BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to
displaying data plots, and more specifically, to systems and methods for displaying a
zoomed-in area of a plurality of data plots.
At least some known machines, such as gas turbines, include
rotor assemblies. The rotor assemblies may exhibit vibrations or other behavior
during operation. Sensors may be used to monitor such behavior to determine the
operational status of one or more components. For example, sensors may measure an
amount of vibration induced in a motor drive shaft, a rotational position or
displacement of the motor drive shaft, and/or other operational characteristics of a
machine or motor.
To monitor a health and/or operational state of gas turbines,
data fiom such sensors may be recorded and analyzed by an operator. However, in at
least some known data display systems, data from different sensors cannot be easily
compared to determine the health and/or operational state of the gas turbine.
Specifically, in at least some known data display systems, different plots of data are
commonly displayed at different scales. Further, in at least some known data display
systems, zooming in on a selected data plot only magnifies that particular plot, and
accordingly, the magnified data cannot be easily compared with data in other,
unmagnified data plots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, a system for displaying a plurality of plots is
provided. The system includes a presentation interface configured to display the
plurality of plots, a user input interface configured to create a zoom window on a
selected plot of the plurality of plots, and a processing device configured to determine
automatically, based on the created zoom window, a corresponding zoom window for
each remaining plot of the plurality of plots, and display simultaneously, on the
presentation interface, a zoomed-in area of the selected plot based on the created
zoom window and a zoomed-in area of each of the remaining plots based on the
corresponding zoom window for each of the remaining plots.
In another aspect, a processing device is provided. The
processing device is configured to display a plurality of plots on a presentation
interface, determine, based on user input, a created zoom window on a selected plot of
the plurality of plots, determine automatically, based on the created zoom window, a
corresponding zoom window for each remaining plot of the plurality of plots, and
display simultaneously, on the presentation interface, a zoomed-in area of the selected
plot based on the created zoom window and a zoomed-in area of each of the
remaining plots based on the corresponding zoom window for each of the remaining
plots.
In yet another aspect, a method for displaying a plurality of
plots is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of plots on a
presentation interface, determining, using a processing device, a created zoom
window on a selected plot of the plurality of plots, determining automatically, using
the processing device, based on the created zoom window, a corresponding zoom
window for each remaining plot of the plurality of plots, and displaying
simultaneously, on the presentation interface, a zoomed-in area of the selected plot
based on the created zoom window and a zoomed-in area of each of the remaining
plots based on the corresponding zoom window for each of the remaining plots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary
turbine engine.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary
compressor assembly that may be used with the turbine engine shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device
that may be used to analyze and present blade pass data from the compressor
assembly shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a screenshot of exemplary blade pass data that may
be displayed on the presentation interface of the computing device shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an image of an exemplary magnification bar that
may be used to create the zoom window shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a screenshot of exemplary zoomed-in blade pass
data that may be displayed on the presentation interface of the computing device
shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method that may be
implemented to display a plurality of plots simultaneously.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MENTION
The systems and methods described herein enable a plurality
of plots to be accurately and effectively displayed on a presentation interface. By
creating a zoom window on a selected plot of the plurality of plots, a corresponding
zoom window is automatically generated for each of the remaining plots. Using the
created zoom window and the corresponding zoom windows, a zoomed-in area of the
selected plot is displayed, as well as zoomed-in areas for each of the remaining plots.
Simultaneously displaying a zoomed-in area for each of the plurality of plots on the
presentation interface enables a user to quickly and easily compare data between the
different plots.
Technical effects of the methods and systems described
herein include at least one of: (a) displaying a plurality of plots; (b) determining a
created zoom window on a selected plot of the plurality of plots; (c) determining
automatically, based on the created zoom window, a corresponding zoom window for
each remaining plot of the plurality of plots; and (d) displaying simultaneously a
zoomed-in area of the selected plot based on the created zoom window and a zoomedin
area of each of the remaining plots based on the corresponding zoom window for
each of the remaining plots.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary
turbine engine 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary
compressor assembly 114 that may be used with turbine engine 100. In the
exemplary embodiment, turbine engine 100 is a gas turbine engine. While the
exemplary embodiment is directed towards a gas turbine engine, the systems and
methods described herein are not limited to any one particular engine, and one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods described herein
may be used in connection with other turbine engines andlor in applications unrelated
to turbine engines.
