Engine Health Monitoring Data Alignment Using a Synchronisation Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of synchronization between data from permanently installed engine health monitoring systems and temporary troubleshooting kits leads to unsynchronized and potentially misleading data, as obtaining a reliable common time stamp is not feasible, which is a challenge in engine health monitoring systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for synchronizing sensor data from multiple EHM systems by using a synchronisation sensor to derive engine speed from a frequency signal, adjusting time signals to align data, and applying time dilation or offset to ensure synchronized data acquisition from both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple EHM systems (permanent and temporary) are installed on an engine to monitor additional parameters, then the monitoring capability and agility are improved, but the data synchronization becomes difficult or impossible, leading to potentially misleading data
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronisation sensor is introduced as an intermediary device that both EHM systems can access. This sensor provides a common reference signal (synchronisation signal) that enables both systems to align their time stamps and data records, resolving the synchronization problem without requiring direct coordination between the two EHM systems
2Reliability
If a common time stamp is used to synchronise data from multiple EHM systems, then data alignment is improved, but the system complexity and certification requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Each EHM system independently generates its own time stamps and data records without requiring complex inter-system communication or coordination. The synchronisation sensor provides a reference that each system uses autonomously to align its data, eliminating the need for a centralized time synchronization mechanism and reducing overall system complexity
3Productivity
If temporary troubleshooting kits are installed to monitor emergent engine problems, then the agility and additional monitoring capability are improved, but the lack of context and synchronization with permanent EHM data makes the data less useful or misleading
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronisation sensor acts as a mediator that connects the temporary TSK system with the permanent EHM system through a common time reference. This allows the TSK data to be properly contextualized and aligned with the permanent system's data, preserving the agility benefits while eliminating the loss of data context
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
Ensures synchronized data alignment between permanent and temporary EHM systems, enhancing the utility and reliability of engine health monitoring by providing a common time base for data analysis, reducing certification complexities, and enabling efficient data integration.
Implementation Method 1
The synchronisation sensor may be a vibration sensor physically attached to the engine.
Implementation Method 2
The synchronisation sensor may be a non-contact sensor configured to measure vibration or movement of a part of the engine.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to synchronising measurement data for engine health monitoring when using more than one engine health monitoring system. Example embodiments include a method of synchronising sensor data from first and second engine health monitoring, EHM, systems installed on an engine, each EHM system having a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters of the engine, the method comprising:acquiring first and second sensor data from the plurality of sensors at the first and second EHM systems, the first sensor data including a measured engine speed; logging the first sensor data against a first time signal from the first EHM system and the second sensor data against a second time signal from the second EHM system; acquiring a synchronisation signal from a synchronisation sensor mounted to a part of the engine; deriving an engine speed from a frequency of the synchronisation signal; determining a timing difference between the first and second time signals from the derived engine speed and the measured engine speed; and adjusting the second time signal for the second sensor data to align the second sensor data in time with the first sensor data.