Rotating Machine Vibration Correlation for Subsystem Fault Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring rotating machines with multiple subsystems, such as axial piston pumps and rotary pressure exchangers, face challenges in accurately evaluating complex vibration signals due to overlapping frequencies from different sources, leading to difficulty in identifying potential faults and requiring complex analysis that is sensitive to sensor positioning and environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving sampling vibration measurement signals into subsignals corresponding to one full revolution of the machine, averaging to create a reference subsignal, and performing cross-correlation analysis of signal snippets assigned to individual subsystems to identify potential faults, which is independent of sensor positioning and environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vibration measurement signals are analyzed using conventional methods, then vibration data can be collected, but the analysis becomes complex and inaccurate due to overlapping frequencies from different sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration signal analysis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vibration measurement signal into multiple revolution-based segments (first through fifth revolution segments). Each segment corresponds to one complete revolution of the rotating machine, allowing frequencies from different sources to be separated and analyzed individually rather than as overlapping composite signals. This segmentation enables precise identification of subsystem-specific vibration patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary reference revolution segment that is generated by averaging multiple revolution segments. This reference segment serves as a mediator for comparison against individual revolution segments, enabling the detection of deviations that indicate potential faults. The intermediary reference provides a stable baseline that simplifies the analysis of complex overlapping vibration signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional vibration monitoring methods are used, then general vibration levels can be detected, but reliable fault identification becomes difficult due to sensitivity to sensor positioning and environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault identification reliabilityVSAvoidsensor positioning sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by analyzing vibration signals in discrete revolution-based segments rather than continuous monitoring. Each revolution segment captures a complete periodic cycle of the rotating machine, allowing consistent comparison across multiple revolutions. This periodic approach eliminates sensitivity to sensor positioning because each segment captures the same mechanical events in the same rotational context, regardless of where in the cycle measurement begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the vibration signal into standardized revolution segments before analysis. By organizing the raw vibration data into consistent one-revolution segments and creating a reference segment in advance, the system establishes a stable framework for fault detection that is independent of environmental factors and sensor positioning variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If continuous vibration monitoring is performed, then machine operation can be tracked, but calibration requirements increase due to environmental conditions and sensor placement variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidcalibration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the vibration signal from continuous time-domain data into discrete revolution-based segments with standardized parameters. Each segment is normalized to represent one complete revolution, changing the parameter framework from continuous amplitude-time to discrete revolution-count. This parameter transformation eliminates the need for calibration against environmental conditions because the revolution-based normalization inherently compensates for variations in sensor placement and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4513151B1Method of monitoring a rotating machine configured for energy transfer having a plurality of subsystems
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 DANFOSS AS
  • EP4513151B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4513151B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP4513151B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of monitoring a rotating machine configured for energy transfer having a plurality of subsystems, each subsystem comprising one cylinder. In the method a measurement signal of a vibration of the rotating machine is obtained and the vibration measurement signal (2) is sampled into a plurality of vibration subsignals (21, 22, 23, 24, 25), each vibration subsignal (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) corresponding to one full revolution of the rotating machine. A reference vibration subsignal (20) is determined based on an average of the plurality of vibration subsignals (21, 22, 23, 24, 25). The reference vibration subsignal (20) is sampled into a plurality of signal snippets (201, 202, 203, 204, 205), each signal snippet (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) assigned to one subsystem of the rotating machine. A cross-correlation analysis of the plurality of signal snippets (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) is performed for identifying a potential fault state of the rotating machine. The invention further relates to a rotating machine configured for energy transfer having a plurality of subsystems, each subsystem comprising one cylinder, is provided, wherein the rotating machine further comprises a control unit adapted to perform a method according the invention.