Swivel Residual Life Monitoring Using Rotation Count Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to determine when a swivel has reached the end of its life, leading to potential safety hazards and environmental risks due to leakage of hazardous fluids, as existing methods lack effective predictive maintenance solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining the residual life of a swivel by measuring angular rotation, linear displacement, and rotational direction, using a sensor unit with gyroscopes and accelerometers to calculate rotational count, and providing visual and wireless alerts when nearing the end of life, along with an electronic device for processing video frames to identify rotational patterns and calculate remaining rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the swivel is used beyond its design life, then the operational duration is extended, but the reliability deteriorates due to seal wear and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of rotational cycles and provides advance warning before the swivel reaches its end of life. The sensor unit continuously tracks the rotational count and compares it against the design life threshold, triggering an alarm signal in advance to schedule maintenance before seal wear causes leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the rotational count through the sensor unit and providing real-time information about the swivel's remaining life. The alarm signal provides feedback when the threshold is approached, enabling operators to take corrective action before reliability deteriorates.
2Device complexity
If no monitoring system is installed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of rotational count deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms with electronic sensors and digital processing. The sensor unit uses gyroscope and accelerometer data to electronically track rotational count, replacing what would otherwise require complex mechanical counters and manual observation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is self-contained, with the sensor unit autonomously tracking rotational count and the processor automatically comparing it against design life thresholds. The system serves itself by providing built-in monitoring capabilities without requiring external complex infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual inspection methods are used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring end of life increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection methods with electronic sensing and digital processing. The sensor unit automatically tracks rotational count through inertial measurement, eliminating the need for manual observation and calculation of rotational cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit acts as an intermediary between the swivel's mechanical rotation and the digital monitoring system. It converts physical rotational motion into electronic signals that can be processed and compared against design life thresholds, bridging the gap between mechanical operation and digital analysis.
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
Enables predictive maintenance by accurately determining the remaining life of a swivel, preventing leaks and ensuring safety by providing timely alerts and data transmission, thus reducing the risk of hazardous fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor unit includes a gyroscope sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit includes an accelerometer sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a residual life of a swivel. The method includes determining at least one of an angular rotation, a linear displacement and a rotational direction of at least one swivel and determining rotational count of the at least one swivel based on the determined at least one of the angular rotation, the linear displacement and the rotational direction of the at least one swivel. Further, the method includes indicating a residual life information of the at least one swivel based on the determined rotational count of the at least one swivel. Further, the embodiments herein also provide an electronic device for determining residual life of a swivel.