Method and sensor device for acoustically monitoring a measurement point in a fluid flow fitting and corresponding sensor device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for acoustically monitoring a measurement point (6) in a fluid flow fitting (2), in particular a condensate drain (4). According to the invention, the method (100) measures the ambient noise emissions (S) in the area surrounding the measurement point (6). U ) emitted by the measurement point (6), and K ) for a first frequency range (26a) and detecting (104) ambient noise emissions (S U ) for at least one further frequency range (26b). U ) and determining (106b) at least one further frequency spectrum (16b) in the first frequency range (26a) and determining a structure-borne sound radiation (S K ) for at least one further frequency range (26b). K ), determining (108b) at least one further frequency spectrum (18b) in the first frequency range (26a), determining (114a) a first characteristic number (K1) from the frequency spectrum (16a, 18a) in the first frequency range (26a), and determining (114b) a further characteristic number (K2) from the further frequency spectrum (16b, 18b) in the further frequency range (26b), the characteristic numbers (K1, K2) forming a characteristic pattern (20), and determining (116) an operating state (B) of the condensate drain (4) based on the characteristic pattern (20).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for acoustically monitoring a measurement point in a fluid flow fitting, in particular a condensate drain, and further to a sensor device, a computer program, and a computer readable medium for acoustically monitoring a measurement point in a fluid flow fitting. [Background technology]

[0002] Methods for acoustically monitoring measuring points in fluid-flow fittings, particularly condensate drains, are known in the prior art. For this purpose, measuring devices are known that are positioned directly on the condensate drain with a measuring tip. These measuring devices measure the intensity of structure-borne sound generated in the condensate drain, particularly in the ultrasonic frequency range, and derive the operating state of the condensate drain being analyzed from this. Early detection of malfunctions in condensate drains is crucial. For example, unwanted steam loss, which is associated with specific acoustic characteristics and is detected based on the emitted structure-borne sound, is one such malfunction. Although contact-based measuring devices known in the prior art have proven their capabilities, there is still room for improvement.

[0003] Because condensate drains are often installed in complex steam transport plants, it can be difficult to establish indirect contact with the condensate drain and attach measuring devices known in the prior art to the condensate drain for measurement purposes, which can present a potential danger to users who have to get very close to the condensate drain, which may be at a very high temperature. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned background art, it is an object of the present invention to further improve a method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fluid flow fitting or a corresponding sensor device, respectively, and to eliminate as far as possible the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular to provide a method and a sensor device that are easy for the user to read and that can be used safely even in difficult-to-access locations and on very hot condensate drains. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved in a method of the above-mentioned type by the steps of detecting ambient noise radiation in the area surrounding the measurement point, detecting structure-borne sound radiation emitted by the measurement point, determining a first frequency spectrum of the ambient noise radiation for a first frequency range, determining at least one further frequency spectrum of the ambient noise radiation for at least one further frequency range, determining the first frequency spectrum of the structure-borne sound radiation for the first frequency range, determining at least one further frequency spectrum of the structure-borne sound radiation for the at least one further frequency range, determining a first characteristic number from the frequency spectrum in the first frequency range, and determining further characteristic numbers from the further frequency spectrum in the further frequency range, the characteristic numbers forming a characteristic pattern, and determining the operating state of the condensate drain on the basis of the characteristic pattern.

[0006] The invention makes use of the knowledge that, based on the above-mentioned method steps, the operating state of a fitting or condensate drain can be determined independently of the need for contact-based structure-borne noise measurements. This is possible in particular because the ambient noise of the generally relatively weak structure-borne noise useful signal at the condensate drain is detected and taken into account during the evaluation of the correspondence. In this way, a characteristic pattern can be determined which serves as an indicator of the set operating state of the condensate drain.

