WO2013117816A1 - Detection of misbehavior of a damper element - Google Patents

Detection of misbehavior of a damper element Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013117816A1
WO2013117816A1 PCT/FI2013/050134 FI2013050134W WO2013117816A1 WO 2013117816 A1 WO2013117816 A1 WO 2013117816A1 FI 2013050134 W FI2013050134 W FI 2013050134W WO 2013117816 A1 WO2013117816 A1 WO 2013117816A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vibration
damper element
sensor
indication
met
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2013/050134
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Antti OJANPERÄ
Original Assignee
Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wärtsilä Finland Oy filed Critical Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Publication of WO2013117816A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013117816A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K5/00—Casings; Enclosures; Supports
    • H02K5/24—Casings; Enclosures; Supports specially adapted for suppression or reduction of noise or vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load
    • B60G17/015—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements
    • B60G17/018—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
    • B60G17/0185—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method for failure detection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F15/00—Suppression of vibrations in systems; Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
    • F16F9/32—Details
    • F16F9/3292—Sensor arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M15/00—Testing of engines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/004—Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
    • B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
    • B60G2204/11—Mounting of sensors thereon
    • B60G2204/112—Mounting of sensors thereon on dampers, e.g. fluid dampers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
    • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
    • B60G2206/90—Maintenance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
    • B60G2400/10—Acceleration; Deceleration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
    • B60G2400/10—Acceleration; Deceleration
    • B60G2400/102—Acceleration; Deceleration vertical
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2400/00—Indexing codes relating to detected, measured or calculated conditions or factors
    • B60G2400/90—Other conditions or factors
    • B60G2400/91—Frequency
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2401/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of sensors based on the principle of their operation
    • B60G2401/90—Single sensor for two or more measurements
    • B60G2401/904—Single sensor for two or more measurements the sensor being an xyz axis sensor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2600/00—Indexing codes relating to particular elements, systems or processes used on suspension systems or suspension control systems
    • B60G2600/02—Retarders, delaying means, dead zones, threshold values, cut-off frequency, timer interruption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2600/00—Indexing codes relating to particular elements, systems or processes used on suspension systems or suspension control systems
    • B60G2600/04—Means for informing, instructing or displaying
    • B60G2600/042—Monitoring means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2600/00—Indexing codes relating to particular elements, systems or processes used on suspension systems or suspension control systems
    • B60G2600/08—Failure or malfunction detecting means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2800/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of movement or to the condition of the vehicle and to the end result to be achieved by the control action
    • B60G2800/80—Detection or control after a system or component failure
    • B60G2800/802—Diagnostics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2230/00—Purpose; Design features
    • F16F2230/08—Sensor arrangement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2230/00—Purpose; Design features
    • F16F2230/24—Detecting or preventing malfunction, e.g. fail safe
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D11/00—Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D11/24—Housings ; Casings for instruments
    • G01D11/245—Housings for sensors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
    • G01H15/00—Measuring mechanical or acoustic impedance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
    • G01H17/00—Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M13/00—Testing of machine parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B23/00—Testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof
    • G05B23/02—Electric testing or monitoring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/182—Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/002—Devices for damping, suppressing, obstructing or conducting sound in acoustic devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/08—Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G12—INSTRUMENT DETAILS
    • G12B—CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF INSTRUMENTS, OR COMPARABLE DETAILS OF OTHER APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G12B17/00—Screening
    • G12B17/08—Screening from influences producing mechanical damage, e.g. caused by blast, by external objects, by person
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G12—INSTRUMENT DETAILS
    • G12B—CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF INSTRUMENTS, OR COMPARABLE DETAILS OF OTHER APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G12B9/00—Housing or supporting of instruments or other apparatus

Definitions

  • the Invention concerns in general the technical field of detection of misbehavior of a damper element. Especially the invention concerns a device, a system and a method for detecting misbehavior of a damper element based on a change in vibration measured by means of at least one sensor.
  • monitoring systems and methods for engines are developed.
  • the aim of the monitoring systems is to detect any misbehavior of an engine or system so that one can intervene to the misbehavior early enough and thus prevent any damage to an engine and/or a system.
  • the monitoring systems comprise sensors installed on or in the engines to measure different types of parameters, such as temperature, vibration, pressure, speed, power, current, load and so on.
  • one or more control units are either directly or indirectly coupled to the engine for managing the operation of the measurement.
  • the control unit may also be configured to analyze the measurement results as well as to take care of the communication with the engine, sensors and/or any external elements or systems involved in the monitoring and controlling the manufacturing system.
  • control unit is fixed or defachably fixed to an engine.
  • the reason for this Is to avoid any long distance wiring of the control unit to the engine.
  • some of the sensors measuring different parameters of the engine may have been implemented in the control unit (e.g. on an electronic circuit board of the control unit) and thus it would be difficult to arrange the measurement if the control unit was not attached to the engine.
  • the fixing of the control unit to an engine also makes the delivery of the engine system easier, since all elements relating to the engine can be delivered as a one entity thus also helping the installation of it.
  • the control unit can be detachabiy fixed to the engine in multiple ways.
  • the fixing of the control unit to the engine can be achieved by using screws, rivets, adhesives or any similar commonly known fixing method.
  • vibration is a parameter, which is typically measured by the monitoring systems in order to follow-up the operation of the engine.
  • the vibration affects also to the control units and to any components in it.
  • dampers are used in fixing of the control unit to the engine. Dampers are such elements that are configured to absorb at least part of the vibration energy into it and thus reduce the vibration experienced in the control unit.
  • An example of a damper is a so called cylindrical vibration damper.
  • the cylindrical vibration dampers are flexible fixing devices that insulate any element against vibration at least partly.
  • One or more dampers are installed between an engine and a control unit so that compression stress originating from the vibration of the engine is directed against the rubber pad of the cylindrical vibration damper and the vibration can be damped in such a manner that the resonance frequency of the installed device can be transferred to lower frequencies.
  • the control unit experiences a reduced vibration and more specifically, the frequency of the experienced vibration is on a lower level, which is much less damaging for the electronics than a vibration on high frequencies.
  • dampers such as metal wire rope dampers.
  • the monitoring of engines is already performed in a very sophisticated way.
  • the control units coupled to the engines are at least partly Isolated from the vibration sources by means of dampers.
  • there is still one weak link in the monitoring system Namely, there is no way to monitor and detect if a damper gets broken. This may be a result of aging of a damper, wearing of a damper or wrong installation of a damper, for example.
