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US4887468A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Nonsynchronous turbine blade vibration monitoring system

Assignee: Siemens Energy Inc
•
Filing: 1988-06-03
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Granted: 1989-12-19
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Expires: 2008-06-03
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Abstract

Abstract A nonsynchronous turbine blade vibration monitoring system is comprised of a maximum of two sensors circumferentially mounted along the turbine blade row for detecting the actual arrival times of the turbine blades at the sensors. Expected arrival times of the turbine blades at the sensors are determined and then compared to the actual arrival times in order to obtain turbine blade deflection data. Harmonic analysis is then performed on the blade deflection data to determine the level of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.

Inventors

  • 👤 Francis S. McKendree
  • 👤 Paul F. Rozelle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H11/00; G01H1/00; G01H1/003; G01H1/006

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
An apparatus for detecting the vibration of unshrouded turbine blades configured in a row, comprising: a maximum of two sensor means circumferentially mounted along the turbine blade row; means responsive to said sensor means for producing data based on the actual arrival times of the blades at said sensor means; means for producing data based on the expected arrival times of the blades at said sensor means; means for comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and analysis means for extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 110 words
An apparatus for detecting the vibration of unshrouded turbine blades configured in a row, comprising: a maximum of two sensor means circumferentially mounted along the turbine blade row; means responsive to said sensor means for producing data based on the actual arrival times of the blades at said sensor means; means for producing data based on the expected arrival times of the blades at said sensor means; means for comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and analysis means for extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising means for providing reference blade deflection data and for comparing said turbine blade deflection data to said reference data to produce deviation data, and wherein said analysis means is responsive to said deviation data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means includes two sensors each producing input signals in response to a blade passing event, and wherein said means for producing actual arrival time data includes a clock means and a plurality of latches responsive to said input signals to latch the counter value of said clock means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 66 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the turbine blades are carried by a shaft, the apparatus additionally comprising reference sensor means responsive to the position of the shaft, said reference sensor means for producing a signal input to one of said plurality of latches to latch the current time in said clock means, said means for producing expected arrival time data being responsive to said latch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analysis means includes means for performing a Fourier analysis on said turbine blade deflection data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 116 words
A steam turbine having a system for detecting vibration, comprising: a rotor; a plurality of unshrouded turbine blades arranged in rows carried by said rotor; sensor means circumferentially mounted along the turbine blade rows; means, responsive to said sensor means, for producing data based on the actual arrival times of said blades at said sensor means; means for producing data based on the expected arrival times of said blades at said sensor means; means for comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and analysis means for extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 116 words
A steam turbine having a system for detecting vibration, comprising: a rotor; a plurality of unshrouded turbine blades arranged in rows carried by said rotor; sensor means circumferentially mounted along the turbine blade rows; means, responsive to said sensor means, for producing data based on the actual arrival times of said blades at said sensor means; means for producing data based on the expected arrival times of said blades at said sensor means; means for comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and analysis means for extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 56 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for producing expected arrival times includes means for measuring the time of rotation of the blade row, means for dividing said time by the number of said sensor means in the row, and means for indexing the result according to the position of the blade within the row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for producing expected arrival times includes means for providing a plurality of timing marks on said rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for producing expected arrival times includes means for averaging said actual arrival times and wherein said average arrival times are used as the expected arrival times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said sensor means includes first and second magnetic sensors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 6 additionally comprising means for reducing the effects of noise on said blade defection data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 74 words
A method of detecting the vibration of unshrouded turbine blades, comprising the steps of: generating input signals corresponding to blade passing events; producing actual arrival time data from said input signals; producing expected arrival time data; comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 74 words
A method of detecting the vibration of unshrouded turbine blades, comprising the steps of: generating input signals corresponding to blade passing events; producing actual arrival time data from said input signals; producing expected arrival time data; comparing said actual arrival time data to said expected arrival time data to obtain turbine blade deflection data; and extracting from said turbine blade deflection data torsional vibration data and the extent of vibration at each non-integral harmonic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 12 additionally comprising the step of reducing the effects of noise on said turbine blade deflection data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 56 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of producing expected arrival time data includes the steps of measuring the rotational time of the turbine blade, dividing the time by the number of sources of blade passing event input signals per row, and indexing the result according to the position of the blade within the row.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of producing expected arrival time data includes the step of sensing a plurality of timing marks on a rotor carrying the turbine blades.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of producing expected arrival time data includes the step of averaging said actual arrival data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of extracting the vibration at each non-integral harmonic includes the step of performing a Fourier analysis on said turbine blade deflection data.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-12-18 1993-06-19 1993-12-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-12-18 1997-06-19 1997-12-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-12-18 2001-06-19 2001-12-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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