[0007] In this case, a characteristic pattern is understood to be a pattern formed from the individual characteristic numbers obtained from each frequency spectrum, and the characteristic pattern allows the fitting operation state to be concluded. The frequency ranges preferably have no overlap with respect to the selected frequencies and are optionally arranged adjacent to each other. The frequency ranges preferably lie in the full frequency range from 0 kHz to 100 kHz. The frequency range preferably has a range width of 1 kHz to 30 kHz, in particular 10 kHz to 25 kHz.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the detection of ambient noise radiation and structure-borne sound radiation is carried out contactlessly. In this case, contactless measurement is understood to mean a measurement in which there is no or no need for direct contact between the measuring means, for example the measuring tip, and the fitting or condensate drain. Conducting the measurement contactlessly increases the flexibility of the measurement data acquisition for the user on the one hand, and at the same time avoids the user having to approach too close to the condensate drain, which is advantageous in terms of accessibility and health protection due to high temperatures.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, ambient noise radiation is detected at a first distance from the measurement point, and structure-borne sound radiation is detected at a second distance from the measurement point, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. The first distance from the measurement point is preferably 10 cm to 30 cm, in particular 20 cm, and the second distance from the measurement point is 1 cm to 10 cm, in particular 5 cm. In other words, a measurement of ambient noise radiation (also called a profile measurement) for detecting ambient noise is preferably carried out at a distance of, in particular, 20 cm from the fitting or the condensate drain. Then, in a second step, a measurement of the actual useful signal in the form of structure-borne sound radiation is preferably carried out at a distance of, in particular, 5 cm from the condensate drain. Thereafter, a frequency spectrum is determined from the detected measurement signal, from which a pattern characteristic of the fitting's operating state is determined.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of determining a first difference function from a first frequency spectrum of ambient noise radiation and a first frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation, determining at least one further difference function from a further frequency spectrum of ambient noise radiation and a further frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation, determining a first characteristic number based on the first difference function and determining a further characteristic number based on the further difference function.

[0011] The invention is further developed by including the steps of determining a first integer of a first difference function, determining at least one further integer in a further difference function, and determining a first characteristic number based on the first integer and determining a further characteristic number based on the further integer. In particular, the region of the frequency spectrum formed by the difference function is thus used for a frequency range. This has been found to be particularly suitable for determining a characteristic pattern for identifying the operating state of a fitting or a condensate drain.

[0012] The step of determining the operational state of the condensate drain based on the characteristic pattern preferably includes at least one of the following operational states: normal operation of the condensate drain; and a fault in the condensate drain.

[0013] The method is further developed by the step of quantitatively determining the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount based on the characteristic pattern. In this way, the operating state of the condensate drain is determined based on the characteristic pattern and / or the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount is estimated based on the characteristic pattern. The condensate determination is preferably performed in the frequency range of 0 kHz to 20 kHz. The steam loss determination is preferably performed in the frequency range of 40 kHz to 70 kHz.

[0014] The method is further developed by providing or detecting the temperature of the condensate drain, in particular at the measuring point, and determining the operating state and / or the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount is made based on the characteristic pattern and the temperature. Additional consideration of temperature when determining the operating state or the steam loss and / or condensate amount has proven suitable for increasing the accuracy when determining the operating state or the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount.

[0015] The method is further developed in that the step of determining the operating state and the derived steam loss and / or condensate volume from the characteristic pattern is performed using machine learning, in particular pattern recognition. The neural network is preferably trained using training data that correlates the characteristic pattern with the operating state or derived steam loss and / or condensate volume of a particular type of condensate drain. After training the neural network, it is able to determine from the characteristic pattern the operating state or derived steam loss and / or condensate volume for a corresponding condensate drain type or group of condensate drains.

[0016] The present invention has been described with reference to the method described above. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a sensor device for acoustically monitoring a measurement point in a fitting through which a fluid flows, in particular a condensate drain. With regard to the sensor device, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem in that the sensor device comprises an acoustic sensor configured to contactlessly sense ambient and structure-borne sound radiation emitted by the measurement point, and a control device connected to the acoustic sensor for transmitting data and configured to implement the method according to any one of the exemplary embodiments described above. The sensor device utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the method according to the present invention. In this regard, reference is made to the above description, the content of which is included in this specification.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the acoustic sensor is configured as a wideband microphone, in particular an ultrasonic microphone. Due to the fact that characteristic acoustic frequencies that make it possible to conclude the operating state of the condensate drain are particularly in the ultrasonic range, it is preferred that the acoustic sensor is configured as an ultrasonic sensor. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is configured as a mobile device, which not only makes it particularly easy for the user to carry the device, but also allows it to be used in small spaces.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device comprises display means, in particular a display, configured to display the operating state of the fitting and / or the steam loss and / or the condensate amount, in this way the operator can obtain the necessary information on the state of the fitting or condensate drain directly on site.

