Triaxial Accelerometer Mounting Adapter for Precise Axis Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Proper alignment of a triaxial accelerometer's reference axis with the measurement axis of a machinery component is challenging due to misalignment issues caused by single mounting studs and unsynchronized thread patterns, leading to inaccurate vibration data collection.

Innovation Solution

An alignment system comprising an adaptor with a mounting plate and integrated plate stud, which includes a screw for securing the accelerometer, allowing for alignment of the reference axis indicator with a measurement axis indicator on the mounting plate, ensuring consistent and repeatable alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single mounting stud is used to secure the accelerometer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision between the reference axis and measurement axis deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is segmented into multiple studs (at least two studs) instead of a single stud. Each stud is positioned at specific locations on the mounting plate to provide stable support and enable precise alignment of the accelerometer's reference axis with the measurement axis of the machinery component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment indicators are introduced as intermediary elements between the mounting structure and the accelerometer. These indicators (such as marks or features on the mounting plate and corresponding features on the accelerometer) serve as mediators to facilitate precise alignment during installation, ensuring the reference axis aligns with the measurement axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If thread patterns are not synchronized between mounting studs, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment indicators are pre-established on the mounting plate during manufacturing, before the actual accelerometer installation. These indicators are positioned in advance to guide the alignment process, ensuring that when the accelerometer is mounted, its reference axis will align precisely with the measurement axis of the machinery component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical synchronization of thread patterns with a simpler alignment indicator system. Instead of relying on precisely synchronized threads across multiple studs, the alignment is achieved through visual or physical indicators that guide the positioning of the accelerometer, substituting a mechanical threading synchronization system with a more straightforward indicator-based alignment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If alignment indicators are not provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment system complexityVSAvoidvibration data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment indicators serve as intermediary elements that bridge the mounting structure and the accelerometer. These indicators (such as marks, features, or alignment holes) provide a reference system that ensures the accelerometer's reference axis is properly aligned with the measurement axis of the machinery component, thereby ensuring accurate vibration data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment indicators may utilize visual cues such as colored marks, painted features, or visually distinct elements on the mounting plate and accelerometer. These visual indicators make it easy to identify and align the reference axis with the measurement axis during installation, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS11385253B2Triaxial accelerometer mounting adapter

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for aligning a reference axis of an accelerometer with a measurement axis of a machinery component. An adaptor including a mounting plate, a plate stud integrated within the mounting plate, and a screw can be coupled to an accelerometer to ensure proper alignment of the reference axis of the accelerometer with the measurement axis of the machinery component. Aligning the reference axis and the measurement axis using the adaptor ensures that the axial orientation of the vibration data collected by the accelerometer properly corresponds to the intended axis of measurement of the machinery component and thus allows for consistent, repeatable installations of the accelerometer onto the machinery component without introducing alignment errors which can generate erroneous vibration data with respect to one or more axes of measurement.