Integrated Accelerometer-Inclinometer for Vibration Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration measurement devices for rotating machines are complex to handle and require separate alignment and vibration sensors, leading to difficulties in data evaluation and alignment correction, especially during unusual working hours, and often result in sensor damage or incorrect data assignment due to personnel fatigue or lack of training.
Innovation Solution
A device with an integrated accelerometer/inclinometer sensor that determines its orientation relative to gravity, allowing for simplified vibration measurements by combining alignment and vibration data evaluation, and displaying essential data characteristics for easy interpretation, thereby reducing the need for additional sensors and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate alignment sensors and vibration sensors are used, then measurement functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment sensor and vibration sensor into a single integrated measurement device. The housing contains both the optoelectronic alignment measurement components and the accelerometer/inclinometer vibration sensor, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing handling complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor unit serves multiple functions: it performs both alignment measurements (via optoelectronic components) and vibration measurements (via accelerometer/inclinometer). This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized tools, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
2Measurement precision
If additional inclinometer is added to accelerometer sensor, then orientation measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer/inclinometer sensor performs dual functions: it measures vibration acceleration and determines sensor orientation relative to gravity. This multi-functional sensor eliminates the need for a separate inclinometer while providing both vibration data and orientation information, maintaining measurement precision without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the accelerometer and inclinometer into a single integrated sensor unit. This combination allows the device to obtain both vibration measurement data and orientation reference data from one sensor, avoiding the need for additional components while maintaining the precision of orientation measurement
3Measurement precision
If alignment and vibration measurements are taken separately, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated measurement device allows alignment and vibration measurements to be performed simultaneously or in quick succession without requiring separate devices or complex setup changes. The sensor remains mounted on the machine throughout, enabling continuous measurement capability that improves productivity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs alignment measurements first, then automatically transitions to vibration measurement mode without requiring device removal or reconfiguration. This preliminary alignment measurement followed by immediate vibration assessment streamlines the measurement process, improving productivity while maintaining the accuracy of both measurement types
4Loss of information
If extensive databases are used for alignment and vibration data, then data evaluation completeness is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic evaluation device segments data processing into distinct functional modules: alignment data evaluation, vibration data evaluation, and reference data comparison. Each module handles specific aspects of data analysis independently, making the overall system more manageable and easier to operate while maintaining complete data evaluation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic evaluation device acts as an intermediary between the raw measurement data and the operator. It automatically processes, compares, and evaluates the alignment and vibration data against reference values, presenting simplified results to the operator while maintaining access to extensive reference databases, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing evaluation completeness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the measurement process, enhances data reliability, and ensures accurate alignment and vibration data correlation, reducing the risk of sensor damage and improving operational efficiency by integrating the accelerometer/inclinometer sensor with the alignment sensor and displaying critical data characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (19) connected to one of the optoelectronic transmitting and/or receiving units (15, 16) for taking vibration measurements during operation of the machine
Implementation Method 2
determining the orientation of the sensor with regard to gravity from the stationary component of the sensor output
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a devicefor vibration measurement at a non-rotating part (32) of a machine (1, 2, 30), comprising an accelerometer/inclinometer sensor (19, 21) for measuring acceleration forces resulting from machine vibrations to be measured and for measuring gravity and an electronic evaluation unit (36) supplied with the sensor output and adapted to determine the orientation of the sensor with regard to gravity from the stationary component of the sensor output and to evaluate the non-stationary components of sensor output at according to the determined sensor orientation..