Electromechanical Resonator Condition Monitoring via Efficiency Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distinguishing between measurement-related changes and other causes of vibration behavior changes in electromechanical resonators is challenging, particularly in applications like fill level measurement, where contact with the medium reduces oscillation amplitude and frequency, making it difficult to maintain consistent and uniform oscillations, and potentially leading to inaccurate measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the electromechanical efficiency of the resonator at two points in time, calculates changes, and compares them to a predefinable limit value to identify a status indicator, which can distinguish between measurement-related and other causes of vibration changes, ensuring high measurement accuracy by identifying aging or defects in components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the resonator contacts the medium for measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but oscillation amplitude and frequency change leading to measurement accuracy degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the electromechanical efficiency of the resonator and comparing it against reference values. The system detects changes in oscillation parameters caused by medium contact and uses this information to distinguish between measurement-related changes and other causes, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while preserving measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation parameter (electromechanical efficiency) that mediates between the resonator's interaction with the medium and the measurement system. This intermediary allows the system to monitor the effects of medium contact without directly interfering with the measurement process, enabling differentiation between measurement-induced changes and other causes.
2Productivity
If the resonator operates continuously, then productivity is improved, but component aging and defects accumulate leading to reliability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing reference values for electromechanical efficiency before continuous operation begins. These reference values serve as a baseline for detecting future changes, allowing the system to monitor component aging and defects throughout continuous operation without interrupting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors electromechanical efficiency during operation and provides feedback on component condition. By comparing current efficiency values against reference values, the system can detect degradation trends and alert operators to potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance while maintaining continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If the oscillation amplitude is reduced for measurement, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but oscillation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromechanical efficiency as an intermediary parameter that decouples the relationship between oscillation amplitude reduction and stability maintenance. By monitoring this intermediary metric, the system can detect when amplitude reduction for measurement purposes begins to affect stability, allowing for appropriate adjustments to be made.
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 method allows for accurate differentiation between measurement-related and other causes of vibration changes, ensuring high measurement accuracy and enabling timely replacement or repair of components, thus maintaining consistent oscillations and accurate process variable determination.
Implementation Method 1
the electromechanical converter unit comprises at least one piezoelectric element. The electromechanical resonator can be excited to mechanical oscillations by means of an electrical excitation signal
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical oscillations of the resonator can in turn be received in the form of an electrical reception signal
Implementation Method 3
For this reason, a predefinable value for the phase shift, that is to say a target value for the phase shift between the excitation signal and the received signal, is often set. For this purpose, a wide variety of solutions, with both analog and digital methods, have become known from the prior art
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of at least one component (3, 4) of an electromechanical resonator (2) with at least one piezoelectrical element (4) which can be excited to mechanical vibration by means of an electrical excitation signal (AA) and the mechanical vibrations of which can be received in the form of an incoming electrical signal (AE). According to the invention, the following method steps are carried out at least at a first point in time (t1) and at a second point in time (t2): a. determining an amplification factor (V90) of the electromechanical resonator (2); b. determining a mechanical quality (Q) of the electromechanical resonator (2); and c. establishing an electromechanical efficiency (k(t1)) of the electromechanical resonator (2) at least from the amplification factor (V90) and the mechanical quality (Q). Then, a change over time in the electromechanical efficiency (Δk(t)) is calculated using a comparison at least of the electromechanical efficiency (k(t1)) established at the point in time (t1) and of the electromechanical efficiency (k(t2)) established at the point in time (t2), and the change over time in the electromechanical efficiency (Δk(t)) is compared with a predefinable threshold (Δk) for the change in the electromechanical efficiency (Δk(t)), and a condition indicator is determined from the comparison.