In the exemplary embodiment, turbine engine 100 includes an
intake section 112, compressor assembly 1 14 downstream from intake section 112, a
combustor assembly 116 downstream from compressor assembly 114, a turbine
assembly 118 downstream from combustor assembly 1 16, and an exhaust section 120.
In the exemplary embodiment, turbine assembly 118 is coupled to compressor
assembly 114 via a rotor shaft 122. In the exemplary embodiment, combustor
assembly 1 16 includes a plurality of combustors 124. Combustor assembly 1 16 is
coupled to compressor assembly 114 such that each combustor 124 is in flow
communication with compressor assembly 114. A fuel injection assembly 126 is
coupled within each combustor 124. Turbine assembly 1 18 is coupled to compressor
assembly 114 and to a load 128 such as, but not limited to, an electrical generator
andlor a mechanical drive application. In the exemplary embodiment, compressor
assembly 114 and turbine assembly 118 each include at least one rotor disk assembly
130 that is coupled to a rotor shaft 122 to form a rotor assembly 132.
As shown in FIG. 2, Compressor assembly 114includes at
least one rotor blade or compressor blade 134 that is coupled to rotor shaft 122. In the
exemplary embodiment, compressor assembly 114 includes a plurality of stages 138
that each include a row 140 of compressor blades 134 and a stationary row 142 of
compressor vanes 144. In the exemplary embodiment, each stage 138 includes thlrtytwo
compressor blades 134 that are spaced circumferentially about shaft 122.
Alternatively, stage 138 includes any number of compressor blades 134 that enables
compressor assembly 114 to function as described herein.
Each compressor blade 134 extends radially outwardly from
a rotor disk 146. Each rotor disk 146 is coupled to rotor shaft 122 and rotates about a
centerline axis 148. A compressor casing 150 extends circumferentially about rotor
shaft 122 and compressor vanes 144. Each compressor vane 144 is coupled to casing
150 and extends radially inwardly from casing 150 towards rotor disk 146. Each
compressor blade 134 extends outwardly towards casing 150 such that a tip end 152
of each blade 134 is spaced a radial clearance distance (not shown) from an inner
surface 154 of casing 150. Similarly, each compressor vane 144 extends inwardly
towards rotor disk 146 such that a tip end 156 of each compressor vane 144 is spaced
a radial clearance distance (not shown) from a radially outer surface 158 of each rotor
disk 146.
To monitor the operational state or health of compressor
assembly 114, sensors 160 coupled to inner surface '154 monitor compressor blades
134. In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 160 are magnetic blade pass sensors,
such as Hall Effect sensors. Alternatively sensors 160 are any type of detection
device that enables turbine engine 100 to function as described herein.
During operation of compressor assembly 1 14, sensors 160
collect blade pass data. Specifically, in the absence of a compressor blade 134, each
sensor 160 produces a steady voltage output as a signal. When a compressor blade
134 passes sensor 160, a pulse is generated in the voltage signal, and the height of the
pulse is indicative of the distance between compressor blade 134 and sensor 160.
Accordingly, sensors 160 sense each time a compressor blade 134 rotates past and
measure the distance between compressor blade 134 and sensor 160 for each pass.
In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 160 in each stage 138
include at least a primary and secondary sensor that measure each time a compressor
blade 134 passes. Sensors 160 also include a keyphasor sensor that generates a pulse
for each complete revolution of stage 138. Accordingly, in an embodiment where
stage 138 includes thirty-two compressor blades 134, for one revolution of stage 138,
blade pass data from the primary and secondary sensors should include thirty-two
pulses, and blade pass data from the keyphasor sensor should include one pulse.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device
300 that may be used to analyze and present blade pass data from a compressor
assembly, such as compressor assembly 114. Computing device 300 includes at least
one memory device 3 10 and a processor 3 15 that is coupled to memory device 3 10 for
executing instructions. In some embodiments, executable instructions are stored in
memory device 310. Computing device 300 performs one or more operations
described herein by programming processor 3 15. For example, processor 3 15 may be
programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable instructions and by
providing the executable instructions in memory device 3 10.
Processor 3 15 may include one or more processing units (e.g.,
in a multi-core configuration). Further, processor 315 may be implemented using one
or more heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with
secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor 3 15
may be a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the
same type. Further, processor 315 may be implemented using any suitable
programmable circuit including one or more systems and microcontrollers,
microprocessors, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific
integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits, field programmable gate
arrays (FPGA), and any other circuit capable of executing the functions described
herein.