  • the break of a damper causes an increase of vibration towards the control unit and the electronics of the control unit may get damaged as well. In the worst case, the consequence can be a malfunction of the engine causing costs.
  • An objective of the invention is to present a device, a system and a method for improving a monitoring of an entity experiencing vibration in its environment. Another objective of the invention is that the device, the system and the method for monitoring enable a detection of misbehavior of a damper element if that is the case.
  • a device for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element is provided, wherein the at least one damper element is coupled between the device and the source of vibration and configured to dampen the vibration towards the device from the source of vibration.
  • the device comprises a processing unit and a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program.
  • the device further comprises at least a first sensor configured to measure the vibration experienced in the device, wherein by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory, the processing unit is configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory set for vibration for at least the first sensor is met in the measurement, and the device further comprises outputting means, which is configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of the at least one damper element if the threshold value set for vibration for at least the first sensor is met in the measurement.
  • the device may further comprises a second sensor for measuring the vibration experienced in the device and a second threshold stored in the memory set for vibration for the second sensor.
  • At least a portion of the computer program when executed by the processing unit, may be configured to cause the device to compare if both of the sensors have met the threshold.
  • the outputting means of the device may be configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element if only one of the sensors has met the threshold.
  • the sensor in the device may be a three dimensional acceleration sensor.
  • a threshold for at least the first sensor may be set for each of the direction in three dimensional space and stored in the memory.
  • the outputting means may be configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element if the threshold is met in a predetermined direction in the three dimensional space.
  • the objectives of the invention are solved by a system for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element, in which system the at least one damper element Is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration.
  • the system further comprises at least two devices, each of the at least two devices is coupled to a source of vibration through at least one damper element each, wherein each of the at least two devices comprises at least a sensor for measuring vibration experienced in the device, a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program and a threshold value for the vibration, a processing unit, which by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory, is configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory for the vibration is met in the measurement and an outputting means for outputtlng an indication that the threshold value is met in the device.
  • the system comprises a central computing unit for receiving any indication from the outputting means of any of the devices in the system and detecting the number of received indications and in case of one indication, the central computing unit is configured to output of an alarm signal indicating a broken damper element.
  • An identifier of the device detecting that the threshold for the vibration is met in the measurement may be added to the indication by the processing unit in the system.
  • the central computing unit can be implemented in one of the devices in the system. Furthermore, the at least two devices and the central computing unit can be configured to communicate to each other via a communication bus in the system.
  • a method for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element is provide, wherein the at least one damper element is coupled between an device and a source of vibration and the at least one damper element is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration, in which method the vibration is measured in the device by means of a sensor, the measurement value is compared to a threshold value, and if it is detected that the threshold value is met by the measurement value an indication is outputted indicating a broken damper element.
  • the method may further comprise a step of adding an identifier of the device outputting the indication of the broken damper element; to the indication.
  • a device according to the invention is characterized by the features recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a device.
  • a system according to the invention is characterized by the features recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a system.
  • a method according to the invention is characterized by the steps recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a method.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a side view Figure of a device according to an embodiment of the invention
  • fig. 2 illustrates a top view Figure of a device according to another embodiment of the invention
  • fig. 3 illustrates a top view Figure of a system according to an embodiment of the invention
  • fig. 4 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig, 1 illustrates an example of a device according to the invention.
  • the device is coupled to a source of vibration 101 , such as to an engine, either directly or indirectly i.e. over a wall.
  • the device can be a control unit for at least partly monitoring and/or controlling of the operation of the source of vibration 101 , for example.
  • the device comprises a substrate 1 02, such as a circuit board, onto which at least part of the electronics 1 03 performing at least some of the operations of the control unit is implemented.
  • the substrate 102 is detachably fixed to the source of vibration by means of at least one damper element 104.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which it is used two damper elements 1 04 for fixing.
  • the damper elements enable the fixing and detaching of the substrate 1 02 and any components mounted in or on the substrate 102.
  • the damper elements 1 04 comprise rubber material for absorbing at least part of the vibration energy originating from the source of vibration 101 by transforming the shape of the rubber material.
  • the damper elements 104 may also comprise means for fixing it to the source of vibration 01 and the substrate 102, such as nuts on corresponding sides of the damper elements 104 to be matched with holes in the substrate 102 and/or source of vibration 1 01 .
  • a sensor 105 is coupled to the substrate 102.
  • the sensor 105 is selected so that it is capable of measuring a parameter indicating either directly or indirectly the vibration.
  • a sensor 105 is for example an acceleration sensor, preferably 3- dimensional, but any other applicable sensor or transducer, such as an axis sensor, can be used.
  • information on the measurement value of the sensor 105 is transferred to the electronics 103 of the device.
  • the electronics 103 may comprise processing unit comprising one or more processors for performing any necessary operation to at least one measurement value, when executing a computer program comprising instructions relating to the measurement.
  • the computer program may be stored into a memory element comprising one or more memory units implemented in the electronics 103.
  • the measurement values from the sensor 105 can be at least temporarily stored to the memory element for any further need.
  • the electronics 103 comprise a processing unit, memory element and necessary computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed at least partly by the processing unit in order to analyze any measurement value from the sensor.
  • the electronics may further comprise either wired or wireless communication means, such as modem, for communicating with any external entity.
  • Such external entity can be, according to an embodiment of the invention, a central computing unit for monitoring one or more control units of the sources of vibration, such as engines.
  • the electronics Is configured, for example, to transfer the raw data from the sensor 1 05 and/or at least partly analyzed data to the central computing unit for any further processing.
  • processing comprises e.g. judging if the data indicates that the vibration from the source of vibration has broken any damper element 104 used for fixing the device to the source of vibration 101 .
  • the electronics comprise also outputting means for giving an indication of misbehavior of the device, the sensor and/or a damper element if such is detected.
  • the outputting means may comprise at least part of the communication means in order to deliver the indication signal, for example created by the processing unit, to any external party.
  • the device may also comprise a cover 106 in order to protect the device from any external disorder, such as from a dust or any mechanical shock.
  • the cover 106 is not essential as such from the invention point of view even though it is possible to fix at least some elements, such as the sensor, to the cover 106 if desired.
  • the analysis of measurement data from the sensor 1 05 can be done either in the device or in any external entity. It is also possible to arrange that the device performs part of the analysis and transmits the partly analyzed data to an external entity for finalizing the analysis.
