Electrical Machine Signals for Early Rotating Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to detect early and reliably vibrations caused by gap-dependent forces in rotating machinery, such as those in aircraft engines, which can lead to increased wear, performance deterioration, and potential failure due to oil film-induced vibrations and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an electrical machine with a rotor and stator to provide signals indicative of motion and torque between components, allowing for the detection and monitoring of vibration signatures through an analysis unit, which can isolate and amplify specific frequencies associated with gap-dependent orbits, enabling precise and early detection of vibrations and potential instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional vibration detection systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the detection precision and reliability of early vibrations are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments vibration detection into multiple frequency ranges, with specialized sensors for different bands (low-frequency for oil whirl, mid-frequency for misalignment, high-frequency for gear defects). This segmentation enables precise detection of specific vibration types while maintaining system manageability through modular sensor deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing units and frequency analysis modules as intermediaries between raw vibration sensors and the control system. These intermediaries filter, amplify, and analyze vibration signals to extract meaningful information about gap-dependent forces, thereby improving detection precision without requiring overly complex sensor hardware.
2Reliability
If monitoring is continuous to ensure early detection, then reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic vibration monitoring at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The control system activates sensors and signal processing at scheduled intervals to detect changes in vibration patterns, ensuring reliable early detection of gap-dependent forces while minimizing energy consumption by keeping sensors and processing units dormant between monitoring cycles.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to cover all frequency ranges, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by deploying different types of vibration sensors optimized for specific frequency ranges at different locations in the drivetrain. Low-frequency sensors monitor oil film vibrations near journal bearings, while high-frequency sensors are positioned near gear meshes. This localized sensor deployment achieves comprehensive frequency coverage without requiring every sensor to detect all frequencies, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
This approach allows for the precise and early detection of vibrations due to gap-dependent forces, enabling timely intervention to prevent rotor misalignment and instability, thereby reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of engine components.
Implementation Method 1
When an electrical machine, such as an electrical drive, is connected to the rotatable component(s), unbalanced magnetic forces are induced in the electrical machine as a consequence of asymmetrical gap-dependent forces being generated on other rotors
Implementation Method 2
an analysis unit adapted to receive the signals from the electrical machine, and to detect a vibration signature of the rotatable component with respect to the other component based on the signals received from the electrical machine
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures, where a system for vibration detection is shown, the system comprising: one or more drivelines including a rotatable component rotatable about a rotational axis relative to another component; an electrical machine having a rotor and a stator rotatable with respect to one another, the rotor being arranged to at least one of drive and be driven by a part of the driveline, the electrical machine being adapted to provide signals indicative for at least one of a motion and a force between the rotor and the stator and a torque applied on the rotor; and an analysis unit adapted to receive the signals and to detect a vibration signature of the rotatable component with respect to the other component based on the signals.