Memory device 310 is one or more devices that enable
information such as executable instructions andlor other data to be stored and
retrieved. Memory device 310 may include one or more computer readable media,
such as, without limitation, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random
access memory (SRAM), a solid state disk, and/or a hard disk. Memory device 3 10
may be configured to store, without limitation, application source code, application
object code, source code portions of interest, object code portions of interest,
configuration data, execution events and/or any other type of data.
Computing device 300 includes a presentation interface 320
that is coupled to processor 3 15. Presentation interface 320 presents information, as
described in M e r detail below, to a user 325. For example, presentation interface
320 may include a display adapter (not shown) that may be coupled to a display
device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic
LED (OLED) display, and/or an "electronic ink" display. In some embodiments,
presentation interface 320 includes one or more display devices.
In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 300
includes a user input interface 335. In the exemplary embodiment, user input
interface 335 is coupled to processor 315 and receives input from user 325. User
input interface 335 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse,
a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an
accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio user input interface. A single
component, such as a touch screen, may function as both a display device of
presentation interface 320 and user input interface 335.
Computing device 300 includes a communication interface
340 coupled to processor 3 15 in the exemplary embodiment. Communication
interface 340 communicates with one or more remote devices. To communicate with
remote devices, communication interface 340 may include, for example, a wired
network adapter, a wireless network adapter, and/or a mobile telecommunications
adapter.
In the exemplary embodiment, blade pass data is received
from sensors 160 by communication interface 340 and stored in memory device 3 10.
Utilizing user input interface 335, user 325 can select and display blade pass data on
presentation interface 320, as described in detail below.
FIG. 4 is a screenshot 400 of exemplary blade pass data that
may be displayed on presentation interface 320 of computing device 300 (both shown
in FIG. 3). By observing and analyzing blade pass data, a user, such as user 325
(shown in FIG. 3) can detect potential problems in compressor assembly 114. For
example, if a voltage pulse for a particular compressor blade 134 in blade pass data is
absent and/or has an anomalous height, user 325 can determine there is a potential
problem with compressor blade 134. Notably, while screenshot 400 includes blade
pass data, alternatively, the data displayed on presentation interface 320 may be any
suitable data, including other turbine engine data or data unrelated to turbine engine
applications.
In the exemplary embodiment, the blade pass data in
screenshot 400 includes a keyphasor sensor plot 402, a primary blade pass sensor plot
404, and a secondary blade pass sensor plot 406 for a particular stage 138. Keyphasor
sensor plot 402 includes blade pass data from a keyphasor sensor of sensors 160,
primary blade pass sensor plot 404 includes blade pass data from a primary blade pass
sensor of sensors 160, and secondary blade pass sensor plot 406 includes blade pass
data from a secondary blade pass sensor of sensors 160. Alternatively, screenshot
400 includes plots and/or data that enables computing device 300 to function as
described herein.
Each of keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary blade pass sensor
plot 406, and secondary blade pass sensor plot 406 plot a voltage signal of the
respective sensor on a Y-axis 408 against time on an X-axis 410. In the exemplary
embodiment, each plot 402, 404, and 406 has a different scale on the Y-axis 408, but
all plots 402, 404, and 406 have the same scale on the X-axis 410. Alternatively,
plots 402, 404, and 406 have any Y-axis and X-axis scales that enable computing
device 300 to function as described herein.
To better view blade pass data, it may be advantageous for
user 325 to zoom in on a particular portion of keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary
blade pass sensor plot 404, andlor secondary blade pass sensor plot 406. To zoom in
on a particular portion, user 325 utilizes user input interface 335 (shown in FIG. 3) to
create a zoom window 420. In one embodiment, user 325 creates zoom window 420
by clicking and dragging a cursor to create window 420 using a mouse. In another
embodiment, user 325 selects a point on keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary blade
pass sensor plot 404, or secondary blade pass sensor plot 406, and selects a zoom
magnification on a magnification bar. Alternatively, zoom window 420 may be
created using any suitable method that enables computing device 300 to function as
described herein.
FIG. 5 is an image of an exemplary magnification bar 500
that may be used to create zoom window 420 (shown in FIG. 4). In one embodiment,
magnification bar 500 is displayed on presentation interface 320 after user 325 selects
a point on keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary blade pass sensor plot 404, or
secondary blade pass sensor plot 406 to zoom in on. Magnification bar 500 includes a
slider 502 that may be adjusted along a range 504 to increase andlor decrease a zoom
magnification (i.e., increase and decrease the size of zoom window 420). A
magnification identifier 506 displays the currently selected zoom magnification
("120% in FIG. 5). To adjust the zoom magnification, user 325 can select a
magnification decrease button 5 10 or a magnification increase button 5 12 to decrease
or increase, respectively, the zoom magnification. User 325 may also click and drag
slider 502 along range 504 using a mouse.
