Multi-Sensor Pump Vibration Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In circulation pump systems, vibration signals indicating pump faults can originate from external sources, leading to misinterpretation of signals as internal faults, and existing technologies struggle to accurately discriminate between internal and external faults.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement comprising at least two vibration sensors installed at different parts of a pump, along with an evaluation module that compares signals to differentiate between internal and external faults based on time-of-arrival and frequency analysis, reducing the risk of misinterpretation by validating or rejecting initial fault discriminations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single vibration sensor is used to detect pump faults, then the detection capability is simple and cost-effective, but the accuracy of fault discrimination between internal and external sources is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple monitoring zones by placing vibration sensors at different locations (e.g., pump inlet, pump outlet, motor housing). Each sensor captures vibration characteristics specific to its location, enabling the system to segment and identify the source of vibrations more accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation module acts as an intermediary that receives vibration signals from multiple sensors, processes them using signal processing techniques, and discriminates between internal and external fault sources by analyzing the characteristics and propagation patterns of the vibrations.
2Reliability
If multiple vibration sensors are installed at different pump parts, then the accuracy of fault discrimination is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into multiple monitoring points with sensors strategically placed to capture vibrations from different sources. This segmentation allows the evaluation module to compare and contrast vibration patterns to reliably identify whether faults originate internally or externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation module continuously monitors vibration signals from multiple sensors and provides feedback on the health status of the pump system. By analyzing the correlation and time-of-arrival of vibrations at different sensor locations, the system reliably discriminates between internal and external fault sources.
3Loss of information
If vibration signals are monitored without multiple sensor comparison, then the monitoring system remains simple, but misinterpretation of external signals as internal faults occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation module serves as an intelligent intermediary that processes raw vibration signals from multiple sensors, applying signal processing algorithms to extract meaningful information. It compares the characteristics of vibrations detected at different locations and times to accurately determine the fault source, preventing misinterpretation of external signals as internal faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of vibration signals by comparing their time-of-arrival and characteristics at multiple sensor locations before making a fault determination. This preliminary action of cross-validating signals from different sensors ensures accurate information extraction and prevents misinterpretation.
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 effectively reduces the risk of misinterpreting external signals as internal faults and improves confidence in fault discrimination by comparing signals from multiple sensors, enhancing the accuracy of fault identification in circulation pump systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first vibration sensor installed at a first pump part of one of the at least the pump, a second vibration sensor installed at a second pump part of said pump
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement is for monitoring a circulation pump system (1) which includes at least one pump (3). The sensor arrangement includes a first vibration sensor (5) installed at a first pump part (11) of one of the at least one pump (3) and a second vibration sensor (7) installed at a second pump part (13) of the pump (3) and an evaluation module (9). The first pump part (11) and the second pump part (29) have a distance to each other. The evaluation module (9), is configured to discriminate between at least two of k≥2 different types of faults based on comparing first signals received from the first vibration sensor (5) and second signals received from the second vibration sensor (7).