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US3783680A
Expired / Lapsed
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Multipoint vibration monitoring system
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1972-07-12
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A multipoint vibration monitor has been provided for monitoring vibration emanating from rotating equipment. A plurality of seismic-type detectors are placed at various vulnerable points on the equipment. These detectors are electromechanical generators whose output signals are proportional to both frequency and magnitude of vibration in a single plane, thereby reducing errors introduced by extraneous vibrations of a transient nature which would give false indications. A unique multichannel electronic circuit is provided into which the detector signals are fed to remotely monitor the plurality of detectors and provide both an alarm and point location of abnormal vibrations.
Inventors
- 👤 C Mason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/0891; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/003; G01P15/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A multipoint vibration monitoring system for monitoring vibrations in a plurality of rotating machines, comprising: a plurality of vibration sensors connected at predetermined monitoring points to said rotating machines, each of said sensors including a magnetic core, a movably mounted winding disposed about said core and constrained to move in a single plane so that movement of said winding relative to said core due to vibration causes an A.C. signal to be generated therein proportional to the speed of the corresponding one of said plurality of machines to which said sensor is connected and magnitude of vibration in said single plane and output circuit means connected to said winding; a plurality of signal level detector channels connected to said output circuit means corresponding ones of said plurality of sensors, each of said detector channels including: a. a low vibration level detector means responsive to a selected signal level below a normal output level of the corresponding sensor for generating a low vibration level alarm signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor falls below said selected signal level, b. a high vibration level detector means responsive to another selected signal level above said normal output level of said corresponding sensor for generating a high vibration alarm signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor exceeds said another selected signal level, and c. a trip vibration level detector means responsive to a selected maximum signal level output above said another selected signal level of said corresponding sensor for generating a trip signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor exceeds said selected maximum signal level; an alarm indicator means including a plurality of location indicators connected to the outputs of each of said signal level detector channels for indicating a particular one of said sensors detecting an alarm condition and indicating the activated one of said level detector means; switching means connected to the outputs of each of said maximum vibration level detectors of said signal level detection channels for disconnecting the power to a corresponding one of said machines in response to said trip signal from the corresponding one of said signal level detector channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A multipoint vibration monitoring system for monitoring vibrations in a plurality of rotating machines, comprising: a plurality of vibration sensors connected at predetermined monitoring points to said rotating machines, each of said sensors including a magnetic core, a movably mounted winding disposed about said core and constrained to move in a single plane so that movement of said winding relative to said core due to vibration causes an A.C. signal to be generated therein proportional to the speed of the corresponding one of said plurality of machines to which said sensor is connected and magnitude of vibration in said single plane and output circuit means connected to said winding; a plurality of signal level detector channels connected to said output circuit means corresponding ones of said plurality of sensors, each of said detector channels including: a. a low vibration level detector means responsive to a selected signal level below a normal output level of the corresponding sensor for generating a low vibration level alarm signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor falls below said selected signal level, b. a high vibration level detector means responsive to another selected signal level above said normal output level of said corresponding sensor for generating a high vibration alarm signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor exceeds said another selected signal level, and c. a trip vibration level detector means responsive to a selected maximum signal level output above said another selected signal level of said corresponding sensor for generating a trip signal at an output thereof when the output of said corresponding sensor exceeds said selected maximum signal level; an alarm indicator means including a plurality of location indicators connected to the outputs of each of said signal level detector channels for indicating a particular one of said sensors detecting an alarm condition and indicating the activated one of said level detector means; switching means connected to the outputs of each of said maximum vibration level detectors of said signal level detection channels for disconnecting the power to a corresponding one of said machines in response to said trip signal from the corresponding one of said signal level detector channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said output circuit means of each of said plurality of vibration sensors includes a calibrating resistor connected in parallel with said winding and having a value which provides a signal at the sensor output which is linearly related to the amplitude of the vibration detected by said sensor. 3.The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 2 further including means for providing an indicaTion of the amplitude of vibration of a selected one of said sensors and means for selectively connecting any one of the outputs of said sensors to said amplitude indicating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