Referring again to FIG. 4, based on zoom window 420
created in one of keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary blade pass sensor plot 404, or
secondary blade pass sensor plot 406, processor 3 15 (shown in FIG. 3) automatically
determines a corresponding zoom window 422 in the remaining plots. For example,
as shown in FIG. 4, user creates zoom window 420 on primary blade pass sensor plot
404. Accordingly, processor 315 automatically determines corresponding zoom
windows 422 for keyphasor sensor plot 402 and secondary blade pass sensor plot 406.
In the exemplary embodiment, corresponding zoom windows 422 are displayed on
presentation interface 320. Alternatively, corresponding zoom windows 422 are still
automatically determined by processor 315, but are not displayed on presentation
interface 320.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the exemplary embodiment,
corresponding zoom windows 422 have the same size and are located at the same
relative position within their respective plots as zoom window 420 in keyphasor
sensor plot 402. Accordingly, related data can be easily compared by simultaneously
viewing data in zoom window 420 and corresponding zoom windows 422.
FIG. 6 is an exemplary screenshot 600 of zoomed-in blade
pass data that may be displayed on presentation interface 320 (shown in FIG. 3). As
shown in FIG. 6, once user 325 creates zoom window 420, processor 315 causes
presentation interface 320 to automatically display a zoomed-in keyphasor sensor plot
602, a zoomed-in primary blade pass sensor plot 604, and a zoomed-in secondary
blade pass sensor plot 606. Zoomed-in keyphasor sensor plot 602 corresponds to
corresponding zoom window 422 of keyphasor sensor plot 402, zoomed-in primary
blade pass sensor plot 604 corresponds to zoom window 420 of primary blade pass
sensor plot 404, and zoomed-in secondary blade pass sensor plot 606 corresponds to
corresponding zoom window 422 of secondary blade pass sensor plot 406. That is,
keyphasor sensor plot 402, primary blade pass sensor plot 404, and secondary blade
pass sensor plot 406 are synchronously zoomed based on zoom window 420.
Accordingly, based on user-created zoom window 420 in a
selected plot, presentation interface 320 simultaneously displays a zoomed-in area of
the selected plot along with corresponding zoomed-in areas of the remaining plots.
This enables user 325 to quickly and easily compare blade sensor data in keyphasor
sensor plot 402, primary blade pass sensor plot 404, and secondary blade pass sensor
plot 406.
In the exemplary embodiment, zoom window 420 increases
magnification along both X-axis 410 and Y-axis 408. Alternatively, depending on the
dimensions of zoom window 420, zoom window 420 may increases magnification
only along one of X-axis and Y-axis. Further, to aid in comparing blade pass data, in
the exemplary embodiment, all of the zoomed-in plots have the same scale for at least
one of Y-axis 408 and X-axis 410. For example, in FIG. 6, zoomed-in keyphasor
sensor plot 602, zoomed-in primary blade pass sensor plot 604, and zoomed-in
secondary blade pass sensor plot 606 have the same scale along X-axis 410 but a
different scale along Y-axis 408. Alternatively, zoomed-in plots 602, 604, and 606
may have any suitable scale.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 700 that may
be implemented to display a plurality of plots simultaneously. In the exemplary
embodiment, a plurality of plots are displayed 702 on a presentation interface, such as
plots 402, 404, and 406 (shown in FIG. 4) on presentation interface 320 (shown in
FIG. 3). A processing device, such as processor 3 15 (shown in FIG. 3), determines
704 a created zoom window, such as zoom window 420 (shown in FIG. 4) on a
selected plot of the plurality of plots. The created zoom window may be created in
response to user input, as described above.
Based on the created zoom window, the processing device
automatically determines 706 a corresponding zoom window for each remaining plot,
such as corresponding zoom windows 422 (shown in FIG. 4) for plots 402 and 406.
Using the created zoom window and the corresponding zoom window, a zoomed-in
area, such as zoomed-in plots 602, 604, and 606, is displayed 708 on the presentation
interface for each plot.
The embodiments described herein enable a plurality of plots
to be accurately and effectively displayed on a presentation interface. By creating a
zoom window on a selected plot of the plurality of plots, a corresponding zoom
window is automatically generated for each of the remaining plots. