Electrical Machine Operation Detection Using Sound and Digital Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the operation of electrical machines, such as motors, require the installation of measurement devices which can be difficult in certain environments.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing sound data captured in the vicinity of the electrical machine, combined with a digital model, to determine operational values without the need for dedicated measurement devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated measurement devices are installed on the electrical motor, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational value determinationVSAvoidmeasurement device installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sound data as an intermediary medium to indirectly determine operational parameters of the electrical machine. Instead of directly measuring parameters with sensors on the motor, a sound sensor captures acoustic emissions, and a digital model translates this sound data into operational values like temperature and load, thereby avoiding direct installation of complex measurement devices on the motor itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/electrical measurement systems (sensors, transducers, direct contact measurement devices) with an acoustic measurement system. By using sound field measurements and digital modeling to substitute for direct physical measurement, the system achieves parameter determination without the complexity of installing dedicated measurement devices on the electrical machine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If sound data is used instead of measurement devices, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidoperational value accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct physical parameter measurement to indirect acoustic parameter measurement. The digital model performs parameter transformation by converting sound pressure level data into operational parameters (temperature, load), effectively changing the measurement domain while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy or digital twin of the electrical machine's operational state through modeling. The digital model replicates the relationship between sound emissions and operational parameters, allowing accurate determination of operational values without physically measuring them directly, thus maintaining precision while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4667884A1Determining value indicating operation of electrical machine
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4667884A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4667884A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4667884A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

To obtain information on operation of an electrical machine, sound data; which comprises time series of sound pressure data captured at the time the electrical machine is running at a site the electrical machine locates of the electrical machine is obtained. Further, dentification information of the electrical machine is obtained. Using the identification information, at least one parameter value stored in a digital model of the electrical machine is obtained. Then, using at least the sound data and the at least one parameter value, at least one first value indicating operation of the electrical machine is determined and displayed.