185 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 3 further including a plurality of signal conditioners connected in series with the outputs of corresponding ones of said plurality of sensors, each of said signal conditioners including an operational amplifier having an inverting and non-inverting input and an output, said non-inverting input connected to a corresponding one of said sensors, a diode having its anode lead connected to the output of said operational amplifier so as to pass a positive voltage signal at said operational amplifier output, a potentiometer connected between the cathode of said diode and ground potential having the adjustable arm thereof connected to said inverting input of said operational amplifier, a resistor connected at one end to the cathode of said diode, a capacitor connected between the other end of said resistor and ground potential, and an output terminal connected to the ungrounded side of said capacitor, whereby a D.C. signal is provided at said output terminal which is proportional to the average positive peak of said A.C. signal at the output of said corresponding one of said plurality of sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
346 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said high vibration level detector means and said trip vibration level detector means of each of said plurality of signal level detector channels includes a comparator circuit having first and second inputs and an output, said comparator circuit producing a positive signal at the output thereof when the signal level at said first input is more positive than the signal level at said second input and producing a negative signal at the output thereof when said first input is less positive than the signal level at said second input, said first inputs of said comparator circuits connected to said output terminal of the corresponding one of said signal conditioners, wherein each of said signal level detector channels includes a reference voltage generating means for providing first and second selectable reference voltages equal to said another selected and said selected maximum signal levels, respectively, at first and second outputs, respectively, said first output of said reference voltage generating means connected to said second input of said comparator circuit of said high vibration level detector means, and said second output of said reference voltage generating means connected to said second input of said comparator circuit of said trip vibration level detector means, and wherein each of said low vibration level detector means of each of said plurality of signal level detector channels includes a further comparator circuit having first and second inputs and an output, said further comparator generating either a positive or negative signal at the output thereof depending upon whether the signal level at said first input of said further comparator is more positive or less positive, respectively, than the signal level at said second input of said further comparator, said second input of said further comparator circuit connected to said output terminal of said corresponding one of said signal conditioners, and a further reference voltage source connected to said first input of said further comparator circuit for providing a reference voltage at an output thereof equal to said selected signal level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of location indicators of said alarm indicator means includes a first plurality of visual location indicators connected individually to selected equal numbered groupings of said plurality of signal level detector channels and a second plurality of visual location indicators each connected to individual ones of said plurality of signal level detector channels of each of saiD groupings of detector channels so that an alarm condition produced by any one of said plurality of sensors is located by activation of the corresponding one of said first plurality of visual location indicators and the corresponding one of said second plurality of visual location indicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said indicator means for indicating the activated one of said level detector means includes a low vibration level visual indicator and a first circuit means for detecting a positive signal at the output of any one of said low vibration level detector means and switching said low vibration level visual indicator on in response thereto, a high vibration level visual indicator and a second circuit means for detecting a positive signal at the output of any one of said high vibrational level detector means and switching said high vibration level visual indicator on in response thereto, and a trip vibration level visual indicator and a third circuit means for detecting a positive signal at the output of any one of said trip vibration level detector means and switching said trip vibration level visual indicator on in response thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 7 further including a power supply for providing a D.C. supply voltage at outputs thereof to the circuit components of said vibration monitoring system, a voltage monitoring means connected to the outputs of said power supply for providing an alarm indication when said D.C. output voltages of said power supply drop below a preselected level and disabling said switching means when said power supply voltage drops below said preselected level so as to prevent a false trip of said machines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 8 further including an audible alarm and circuit means responsive to a positive output signal from any one of said comparator circuits of any one of said signal level detector channels for turning said alarm on.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The multipoint vibration monitoring system as set forth in claim 9 where each of said reference voltage generating means further includes means for automatically changing the reference voltages at said first and second outputs of said reference votage generating means in response to a change in speed of a corresponding one of said rotating machines so as to prevent a false vibration alarm indication.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3394581A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |