Rotating Machinery Failure Detection Using Full-Spectrum Vibration Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for failure mode detection in machinery with rotating components are limited by requiring experienced engineers and analyzing narrow frequency windows, leading to reduced accuracy and inefficiency in predicting and addressing potential failures.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses vibration data to generate a frequency spectrum and compares it to predetermined frequency models across an entire frequency range, enabling automated, real-time detection of failure modes without user input, thereby improving accuracy and enabling targeted maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods analyze narrow frequency windows in the frequency spectrum, then the analysis process is simple and quick, but the accuracy of failure mode detection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of failure mode detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency spectrum is divided into multiple narrow frequency windows, each analyzed separately to detect specific failure modes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in individual window analysis while achieving comprehensive detection accuracy across the entire frequency spectrum through the combination of multiple window analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If experienced engineers perform manual evaluation of frequency spectra, then failure modes can be identified with high accuracy, but the process requires expensive and less common expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of failure mode detectionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated failure mode detection by comparing frequency spectra against a database of known failure signatures, eliminating the need for experienced engineers to manually evaluate spectra. The computer system serves itself by autonomously identifying failure modes through pattern recognition algorithms, making the process both accurate and easily operable by personnel without specialized expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the entire frequency spectrum is analyzed for failure detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but the computational complexity and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of failure mode detectionVSAvoidtime for analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes vibration data and identifies significant frequency components before performing full spectral analysis. By preparing the data in advance and focusing computational resources on relevant frequency ranges and potential failure modes, the system achieves comprehensive detection accuracy without requiring excessive analysis time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system provides improved accuracy in predicting failure timelines and types, reduces unexpected downtime, and allows for targeted maintenance, enhancing maintenance scheduling and reducing the need for costly overhauls.

Implementation Method 1

obtain vibration data from a sensor configured to measure vibrations of a rotating machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4043699B1System and method for automated failure mode detection of rotating machinery
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • EP4043699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that support automated failure mode detection for rotating machinery based on vibration analysis. To illustrate, a computing device may receive vibration data from one or more sensors configured to measure vibrations of a rotating machine, such as an engine. The computing device may generate a frequency spectrum based on the vibration data (or receive the frequency spectrum) and compare the frequency spectrum to one or more predetermined frequency models to determine one or more similarity metrics. The one or more predetermined frequency models may each be associated with a respective failure mode of the rotating machine. The computing device may identify a failure mode associated with a predetermined frequency model that corresponds to a similarity metric that satisfies a threshold, and the computing device may output an indication of the identified failure mode.