Sensor Deterioration Diagnosis for Exploration Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and inefficiency of managing and operating sensors for resource exploration, particularly due to the lack of advanced failure diagnosis methods, leading to unnecessary replacements and interruptions in resource exploration operations.

Innovation Solution

An exploration system comprising an artificial seismic source, sensor terminals with unique identifiers, environmental sensors, and a computer that records and analyzes performance deterioration based on external environmental factors, allowing for predictive maintenance and reduced waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sensors are replaced based on elapsed time from manufacture, then sensor replacement is simplified, but unnecessary replacements occur and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor replacement simplicityVSAvoidunnecessary sensor replacements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnosis of sensor deterioration by monitoring environmental factors (temperature, humidity, vibration) and calculating deterioration degrees before actual failure occurs. This allows proactive replacement only when truly necessary, eliminating unnecessary replacements based on time alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor performance and environmental conditions, providing feedback to calculate and update the deterioration degree. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic replacement decisions based on actual sensor condition rather than fixed time intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of substance

If sensors are monitored continuously to detect deterioration, then replacement cost is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor replacement costVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor terminal performs self-diagnosis by internally monitoring its own environmental conditions and calculating its deterioration degree. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while still achieving cost reduction through informed replacement decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The environmental sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors temperature, humidity, and vibration conditions, and this data is universally applied to calculate deterioration degrees for multiple sensors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If high-sensitivity MEMS sensors are used, then detection sensitivity improves, but failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsensor failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the deterioration degree of MEMS sensors in advance based on environmental conditions before failure occurs. This allows proactive maintenance that prevents failures of high-sensitivity sensors while maintaining their detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By continuously monitoring environmental factors and calculating deterioration trends, the system provides a cushion against sudden failures. When the deterioration degree approaches critical thresholds, replacement can be scheduled in advance, preventing operational interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system lowers operational costs by enabling early detection of sensor deterioration, reducing unnecessary replacements, and optimizing resource exploration operations.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of sensor terminals includes a velocity or acceleration sensor that detects vibration generated by the artificial seismic source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10877173B2Exploration system and diagnosing method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 HITACHI LTD

AI summary

An exploration system includes an artificial seismic source, sensor terminals, an environmental sensor, and a computer, wherein each of a plurality of sensor terminals is provided with a velocity or acceleration sensor which detects vibration generated by the artificial seismic source, and an identifier which is unique to the velocity or acceleration sensor; the environmental sensor detects an external environment which influences the velocity or acceleration sensor; and the computer stores a deterioration model which possibly indicates, as a degree of deterioration, performance deterioration of the velocity or acceleration sensor by providing information about the external environment as a variable, associates, with the identifier, the information about the external environment detected by the environmental sensor, stores the information about the external environment as a usage history, and determines a deterioration state of the velocity or acceleration sensor or the sensor terminal on the basis of the deterioration model.