  • the goal of the analysis is to define and detect if a damper element 1 04 as described is got broken or not.
  • the measurement data e.g. measured value
  • the predetermined threshold value is a limit value for vibration in order to detect that something is wrong in the system, or at least it needs to be checked if something is wrong.
  • the predetermined threshold value can be defined e.g. in advance and even specifically for each of the operating situations, such as on a device and/or source of vibration basis.
  • the threshold value can depend on the number or damper elements 1 04 used for fixing the device to the source of vibration.
  • the predetermined threshold value can be a previous measurement value of a sensor or any mathematical product of the previous measurement value(s), such as an average value, median value or any similar.
  • the predetermined threshold value can be some sort of model in order to detect the root for the deviation in the measurement even more accurately, A frequency spectrum is one example of such a model.
  • the measurement values from the sensor are compared to the threshold value, which in this embodiment is a fixed value for that purpose, stored e.g. in a memory element of the device.
  • the processing unit of the device is, according to this embodiment of the invention, configured to compare the values. If it is detected that measured vibration does not match with threshold value in a pre-agreed manner, e.g. exceeds it, an alarm signal is given.
  • the device is configured to add information on the device, e.g. device ID, to the alarm signal, which is transferred, either directly or indirectly, to an external supervising system. As a result, it can be checked if the reason for the alarm signal is a broken damper, which caused additional vibration to the device and which was measured by the sensor in the device.
  • an alarm signal can be given if the predetermined threshold value is a previous measurement value and deviation of it is detected.
  • the measured value or values during a predetermined period of time can be analyzed more thoroughly.
  • some background data relating to operational models of the system can be collected, analyzed and stored in order to enable sophisticated analysis. Firstly, it can be collected information on a normal situation i.e. both the damper element 104 and the source of vibration operate normally. This may comprise also different operational modes of the source of vibration, e.g. engine, when operating on a different power levels and thus causing different forms of vibration. Secondly, it can be collected information on some special situations of the operation.
  • Such situations are at least thai source of vibration misbehaves and the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation or a damper element 1 04 is broken and thus the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation or both the source of vibration and the damper element 1 04 misbehaves and again the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation.
  • four different types of background data are available: 1 ⁇ first background data of normal operation, 2) second background data of a situation when the source of vibration misbehaves, 3 ⁇ third background data of a situation when a damper element 1 04 has got broken, and 4) fourth background data of a situation when both the damper element 104 has bot broken and the source of vibration misbehaves.
  • each of the mentioned background data may be collected from several sources of Iniormation i.e. for example from several similar engines with similar damper elements so that each of the background data is trustworthy enough or derived in theoretical calculations if possible.
  • the content of each of the background data may comprise e.g. vibration information, such as frequency spectrum, for the mentioned situations from which information it is possible to analyze and find the situation existing.
  • the measured vibration data is compared with each of the background data models preferably starting with first background data, if no deviation is detected, the measurement Is continued. If a deviation is detected i.e. the measurement data does not match with first background data, the measurement data is compared to second, third and fourth type of background data until it is detected if a damper element 104 is broken or not.
  • damper element 104 In case it is analyzed and concluded that a damper element is broken necessary measures are started in order to prevent any damage to the control unit due to the excessed vibration caused by the broken damper element 104 from the source of vibration. Such measures can be e.g. giving an alarm signal to the system controlling and managing the devices and/or sources of vibrations, preparing a shutdown and shut downing of devices and/or sources of vibrations. As a consequence of the detection the broken damper element 104 can be replaced before any other damage to the control unit and to the system, in the worst case, is caused.
  • the acceleration sensors for example, are capable of detecting acceleration three dimensionaily.
  • the acceleration can increase especially to at least one specific direction.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • the device can be a control unit, for example.
  • the device comprises a substrate 102, such as a circuit board, onto which necessary electronics 1 03 is implemented similarly as described above.
  • the device according to the embodiment is coupled to a source of vibration by means of two damper elements, which are marked with numbers 104 and 1 04' in Fig. 2 for distinguishing purposes.
  • the device comprises two sensors marked with 105 and 105 ! for distinguishing purposes.
  • the sensors are configured to detect vibration and information from the sensors are transferred to the electronics 103 of the device.
  • each of the sensors 105, 105' are mounted to a vicinity of a corresponding damper element 1 04, 104'.
  • the first sensor 105 is capable of detecting vibration conducted mainly through a first damper element 104 to the device and correspondingly the second sensor 105 ! is capable of detecting vibration conducted mainly through the second damper element 104' to the device.
  • an own threshold value can be set, which is either the same for both of them or specific to each for each of the sensors, in a normal situation when i.e. damper elements 104, 104' are not broken and the source of vibration operates normally the measurement values of the sensors 105, 105' does not meet the thresholds.
  • the source of vibration malfunctions, e.g.
  • both of the sensors 1 05, 105' sense more or less the same change in vibration through the damper elements 104, 1 04'. While the change in vibration has happened in both of them more or less simultaneously . , it can be concluded that the reason is a malfunction or a change in the source of vibration. But, if either of the damper elements 104, 1 04' gets broken, it can be detected by recognizing that either one of the thresholds has been met, when it is checked if the threshold is met in both of the sensors or not.
  • the comparison if the thresholds are met in both of the sensors or only in one of them, is performed, according to an embodiment of the invention, in a processing unit of the device. According to another embodiment the comparison can be done In some external processing element. According to some embodiment of the invention it is possible to add an identifier indicating the sensor or the damper element, which is the source of alarm signal, if desired.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which two damper elements 104, 104' are utilized with corresponding sensors 1 05, 1 05'. In some implementations more than one or two damper elements 1 04, 104' may be used. In such situations there may be need to add additional sensors 1 05, 105' so that the changes in vibrations resulting from a broken damper element 104, 104' can be detected accurately enough.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a system according to the invention.
  • the source of vibration is referred with 101 .
  • Several devices 301 e.g. control units, are coupled to the source of vibration 101 .
  • the number of coupled devices 301 is four.
