Radar-Guided Stroboscope for Automated Vibration Frequency Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting vibration frequencies in machines are either expensive, require manual intervention, or are not fully automated, and are inefficient due to the need for high-frame-rate cameras or stroboscopes tuned to specific frequencies, which limits their effectiveness in capturing higher vibration frequencies and requires extensive point-by-point scanning.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method using a RADAR-guided stroboscope and a 30 fps optical camera to detect and map vibration frequencies in machines by recording video outputs and applying Fast Fourier Transform to identify peak frequencies, allowing for automated and cost-effective detection of spatially located vibrating parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frame rate cameras are used to detect vibration frequencies, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stroboscope as an intermediary device that illuminates the vibrating object with pulsed light at controllable frequencies. This mediator converts the high-frequency vibration detection problem into a lower frequency strobe synchronization problem, allowing a standard 30fps camera to capture vibration frequencies that would otherwise require expensive high-frame-rate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The stroboscope creates visual copies or snapshots of the vibrating object at specific phases of its vibration cycle. By capturing multiple frozen images at different strobe frequencies and synthesizing them, the system reconstructs high-frequency vibration information using a low-frame-rate camera, effectively copying the high-frequency motion patterns into the low-frame-rate video stream.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual stroboscopes are used for objects moving at different speeds, then adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual intervention and high convergence time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the stroboscope frequency based on the detected motion speed of the object. The processor analyzes the video stream to determine object speed and automatically tunes the strobe frequency accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining adaptability to different speeds and ensuring rapid convergence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the processor continuously monitors the video stream, detects object motion characteristics, and adjusts the stroboscope frequency in real-time. This closed-loop control enables the system to automatically adapt to different object speeds and vibration frequencies, significantly improving productivity while maintaining versatility.
3Measurement precision
If point-lasers are used for fault detection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to point-by-point scanning taking up a lot of time
Solution Approach 1:
The stroboscope system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it illuminates the entire field of view, freezes vibration motion across all visible points, and enables frequency detection for multiple vibrating parts in parallel. This eliminates the need for sequential point-by-point scanning with point-lasers, achieving both high precision and high productivity by making the detection system universal across the entire machine surface.
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 provides a cost-effective, automated, and efficient method for detecting vibration frequencies in machines, reducing the need for high-frame-rate cameras and manual intervention, while improving the resolution and accuracy of vibration frequency detection.
Implementation Method 1
initiating, by a stroboscope, strobing at each vibration frequency from the set of vibration frequencies
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for unobtrusive and automated detection of frequencies of spatially located distinct parts of a machine. Location of vibration and detection of vibration frequency of each vibrating part in a machine is critical for routine monitoring and fault detection in the machine. Current solutions use either high frames per second (fps) industrial grade camera or stroboscopes tuned at one particular frequency. Manual stroboscopes require manual intervention for objects moving at different speeds with high convergence time. Point-lasers need prior knowledge of exact location of faults. Also Point-by-point scanning of a large machine body is time consuming. In the present disclosure, a movement detector such as RADAR enables detecting all vibration frequencies that also serve to reduce the search space of a stroboscope configured to start strobing at each detected vibration frequency to enable mapping of each vibration frequency to a corresponding vibrating part.