the stored number of mechanical cycles performed by the moving part retrieved in the storage module. - Transmission (75) to the RFID reader via the antenna (13) of the elaborated response. Method according to claim 6, wherein the step of processing (72) the interrogation request comprises the following sub-steps: - Transmission (721) of the interrogation request by the antenna (13) to a converter (15) and to a demodulator (14), - Demodulation (722) of the interrogation request, - Power supply (723) of the second voltage regulator (16) and of the second reset system (18) by the converter (15), - Power supply (724) of a second clock (19) and of the second computer (17) by the second voltage regulator (16), - Sending (725) of time information by the second internal clock (19) to the second computer (17), - Sending (726) of an initialization or reset signal by the second reset system (18) to the second computer (17), - Initialization or reset (727) of the second computer (17), - Transmission (728) of the demodulated request to the second computer (17), and - Verification (729) of the validity of the query request.

8. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, in which the counting device (1) comprises a retro-modulator (20), the step of transmitting (75) the response to the RFID reader comprising the following sub-steps: - Transmission (751) by the second computer (17) of the elaborated response comprising the stored number retrieved from the retro-modulator (20), - Modulation (752) of the response by the retro-modulator (20), - Transmission (753) by the antenna (13) of the modulated response to the RFID reader.

9. Aircraft comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the device implementing a method according to claim 5 and / or a method according to one of claims 6 to 8.

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