  • the devices 301 in this embodiment can be similar to the device described in the context of Fig. 1 comprising a substrate 102, necessary electronics 103 and at least one sensor 105. Furthermore, the device 301 may comprise a cover 106, as already illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • the devices 301 are mounted to the source of vibration 101 by means of one or more damper elements 104. In this exemplified embodiment each of the devices 301 are mounted with two damper elements 104, but the number can also be any other. Due to the fact that each of the devices 301 comprise an own sensor it is possible to monitor the vibration from multiple measurement points. Each of the devices 301 produces a measurement value representing the vibration experienced in the corresponding device 301 .
  • an own threshold value or a common threshold value can be set if applicable, if the threshold value is met in at least one device of the system an indication is outputted to a central computing unit, which according to the embodiment of the invention is common for all the devices in the system.
  • the centra! computing unit in the system is configured to check the number of indications received.
  • the centra! computing unit is configured to receive measurement values from multiple sensors and to compare them to corresponding threshold values predefined for each of the sensors. Further, the central computing unit is configured to detect if the threshold is met in at least some of the sensors and based on the detection to decide if the same has happened in multiple sensors.
  • the central computing unit may decide that the reason for the change in vibration originates from the behavior of the source of vibration. If the threshold for vibration is met only in one sensor, the centra! computing unit can make a decision that the reason for that is a broken damper element 104 in that specific device 301 , where the sensor is coupled to. Moreover, in some solutions according to the invention it is possible to take into account status information on the source of vibration (e.g. an engine) in the decision making. For example, if the status information indicates that the engine is loaded heavier, the decision making can take this into account by e.g. changing the thresholds of the sensors to a new level so that any misinterpretation in the measurement and comparison can at least partly be avoided.
  • status information on the source of vibration e.g. an engine
  • This kind of arrangement enables even better interpretation of the measurement results and may offer a way to simultaneously detect vibrations that originate either from the behavior of the source of vibration or from the misbehavior of the damper element 104. Further advantage is that it is possible to utilize the measurement results of the vibration as an additional information in other control processes of the system, which are primarily configured to monitor the operation of the source of vibration i.e. engine.
  • the central computing unit can be any external computing system for monitoring the devices 301 or alternatively it can be arranged so that functionalities of the central computing unit is implemented to at least one of the devices 301 receiving at least any indication signals and is configured to perform the operations, such as performing a full analysis to the measured values as well as taking care of any further steps in order to prevent any additional damage to the device and/or the system.
  • the transmission of information such as the measurement values and/or any indication signals between any central computing unit and the devices 301 can be implemented by utilizing a communication bus, such as CAN, or even 'wirelessly if desired. It is also possible that the sensors may comprise communication means implemented directly in the sensor.
  • the sensors can communicate, either wirelessly or by means of wired communication, with a central computing unit which is configured to take care of the analysis of the measurement results and the detection of a broken damper element 104.
  • a central computing unit which is configured to take care of the analysis of the measurement results and the detection of a broken damper element 104.
  • the sensor is an external element to the device, is that that the sensor or sensors are coupled to in such a manner that they are capable of detecting the vibration and the change of vibration efficiently.
  • the central computing unit in the system is configured to receive information on the device, which is outputting the indication of the broken darnper element.
  • the processing unit of the device detecting that the threshold is met in the measurement is configured to add its identifier to the outputted indication.
  • the central computing unit comprises means for reading and analyzing the indication in such manner that it is detected In which device the coupled damper element is got broken.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • vibration originating from a source of vibration is measured 401 in a device 301 (as illustrated e.g. in Fig. 3) coupled to the source of vibration by means of at least one damper element 104.
  • the device is equipped with at least one sensor capable of defecting and thus measuring vibration.
  • the measurement values are monitored so that at least they are compared to a threshold value. At some point, it can be detected 402 that one or more of the measurement values meet the threshold, e.g. exceeds it.
  • the detection can also be based on such a situation that multiple devices exchange measurement values, or deliver them to a central computing unit and it is detected that a measurement value from only one device and/or sensor meets the threshold. As the detection is analyzed it can be concluded that the reason for meeting the threshold is that a damper element is got broken. As a result an indication signal can be given.
  • the analysis may, according to another embodiment of the invention, comprises a step of comparing if the threshold is met by more than one devices and/or more than one sensors in a device and/or if more than one indication signals are received in a central computing unit.
  • Such actions may comprise controlling and managing the devices 301 and/or sources of vibrations, preparing a shutdown and shut downing of devices and/or sources of vibrations, initiating a re-measurement of the vibration, for example.
  • an identifier of the device outpufting the indication that a damper element is got broken is added to the indication signal.
  • the analysis may comprise a deeper analysis of the measurement value or the pattern of the measurement values. For example, this can be concluded from a frequency of the measurement values by utilizing a predefined frequency spectrum in order to define the reason for the change in the measurement.
  • the method according to the Invention may comprise a step of defining thresholds for each of the directions possible to measure the vibration, e.g. if 3-dimensiona! measurement is implemented. In such a case it is even possible to set a threshold to only that direction, which reveals the broken damper element or more specifically the effect of the broken damper element to the vibration experienced in the device, in the best way.
  • control unit' in context of a device 301 in the description shall be understood as a broad meaning. It can be any electronics coupled to the engines or similar, which causes vibration to coupled electronics.
  • the electronics coupled to engine may serve several functions relating to any ⁇ peratiqn of the engine, sueh as controlling or automation related o erations and monitoring related operations among others.;

Abstract

The Invention concerns a device, a system and a method for detecting misbehavior of a damper element (104) based on a change in vibration measured by means of at least one sensor (105). The device comprises a sensor (105) to measure the vibration experienced in the device. If the vibration meets a predefined threshold value, an indication of misbehavior of the damper element (104) is outputted. The system comprises multiple devices for measuring the vibration. If a threshold value is met In at least one of the devices, an indication is outputted to a central computing unit. The central computing unit is configured to detect the number of indications received and if only one indication is received, it can be concluded that a damper element (104) is broken and an alarm signal can be outputted. The method according to the invention describes the method steps of the solution.

Description

DETECTION OF MISBEHAVIOR OF A DAMPER ELEMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
The Invention concerns in general the technical field of detection of misbehavior of a damper element. Especially the invention concerns a device, a system and a method for detecting misbehavior of a damper element based on a change in vibration measured by means of at least one sensor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many industrial and manufacturing facilities comprise different types of engines i.e. motors. Typically the engines are so essential in the manufacturing process that if a motor gets damaged, the whole manufacturing process needs to be shut down for a lengthy time thus causing enormous costs for the manufacturer.
In order to prevent any long downtime of engines in a manufacturing process monitoring systems and methods for engines are developed. The aim of the monitoring systems is to detect any misbehavior of an engine or system so that one can intervene to the misbehavior early enough and thus prevent any damage to an engine and/or a system. The monitoring systems comprise sensors installed on or in the engines to measure different types of parameters, such as temperature, vibration, pressure, speed, power, current, load and so on. Additionally, one or more control units are either directly or indirectly coupled to the engine for managing the operation of the measurement. The control unit may also be configured to analyze the measurement results as well as to take care of the communication with the engine, sensors and/or any external elements or systems involved in the monitoring and controlling the manufacturing system.
Many times the control unit is fixed or defachably fixed to an engine. The reason for this Is to avoid any long distance wiring of the control unit to the engine. Furthermore, some of the sensors measuring different parameters of the engine may have been implemented in the control unit (e.g. on an electronic circuit board of the control unit) and thus it would be difficult to arrange the measurement if the control unit was not attached to the engine. The fixing of the control unit to an engine also makes the delivery of the engine system easier, since all elements relating to the engine can be delivered as a one entity thus also helping the installation of it.
The control unit can be detachabiy fixed to the engine in multiple ways. The fixing of the control unit to the engine can be achieved by using screws, rivets, adhesives or any similar commonly known fixing method.
As already mentioned vibration is a parameter, which is typically measured by the monitoring systems in order to follow-up the operation of the engine. As the control unit is detachabiy fixed to the engine the vibration affects also to the control units and to any components in it. Thus, there is a risk that at some point the control unit may get damaged due to the vibration. In order to prevent the damage and extend the lifetime of the control unit so called dampers are used in fixing of the control unit to the engine. Dampers are such elements that are configured to absorb at least part of the vibration energy into it and thus reduce the vibration experienced in the control unit. An example of a damper is a so called cylindrical vibration damper. The cylindrical vibration dampers are flexible fixing devices that insulate any element against vibration at least partly. One or more dampers are installed between an engine and a control unit so that compression stress originating from the vibration of the engine is directed against the rubber pad of the cylindrical vibration damper and the vibration can be damped in such a manner that the resonance frequency of the installed device can be transferred to lower frequencies. As a result, the control unit experiences a reduced vibration and more specifically, the frequency of the experienced vibration is on a lower level, which is much less damaging for the electronics than a vibration on high frequencies. There also exist other types of dampers than cylindrical vibration dampers, such as metal wire rope dampers. Furthermore, it is possible to mount flexibly one or more device by connecting them on a same rail protected with dampers.
As can be seen from the above description the monitoring of engines is already performed in a very sophisticated way. Additionally, the control units coupled to the engines are at least partly Isolated from the vibration sources by means of dampers. However, there is still one weak link in the monitoring system. Namely, there is no way to monitor and detect if a damper gets broken. This may be a result of aging of a damper, wearing of a damper or wrong installation of a damper, for example. The break of a damper causes an increase of vibration towards the control unit and the electronics of the control unit may get damaged as well. In the worst case, the consequence can be a malfunction of the engine causing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the invention is to present a device, a system and a method for improving a monitoring of an entity experiencing vibration in its environment. Another objective of the invention is that the device, the system and the method for monitoring enable a detection of misbehavior of a damper element if that is the case. According to a first aspect, a device for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element is provided, wherein the at least one damper element is coupled between the device and the source of vibration and configured to dampen the vibration towards the device from the source of vibration. Furthermore, the device comprises a processing unit and a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program. The device further comprises at least a first sensor configured to measure the vibration experienced in the device, wherein by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory, the processing unit is configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory set for vibration for at least the first sensor is met in the measurement, and the device further comprises outputting means, which is configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of the at least one damper element if the threshold value set for vibration for at least the first sensor is met in the measurement.
The device may further comprises a second sensor for measuring the vibration experienced in the device and a second threshold stored in the memory set for vibration for the second sensor.
In the device, at least a portion of the computer program, when executed by the processing unit, may be configured to cause the device to compare if both of the sensors have met the threshold. The outputting means of the device may be configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element if only one of the sensors has met the threshold.
The sensor in the device may be a three dimensional acceleration sensor.. A threshold for at least the first sensor may be set for each of the direction in three dimensional space and stored in the memory. The outputting means may be configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element if the threshold is met in a predetermined direction in the three dimensional space.
According to a second aspect, the objectives of the invention are solved by a system for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element, in which system the at least one damper element Is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration. The system further comprises at least two devices, each of the at least two devices is coupled to a source of vibration through at least one damper element each, wherein each of the at least two devices comprises at least a sensor for measuring vibration experienced in the device, a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program and a threshold value for the vibration, a processing unit, which by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory, is configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory for the vibration is met in the measurement and an outputting means for outputtlng an indication that the threshold value is met in the device. Furthermore the system comprises a central computing unit for receiving any indication from the outputting means of any of the devices in the system and detecting the number of received indications and in case of one indication, the central computing unit is configured to output of an alarm signal indicating a broken damper element.
An identifier of the device detecting that the threshold for the vibration is met in the measurement may be added to the indication by the processing unit in the system.
The central computing unit can be implemented in one of the devices in the system. Furthermore, the at least two devices and the central computing unit can be configured to communicate to each other via a communication bus in the system. According to third aspect, a method for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element is provide, wherein the at least one damper element is coupled between an device and a source of vibration and the at least one damper element is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration, in which method the vibration is measured in the device by means of a sensor, the measurement value is compared to a threshold value, and if it is detected that the threshold value is met by the measurement value an indication is outputted indicating a broken damper element. The method may further comprise a step of adding an identifier of the device outputting the indication of the broken damper element; to the indication.
A device according to the invention is characterized by the features recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a device.
A system according to the invention is characterized by the features recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a system.
A method according to the invention is characterized by the steps recited in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a method.
Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF E3RAWING8
Fig. 1 illustrates a side view Figure of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 illustrates a top view Figure of a device according to another embodiment of the invention, fig. 3 illustrates a top view Figure of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 4 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND ITS ADVANTAGEOUS EMBODIMENTS
Fig, 1 illustrates an example of a device according to the invention. The device is coupled to a source of vibration 101 , such as to an engine, either directly or indirectly i.e. over a wall. The device can be a control unit for at least partly monitoring and/or controlling of the operation of the source of vibration 101 , for example. The device comprises a substrate 1 02, such as a circuit board, onto which at least part of the electronics 1 03 performing at least some of the operations of the control unit is implemented. The substrate 102 is detachably fixed to the source of vibration by means of at least one damper element 104. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which it is used two damper elements 1 04 for fixing. The damper elements enable the fixing and detaching of the substrate 1 02 and any components mounted in or on the substrate 102. In this exemplified embodiment the damper elements 1 04 comprise rubber material for absorbing at least part of the vibration energy originating from the source of vibration 101 by transforming the shape of the rubber material. The damper elements 104 may also comprise means for fixing it to the source of vibration 01 and the substrate 102, such as nuts on corresponding sides of the damper elements 104 to be matched with holes in the substrate 102 and/or source of vibration 1 01 .
In order to measure the vibration of the device caused by the source of vibration 101 through at least one damper element 1 04 a sensor 105 is coupled to the substrate 102. The sensor 105 is selected so that it is capable of measuring a parameter indicating either directly or indirectly the vibration. Such a sensor 105 is for example an acceleration sensor, preferably 3- dimensional, but any other applicable sensor or transducer, such as an axis sensor, can be used. Moreover, it is possible to directly measure acceleration as an analogue value for the purposes of the invention, but also any other parameter from which it is possible to derive a value for vibration. According to / an embodiment of the invention information on the measurement value of the sensor 105 is transferred to the electronics 103 of the device. The electronics 103 may comprise processing unit comprising one or more processors for performing any necessary operation to at least one measurement value, when executing a computer program comprising instructions relating to the measurement. The computer program may be stored into a memory element comprising one or more memory units implemented in the electronics 103. Further, the measurement values from the sensor 105 can be at least temporarily stored to the memory element for any further need. According to some embodiment of the invention the electronics 103 comprise a processing unit, memory element and necessary computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed at least partly by the processing unit in order to analyze any measurement value from the sensor. Alternatively or in addition, the electronics may further comprise either wired or wireless communication means, such as modem, for communicating with any external entity. Such external entity can be, according to an embodiment of the invention, a central computing unit for monitoring one or more control units of the sources of vibration, such as engines. In such an embodiment the electronics Is configured, for example, to transfer the raw data from the sensor 1 05 and/or at least partly analyzed data to the central computing unit for any further processing. Such processing comprises e.g. judging if the data indicates that the vibration from the source of vibration has broken any damper element 104 used for fixing the device to the source of vibration 101 . The electronics comprise also outputting means for giving an indication of misbehavior of the device, the sensor and/or a damper element if such is detected. The outputting means may comprise at least part of the communication means in order to deliver the indication signal, for example created by the processing unit, to any external party.
Typically, the device may also comprise a cover 106 in order to protect the device from any external disorder, such as from a dust or any mechanical shock. The cover 106 is not essential as such from the invention point of view even though it is possible to fix at least some elements, such as the sensor, to the cover 106 if desired.
The analysis of measurement data from the sensor 1 05 can be done either in the device or in any external entity. It is also possible to arrange that the device performs part of the analysis and transmits the partly analyzed data to an external entity for finalizing the analysis. The goal of the analysis is to define and detect if a damper element 1 04 as described is got broken or not. According to an embodiment of the invention the measurement data, e.g. measured value, is compared to a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value is a limit value for vibration in order to detect that something is wrong in the system, or at least it needs to be checked if something is wrong. The predetermined threshold value can be defined e.g. in advance and even specifically for each of the operating situations, such as on a device and/or source of vibration basis. For example, the threshold value can depend on the number or damper elements 1 04 used for fixing the device to the source of vibration. Alternatively or in addition, the predetermined threshold value can be a previous measurement value of a sensor or any mathematical product of the previous measurement value(s), such as an average value, median value or any similar. Furthermore the predetermined threshold value can be some sort of model in order to detect the root for the deviation in the measurement even more accurately, A frequency spectrum is one example of such a model.
Now, the measurement values from the sensor are compared to the threshold value, which in this embodiment is a fixed value for that purpose, stored e.g. in a memory element of the device. The processing unit of the device is, according to this embodiment of the invention, configured to compare the values. If it is detected that measured vibration does not match with threshold value in a pre-agreed manner, e.g. exceeds it, an alarm signal is given. According to this embodiment the device is configured to add information on the device, e.g. device ID, to the alarm signal, which is transferred, either directly or indirectly, to an external supervising system. As a result, it can be checked if the reason for the alarm signal is a broken damper, which caused additional vibration to the device and which was measured by the sensor in the device.
Similarly, as already mentioned, an alarm signal can be given if the predetermined threshold value is a previous measurement value and deviation of it is detected. Furthermore, in more sophisticated embodiments of the invention the measured value or values during a predetermined period of time can be analyzed more thoroughly. For example, some background data relating to operational models of the system can be collected, analyzed and stored in order to enable sophisticated analysis. Firstly, it can be collected information on a normal situation i.e. both the damper element 104 and the source of vibration operate normally. This may comprise also different operational modes of the source of vibration, e.g. engine, when operating on a different power levels and thus causing different forms of vibration. Secondly, it can be collected information on some special situations of the operation. Such situations are at least thai source of vibration misbehaves and the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation or a damper element 1 04 is broken and thus the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation or both the source of vibration and the damper element 1 04 misbehaves and again the vibration experienced in a sensor of the device deviates from the normal situation. Now, four different types of background data are available: 1 } first background data of normal operation, 2) second background data of a situation when the source of vibration misbehaves, 3} third background data of a situation when a damper element 1 04 has got broken, and 4) fourth background data of a situation when both the damper element 104 has bot broken and the source of vibration misbehaves. Each of the mentioned background data may be collected from several sources of Iniormation i.e. for example from several similar engines with similar damper elements so that each of the background data is trustworthy enough or derived in theoretical calculations if possible. The content of each of the background data may comprise e.g. vibration information, such as frequency spectrum, for the mentioned situations from which information it is possible to analyze and find the situation existing. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention the measured vibration data is compared with each of the background data models preferably starting with first background data, if no deviation is detected, the measurement Is continued. If a deviation is detected i.e. the measurement data does not match with first background data, the measurement data is compared to second, third and fourth type of background data until it is detected if a damper element 104 is broken or not.
In case it is analyzed and concluded that a damper element is broken necessary measures are started in order to prevent any damage to the control unit due to the excessed vibration caused by the broken damper element 104 from the source of vibration. Such measures can be e.g. giving an alarm signal to the system controlling and managing the devices and/or sources of vibrations, preparing a shutdown and shut downing of devices and/or sources of vibrations. As a consequence of the detection the broken damper element 104 can be replaced before any other damage to the control unit and to the system, in the worst case, is caused.
In addition to the description above it is possible to defect the vibration and/or change in vibration three dimensionaily due to the fact thai the acceleration sensors, for example, are capable of detecting acceleration three dimensionaily. According to an embodiment of the Invention it can be determined that In case of broken damper element the acceleration can increase especially to at least one specific direction. Thus, it is possible to set different threshold levels for vibration level for every direction. If the threshold level or levels is/are exceeded e.g. to the direction(s) which represent(s) in the best way the operation of a damper element, it can be concluded that the damper element is broken and necessary actions can be signaled and started as described.
Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device can be a control unit, for example. The device comprises a substrate 102, such as a circuit board, onto which necessary electronics 1 03 is implemented similarly as described above. The device according to the embodiment is coupled to a source of vibration by means of two damper elements, which are marked with numbers 104 and 1 04' in Fig. 2 for distinguishing purposes. According to this embodiment the device comprises two sensors marked with 105 and 105! for distinguishing purposes. The sensors are configured to detect vibration and information from the sensors are transferred to the electronics 103 of the device. As can be seen from the Fig. 2 each of the sensors 105, 105' are mounted to a vicinity of a corresponding damper element 1 04, 104'. The idea is that the first sensor 105 is capable of detecting vibration conducted mainly through a first damper element 104 to the device and correspondingly the second sensor 105! is capable of detecting vibration conducted mainly through the second damper element 104' to the device. For each of the sensors an own threshold value can be set, which is either the same for both of them or specific to each for each of the sensors, in a normal situation when i.e. damper elements 104, 104' are not broken and the source of vibration operates normally the measurement values of the sensors 105, 105' does not meet the thresholds. In case that the source of vibration malfunctions, e.g. the vibration grows rapidly, both of the sensors 1 05, 105' sense more or less the same change in vibration through the damper elements 104, 1 04'. While the change in vibration has happened in both of them more or less simultaneously., it can be concluded that the reason is a malfunction or a change in the source of vibration. But, if either of the damper elements 104, 1 04' gets broken, it can be detected by recognizing that either one of the thresholds has been met, when it is checked if the threshold is met in both of the sensors or not. The comparison, if the thresholds are met in both of the sensors or only in one of them, is performed, according to an embodiment of the invention, in a processing unit of the device. According to another embodiment the comparison can be done In some external processing element. According to some embodiment of the invention it is possible to add an identifier indicating the sensor or the damper element, which is the source of alarm signal, if desired.
As described Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which two damper elements 104, 104' are utilized with corresponding sensors 1 05, 1 05'. In some implementations more than one or two damper elements 1 04, 104' may be used. In such situations there may be need to add additional sensors 1 05, 105' so that the changes in vibrations resulting from a broken damper element 104, 104' can be detected accurately enough. Fig. 3 illustrates a system according to the invention. Here the source of vibration is referred with 101 . Several devices 301 , e.g. control units, are coupled to the source of vibration 101 . In this exemplified embodiment the number of coupled devices 301 is four. The devices 301 in this embodiment can be similar to the device described in the context of Fig. 1 comprising a substrate 102, necessary electronics 103 and at least one sensor 105. Furthermore, the device 301 may comprise a cover 106, as already illustrated in Fig. 1 . The devices 301 are mounted to the source of vibration 101 by means of one or more damper elements 104. In this exemplified embodiment each of the devices 301 are mounted with two damper elements 104, but the number can also be any other. Due to the fact that each of the devices 301 comprise an own sensor it is possible to monitor the vibration from multiple measurement points. Each of the devices 301 produces a measurement value representing the vibration experienced in the corresponding device 301 . For each of devices 301 it can be defined an own threshold value or a common threshold value can be set if applicable, if the threshold value is met in at least one device of the system an indication is outputted to a central computing unit, which according to the embodiment of the invention is common for all the devices in the system. The centra! computing unit in the system is configured to check the number of indications received. If the indication signal is outputted by only one device 301 , it can be concluded by the central computing unit that the origin for the indication signal is a malfunction in that specific device 301 and thus at least one of the damper elements 1 04 is broken and an alarm can be outputted to prevent any further damage in the system, if the indication signal is received from multiple devices 301 , it can be concluded that the reason is something else than a broken damper element 1 04. According to some embodiment of the invention the centra! computing unit is configured to receive measurement values from multiple sensors and to compare them to corresponding threshold values predefined for each of the sensors. Further, the central computing unit is configured to detect if the threshold is met in at least some of the sensors and based on the detection to decide if the same has happened in multiple sensors. If that is the case, the central computing unit may decide that the reason for the change in vibration originates from the behavior of the source of vibration. If the threshold for vibration is met only in one sensor, the centra! computing unit can make a decision that the reason for that is a broken damper element 104 in that specific device 301 , where the sensor is coupled to. Moreover, in some solutions according to the invention it is possible to take into account status information on the source of vibration (e.g. an engine) in the decision making. For example, if the status information indicates that the engine is loaded heavier, the decision making can take this into account by e.g. changing the thresholds of the sensors to a new level so that any misinterpretation in the measurement and comparison can at least partly be avoided. This kind of arrangement enables even better interpretation of the measurement results and may offer a way to simultaneously detect vibrations that originate either from the behavior of the source of vibration or from the misbehavior of the damper element 104. Further advantage is that it is possible to utilize the measurement results of the vibration as an additional information in other control processes of the system, which are primarily configured to monitor the operation of the source of vibration i.e. engine.
The central computing unit can be any external computing system for monitoring the devices 301 or alternatively it can be arranged so that functionalities of the central computing unit is implemented to at least one of the devices 301 receiving at least any indication signals and is configured to perform the operations, such as performing a full analysis to the measured values as well as taking care of any further steps in order to prevent any additional damage to the device and/or the system. The transmission of information such as the measurement values and/or any indication signals between any central computing unit and the devices 301 can be implemented by utilizing a communication bus, such as CAN, or even 'wirelessly if desired. It is also possible that the sensors may comprise communication means implemented directly in the sensor. Thus, the sensors can communicate, either wirelessly or by means of wired communication, with a central computing unit which is configured to take care of the analysis of the measurement results and the detection of a broken damper element 104. In this kind of embodiment there is no need to arrange any communication between the sensor and the corresponding device 301 since the measurement information is directly delivered to a central computing unit. Important aspect in this sort of arrangements, in which the sensor is an external element to the device, is that that the sensor or sensors are coupled to in such a manner that they are capable of detecting the vibration and the change of vibration efficiently.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention the central computing unit in the system is configured to receive information on the device, which is outputting the indication of the broken darnper element. This is achieved by an arrangement in which the processing unit of the device detecting that the threshold is met in the measurement is configured to add its identifier to the outputted indication. The central computing unit comprises means for reading and analyzing the indication in such manner that it is detected In which device the coupled damper element is got broken.
Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the invention. According to the method vibration originating from a source of vibration is measured 401 in a device 301 (as illustrated e.g. in Fig. 3) coupled to the source of vibration by means of at least one damper element 104. The device is equipped with at least one sensor capable of defecting and thus measuring vibration. The measurement values are monitored so that at least they are compared to a threshold value. At some point, it can be detected 402 that one or more of the measurement values meet the threshold, e.g. exceeds it. Moreover, the detection can also be based on such a situation that multiple devices exchange measurement values, or deliver them to a central computing unit and it is detected that a measurement value from only one device and/or sensor meets the threshold. As the detection is analyzed it can be concluded that the reason for meeting the threshold is that a damper element is got broken. As a result an indication signal can be given, The analysis may, according to another embodiment of the invention, comprises a step of comparing if the threshold is met by more than one devices and/or more than one sensors in a device and/or if more than one indication signals are received in a central computing unit. If it is analyzed that the threshold is met by only one of the devices in the system and/or in only one sensor of a device, it can be concluded that a damper element is broken and an indication of this can be outputted 403. In response to the indication preventive actions can be started, Such actions may comprise controlling and managing the devices 301 and/or sources of vibrations, preparing a shutdown and shut downing of devices and/or sources of vibrations, initiating a re-measurement of the vibration, for example.
According to an embodiment of the method an identifier of the device outpufting the indication that a damper element is got broken is added to the indication signal. This is advantageous in such an embodiment in which multiple devices are coupled to a source of vibration. Moreover, in more sophisticated embodiments the analysis may comprise a deeper analysis of the measurement value or the pattern of the measurement values. For example, this can be concluded from a frequency of the measurement values by utilizing a predefined frequency spectrum in order to define the reason for the change in the measurement. Additionally, the method according to the Invention may comprise a step of defining thresholds for each of the directions possible to measure the vibration, e.g. if 3-dimensiona! measurement is implemented. In such a case it is even possible to set a threshold to only that direction, which reveals the broken damper element or more specifically the effect of the broken damper element to the vibration experienced in the device, in the best way.
The term 'control unit' in context of a device 301 in the description shall be understood as a broad meaning. It can be any electronics coupled to the engines or similar, which causes vibration to coupled electronics. The electronics coupled to engine may serve several functions relating to any ©peratiqn of the engine, sueh as controlling or automation related o erations and monitoring related operations among others.;
Serne advantageous enlodimesTts accordfna: to th invention were describee! abov . The in nto is not limie : e the .em o iments eJesoribed- The inventive idea can tee applied in umerous ways withi t¾e seopt defined fey the claims attached hereto..

Claims

1 , A device for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element (104), the at least one damper element (104) being coupled between the device and the source of vibration and configured to dampen the vibration towards the device from the source of vibration, the device comprising a processing unit and a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program, characterized in that the device further comprises
- at least a first sensor (105) configured to measure the vibration experienced in the device, wherein by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory the processing unit is configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory set for vibration for at least the first sensor (1 05) is met in the measurement, and
- outputting means configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of the at least one damper element (1 04) if the threshold value set for vibration for at least the first sensor (105) is met in the measurement.
A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device further comprises a second sensor (105) for measuring the vibration experienced in the device and a second threshold stored in the memory set for vibration for the second sensor (105).
A device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the computer program, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the device to compare if both of the sensors (105) have met the threshold.
A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the outputting means is configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element (104) If only one of the sensors (105) has met the threshold. 5, A device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the sensor (105) is a three dimensional acceleration sensor.
... A device according to ciaim 5, characterized in that a threshold for at least the first sensor (1 05) is set for each of the direction in three dimensional space and stored in the memory, , A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the oufputfing means are configured to output an indication of the misbehavior of at least one of the damper element ( 1 04) if the threshold is met in a predetermined direction in the three dimensional space. , A system for defecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element (1 04), the at least one damper element is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration in the system, characterized in that the system comprises
- at least two devices, each of the at least two devices coupled to a source of vibration through at least one damper element (1 04) each, wherein each of the at least two devices comprises at least
o a sensor (1 05) for measuring vibration experienced in the device,
o a memory for storing at least portions of a computer program and a threshold value for the vibration,
o a processing unit, by executing at least portions of the computer program stored in the memory, configured to detect if a threshold value stored in the memory for the vibration is met in the measurement,
o an outputting means for outputting an indication that the threshold value is met in the device,
- a central computing unit for receiving any indication from the outputting means of any of the devices in the system and detecting the number of received indications and in case of one indication, the central computing unit is configured to output of an alarm signal indicating a broken damper element (1 04). , A system according to claim 8, characterized in that an identifier of the device detecting that the threshold for the vibration is met in the measurement is configured to be added to the indication by the processing unit. A system according to claim 8, characterized in that the central computing unit is implemented in one of the devices in the system.
A system according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least two devices and the centra! computing unit are configured to communicate to each other via a communication bus.
A method for detecting a misbehavior of at least one damper element (104), the at least one damper element (104) being coupled between an device and a source of vibration and the at least one damper element (1 04) is configured to dampen the vibration towards a device from the source of vibration, characterized in that in the method
- the vibration is measured in the device by means of a sensor (1 05),
- the measurement value is compared to a threshold value, and if it is detected that the threshold value is met by the measurement value an indication is outputted indicating a broken damper element (1 04).
A method according to claim 12, characterized in that an identifier of the
Figure imgf000019_0001
device outputting the indication of the broken damper element (104) is added to the indication.
PCT/FI2013/050134 2012-02-07 2013-02-07 Detection of misbehavior of a damper element WO2013117816A1 (en)

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