Torsional Damper Damage Warning Using Operating History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing torsional damper condition in machine systems are complex and require additional hardware, and there is a need for a more efficient way to prognostically warn of damper damage based on operating history.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that monitor machine operating parameters such as torsional load amplitude, frequency, and direction, along with temperature, to calculate a damper damage term and trigger a warning based on a populated operating history, using an electronic control unit to activate a warning device when the damage term exceeds a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration signal comparison method is used to diagnose torsional damper condition, then damper health can be monitored, but additional dedicated hardware and complex diagnostic procedures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamper health monitoringVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing vibration monitoring system is made multi-functional by adding prognostic capabilities. The same vibration sensors and processing infrastructure used for general vibration analysis are extended to specifically predict torsional damper failures, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary damage assessment by continuously analyzing vibration patterns and calculating damage indices before actual damper failure occurs. This proactive approach allows early warning and preventive maintenance scheduling, avoiding unexpected failures without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If traditional vibration analysis is used for damper diagnostics, then damper condition can be assessed, but the method is relatively complex and requires dedicated hardware

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamper condition assessmentVSAvoiddiagnostic procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical vibration analysis procedure is replaced with an automated electronic processing system. The ECU automatically captures vibration signals, compares them against reference patterns, calculates damage indices, and generates diagnostic results, replacing manual analysis with automated computational methods that are both precise and simple to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic system performs self-assessment by automatically comparing current vibration patterns against stored reference data and calculating damage metrics without requiring external expert intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring its own operational state and providing diagnostic outputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If no prognostic system is used, then the machine system operates without additional monitoring complexity, but unexpected damper failures can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidunexpected failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring vibration patterns and calculating damage indices in real-time during normal operation. This feedback loop provides ongoing assessment of damper health without interrupting productivity, allowing the system to maintain high utilization while progressively tracking damper degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The prognostic system performs preliminary damage detection and warning before actual damper failure occurs. By identifying degradation trends early in the damper's life cycle, the system enables planned maintenance scheduling that prevents unexpected failures while minimizing disruption to continuous operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3816475B1Prognostic torsional damper damage determination in machine system
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP3816475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816475B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3816475B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Prognostically warning of damper damage in a machine system (10) includes monitoring a machine (12) operating parameter linked with torsional loads on a crankshaft (20), and a temperature parameter. The prognostic warning strategy also includes populating an operating history of a machine system (10) based on the monitored parameters, calculating a damper damage term based on the operating history, and triggering a damper damage warning where the damper damage term exceeds a threshold.