[0019] The invention is further developed in that the sensor device comprises a light source for illuminating the measurement point or the condensate drain, which facilitates detectability or precise positioning of the sensor device at the measurement point on the condensate drain, even in difficult-to-access and dark places. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device comprises a distance meter, in particular a laser distance meter, which facilitates and monitors the precise distance of the sensor device for ambient noise emission or structure-borne sound emission.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the condensate drain or measuring point has a marking that facilitates accurate execution of the measurement. The marking is preferably formed as a QR code or a barcode, and the sensor device is equipped with a corresponding scanner. This allows, for example, the type of condensate drain to be directly associated with the collected measurement value. Furthermore, the determination of the characteristic pattern or operating state can be directly adapted to the detected type of condensate drain. According to an alternative embodiment, near field communication (NFT) is used to identify the condensate drain.

[0021] The sensor device is further developed by further comprising a temperature sensor, in particular an infrared temperature sensor, which is configured to sense the temperature of the condensation drain, in particular to sense it contactlessly, and which is connected to the control device for transmitting data. As mentioned above, the use of a temperature sensor, which also allows contactless measurement, has proven suitable for increasing the accuracy of measuring or determining the operating state of the fitting and the amount of steam loss and / or condensate loss.

[0022] The control device is preferably connected to a communication interface for transmitting data, the communication interface being configured to communicate with the cloud, a mobile device, or an external network or computer, in particular via a wireless network. In this way, the measurement data can be transmitted in real time or with a time delay to a corresponding system, where it is available and visible, for example in a central plant control and monitoring system.

[0023] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions having the effect that a sensor device according to any one of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments performs the method according to any one of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program according to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. The computer program and the computer-readable medium utilize the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the method according to the present invention and the sensor device according to the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, reference is made to the above description, the content of which is included in this specification.

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail based on preferred and exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sensor device according to the present invention; [Figure 3a] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing exemplary frequency spectra of ambient noise radiation and structure-borne sound radiation. [Figure 3b] 3b is an explanatory diagram showing a difference function formed from the frequency spectrum of FIG. 3a and a characteristic pattern of the difference function; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a computer program according to the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer-readable storage device according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a method 100 for acoustically monitoring a measurement point 6 in a fluid flow fitting 2, particularly a condensate drain 4, in FIG. 2. The method 100 measures ambient noise emissions S in the area surrounding the measurement point 6 shown in FIG. U and a step 102 of detecting the structure-borne sound radiation S emitted by the measurement point 6. K and detecting 104 the ambient noise radiation S for the first frequency range 26a as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3a. U The method 100 further includes determining a first frequency spectrum 16a of the ambient noise radiation S for at least one further frequency range 26b. U and a step 106b in which at least one further frequency spectrum 16b in the first frequency range 26a is determined. K and a step 108a in which a first frequency spectrum 18a of the structure-borne sound radiation S for at least one further frequency range 26b is determined. K and determining 108b at least one further frequency spectrum 18b in the

[0027] In method step 110a, ambient noise radiation S U The first frequency spectrum 16a and the structure-borne sound radiation S K From the first frequency spectrum 18a, a first difference function 22a is determined. UFurther frequency spectrum of 16b and structure-borne sound radiation S K A step 110b is then performed in which at least one further difference function 22c is determined from the further frequency spectrum 18b of the first difference function 22a. Then, in method step 112a, a first integer l1 is determined from the first difference function 22a and at least one further integer I2 is determined from the second difference function 22b.

[0028] Then, in method steps 114a, 114b, a first characteristic number K1 is determined on the basis of the first integer I1 and a further characteristic number K2 is determined on the basis of the further integer I2. In method step 116, an operating state B of the condensate drain 4 is determined on the basis of a characteristic pattern 20 formed by the characteristic numbers K1, K2. Finally, in method step 118, the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount is quantitatively determined on the basis of the characteristic pattern 20.

[0029] The determination of the operating state B and the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount is preferably based on the characteristic pattern 20 and the temperature T of the condensate drain. In steps 116, 118, the determination of the operating state B and the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount from the characteristic pattern 20 is preferably based on machine learning.

[0030] 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensor device 1 for acoustically monitoring a measurement point 6 in a fluid-flow fitting 2, in particular a condensate drain 4. The sensor device 1 comprises an acoustic sensor 8. The acoustic sensor 8 measures ambient noise emissions S U The sensor device 1 is also configured to detect the structure-borne sound radiation S emitted from the measurement point 6 without contact. K The sensor device 1 further comprises a controller 12 connected to the acoustic sensor 8 in a data transmitting manner, the controller 12 being configured to implement the method 100 shown in FIG.

[0031] The acoustic sensor 8 is formed as a wideband microphone 10, in particular as an ultrasonic microphone 10. The sensor device 1 is formed as a mobile device. The sensor device 1 also comprises display means 14 formed as a display. The display means 14 is configured to display the operating state B of the fitting 2 and / or the steam loss and / or the condensate amount. The sensor device 1 further comprises a temperature sensor 28 formed as an infrared thermometer 30. The temperature sensor 28 is configured to sense the temperature T of the condensate drain 4, in particular configured to sense it contactlessly. The temperature sensor 28 is connected to the control device 12 for transmitting data. In this case, the ambient noise radiation S U The measurement is made at the first distance d from the measurement point 6. U The structure-borne sound radiation S K The measurement is made at a second distance d from the measurement point 6. K The second distance d K is the first distance d U The first distance d from the measurement point 6 is smaller than U is preferably 20 cm. A second measurement is then taken at a second distance d from the measurement point 6 K (especially 5 cm).

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the acoustic sensor 8 or the ultrasonic microphone 10 is connected to a filter and amplifier 32, respectively, for data transmission. The filter and amplifier 32 amplifies and filters the acoustic signal determined by the acoustic sensor. The filter and amplifier 32 is connected to an analog-to-digital converter 34, which converts the analog signal into a digital signal and provides it to the control device 12. The control device 12 is connected to a communication interface 36 for data transmission. The communication interface 36 is configured to communicate with a cloud 38, a mobile device 40, and / or a computer 42 via a data network 44.

[0033] Figure 3a shows an example ambient noise emission S UThe frequency spectrum of 16 and the structure-borne sound radiation S K The frequency spectrum 18 of the ambient noise radiation S is shown. For the spectra 16 and 18, the frequency is applied via sound pressure in the frequency range of 0 to 50 kHz. U The first frequency spectrum 16a and the structure-borne sound radiation S K A first frequency spectrum 18a can be determined for a first frequency range 26a. The same can be done for a further frequency range 26b, with the exemplarily depicted frequency spectra 16b, 18b. As shown in FIG. 3b, a difference function 22a for the frequency spectra 16a, 18a is subsequently formed, with its integer I1 forming a first characteristic number K1. Similarly, as shown exemplarily, a difference function 22b for the frequency range 26b is formed, with its integer I2 forming a further characteristic number K2. The characteristic numbers K1, K2 form a characteristic pattern 20. FIG. 3b further shows further characteristic numbers Kn, which are formed from integers In and can contribute to the characteristic pattern 20.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a computer program 200 comprising commands that have the effect of causing a sensor device 1 formed according to Figure 2 to perform the method 100 according to Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a computer readable medium 300. The computer program 200 in Figure 4 is stored on the computer readable medium 300. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Sensor device 2 Fittings 4 Condensate drain 6 measurement points 8 Acoustic Sensor 10 Ultrasonic microphone 12 Control device 14 Display means / display 16a First frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions 16b Further frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions 18a First frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation 18b Further frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation 20 characteristic patterns 22a First difference function 22b Further difference functions 26a First frequency range 26b Further frequency range 28 Temperature Sensor 30 infrared thermometer 32 Filters and Amplifiers 34 Analog-to-Digital Converter 36 Communication Interface 38 Cloud 40 Mobile Devices 42 Computer 44 Data Network 100 ways 102 Ambient noise emission detection 104 Detection of Structure-Borne Sound Radiation 106a Detection of the first frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions 106b Further detection of the frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions 108a Detection of the first frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation 108b Further detection of the frequency spectrum of structure-borne sound radiation 110a Detection of the first difference function 110b Further detection of difference functions 112a Finding the First Integer 112b Finding more integers 114a Detection of the first characteristic number 114b Detection of further characteristic numbers 116 Operational Status Detection 118 Determining Derived Steam Loss and / or Condensate Volume 200 Computer Programs 300 Computer-Readable Medium B Fitting operating status dU Distance from the measurement point for measuring ambient noise emissions dK Distance from the measurement point for measuring structure-borne sound radiation K1 First characteristic number K2 Additional characteristics Kn characteristic number I1 first integer I2 Further integers In characteristic integers SU ambient noise emissions SK Solid-borne sound radiation T Condensate drain temperature

Claims

1. A method (100) for acoustically monitoring a measurement point (6) of a fluid-flow fitting (2), in particular a condensate drain (4), comprising: - ambient noise radiation in the area surrounding said measurement point (6) (S U ) detecting (102); - the structure-borne sound radiation (S K ) detecting (104); - said ambient noise radiation (S U determining (106a) a first frequency spectrum (16a) of the - said ambient noise radiation (S) for at least one further frequency range (26b); U determining (106b) at least one further frequency spectrum (16b) in - the structure-borne sound radiation (S K determining (108a) a first frequency spectrum (18a) of the - the structure-borne sound radiation (S K determining (108b) at least one further frequency spectrum (18b) in - determining (114a) a first characteristic number (K1) from said frequency spectrum (16a, 18a) of said first frequency range (26a); - a step (114b) of determining a further characteristic number (K2) from said further frequency spectrum (16b, 18b) of said further frequency range (26b), said characteristic numbers (K1, K2) forming a characteristic pattern (20); - determining (116) the operating state (B) of said condensate drain (4) based on said characteristic pattern (20); A method comprising:

2. 2. The method (100) of claim 1, wherein the ambient noise radiation (S U ) and detecting the structure-borne sound radiation (S K ) is performed in a non-contact manner.

3. 3. The method (100) of claim 2, wherein the ambient noise radiation (S U ) from the measurement point (6) at the first distance (d U ) and the structure-borne sound radiation (S K ) from the measurement point (6) at a second distance (d K ) and detects the second distance (d K ) is the first distance (d U ) smaller than, method.

4. 4. The method (100) of claim 3, wherein the first distance (d U ) is 10 cm to 30 cm, particularly 20 cm.

5. 5. The method (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second distance (d K ) is 1 cm to 10 cm, particularly 5 cm.

6. A method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: - the ambient noise radiation (S U ) and the structure-borne sound radiation (S K determining (110a) a first difference function (22a) from said first frequency spectrum (18a); - the ambient noise radiation (S U ) and the structure-borne sound radiation (S K determining (110b) at least one further difference function (22b) from said further frequency spectrum (18b) of - determining said first characteristic number (K1) on the basis of said first difference function (22a) and said further characteristic number (K2) on the basis of said further difference function (22b); The method further comprises:

7. 7. The method (100) of claim 6, comprising: - determining (112a) a first integer (I1) of said first difference function (22a); - determining (112b) at least one further integer (I2) in said further difference function (22b); - determining said first characteristic number (K1) on the basis of said first integer (I1) and determining said further characteristic number (K2) on the basis of said further integer (I2); The method further comprises:

8. 8. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step (116) of determining an operating state (B) of the condensate drain (4) based on the characteristic pattern (20) comprises at least one of the following operating states (B): normal operation of the condensate drain; and a defect in the condensate drain.

9. A method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: - quantitatively determining (118) the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount based on said characteristic pattern (20).

10. 10. The method (100) of claim 9, comprising: - the method further comprising a step of providing or detecting the temperature (T) of the condensate drain (4), in particular at the measuring point (6), and determining the operating state (B) and / or the derived steam loss and / or the condensate amount based on the characteristic pattern (20) and the temperature (T).

11. 11. The method (100) of claim 9 or 10, wherein the step (116, 118) of determining the operating state (B) and the derived steam loss and / or condensate amount from the characteristic pattern (20) is performed based on machine learning.

12. A sensor device (1) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) of a fluid-flow fitting (2), in particular a condensate drain (4), comprising: Ambient noise emission (S U ) and the structure-borne sound radiation (S K an acoustic sensor (8) configured to sense the a control device (12) connected to the acoustic sensor (8) for transmitting data and configured to implement the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A sensor device comprising:

13. 13. The sensor device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the acoustic sensor (8) is configured as a wideband microphone, in particular as an ultrasonic microphone (10).

14. The sensor device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sensor device (1) is configured as a mobile device (28).

15. The sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sensor device (1) comprises display means (14), in particular a display (14), configured to display the operating state (B) of the fitting (2) and / or the steam loss and / or the amount of condensate.

16. 16. The sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a temperature sensor (28), in particular an infrared temperature sensor (30), configured to sense the temperature (T) of the condensate drain (4), in particular in a contactless manner, and the temperature sensor (28) is connected to the control device (12) for transmitting data.

17. A computer program (200) comprising commands having the effect of causing a sensor device (1) formed according to any one of claims 12 to 16 to carry out a method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

18. A computer readable medium (300) having stored thereon the computer program (200) according to claim 17.

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