Vibration-Based Hydraulic Shock Detection Without Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting hydraulic shock in fluid systems are often unreliable and require direct contact sensors, which can be damaged by the shock events and are difficult to implement and maintain.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a vibration sensor to detect peaks in the vibration velocity signal, which are then classified as hydraulic shock events, without the need for direct contact pressure sensors. This approach includes processing units to obtain, filter, and analyze the vibration signals for reliable detection and classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to detect hydraulic shock events, then detection accuracy is improved, but sensor reliability deteriorates due to risk of damage from direct contact with fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vibration sensors mounted on pump components as intermediaries to detect hydraulic shock events indirectly through vibrations transmitted through the pump structure, rather than placing sensors directly in contact with the fluid. This mediator approach allows accurate detection of pressure surges while protecting sensors from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pressure sensors (direct mechanical contact with fluid) with vibration sensors that detect mechanical vibrations transmitted through the pump housing and components. This substitution maintains detection capability while eliminating the need for direct fluid contact.
2Ease of operation
If vibration sensors are used instead of pressure sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pressure measurement with vibration measurement, using the mechanical vibrations transmitted through pump components as a proxy for detecting hydraulic shock events. This substitution simplifies sensor installation and maintenance while the patent demonstrates that detection accuracy is maintained through proper signal processing and analysis of vibration patterns.
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 method provides a reliable, cost-efficient, and sensor-friendly way to detect hydraulic shock events, reducing the risk of sensor damage and facilitating easier implementation and maintenance by using vibration velocity signals for accurate classification.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor operable to output a vibration sensor signal indicative of sensed vibrations of one or more components of the fluid system
Implementation Method 2
obtaining the vibration velocity signal comprises receiving the vibration acceleration signal from the vibration sensor and transforming the received vibration acceleration signal into a vibration velocity signal, e.g. by integrating the vibration acceleration signal with respect to time
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus for detecting hydraulic shock events in a fluid system, the apparatus comprising a vibration sensor operable to output a vibration sensor signal indicative of sensed vibrations of one or more components of the fluid system, and a processing unit configured to: obtain a vibration velocity signal from the vibration sensor signal, the vibration velocity signal being indicative of a vibration velocity of the one or more components of the fluid system; detect one or more peaks in the vibration velocity signal; and classify one or more of the detected peaks as a hydraulic shock event.