Vibration Sensor Monitoring Multiple Rotating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vibration data acquisition methods for machinery with multiple rotating elements at different speeds require multiple sensor acquisitions at variable sampling rates, leading to lengthy data acquisition times and reduced aircraft availability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a vibration sensor and tachometer that samples data at a rate sufficient to monitor the fastest rotational speed, determines actual rotational frequencies, and generates virtual vibration waveforms by filtering data to a sampling rate suitable for each rotating element, allowing a single sensor to monitor multiple components efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration data is acquired on a per component basis using variable sampling rates, then measurement precision for each component is improved, but data acquisition time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single vibration sensor to monitor multiple rotating components simultaneously. The system samples vibration data at a unified high sampling rate that captures all components, then uses digital signal processing to extract information from each component at its specific rotational speed. This eliminates the need for multiple separate sensor acquisitions and dramatically reduces total data collection time while maintaining component-specific measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor acquisitions are performed at variable sampling rates, then adaptability to different rotational speeds is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing all vibration sampling at a predetermined high sampling rate that is sufficient for the fastest rotating component before any processing occurs. This unified high-rate sampling captures all components simultaneously in a single acquisition event. The system then uses digital signal processing techniques to extract information from each component at its specific rotational speed, eliminating the need for multiple separate acquisitions and reducing total time loss.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor monitors multiple components, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for individual components may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical approach of using multiple separate sensors with one sensor and multiple components with a digital signal processing-based system. A single vibration sensor captures data at a unified high sampling rate, and digital signal processing algorithms then separate and analyze each component's vibration characteristics based on their distinct rotational speeds. This substitution maintains or improves measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
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 approach reduces data acquisition time, enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple components, and increases the likelihood of detecting mechanical faults before they occur, thereby enhancing aircraft availability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor configured to measure vibrations of the multiple rotating elements
Implementation Method 2
generating a virtual vibration waveform from the data set for at least some of the rotating elements by filtering the data set to a sample rate to monitor each of the at least some of the rotating elements
Data Source
AI summary
A method of component monitoring for machinery having multiple rotating elements, which are rotated at different rotational speeds, the method including sampling data from the vibration sensor at a sampling frequency at least as great as the fastest rotational speed of the multiple rotating elements to form a data set and determining an actual rotational frequency for at least some of the rotating elements during the sampling of the data.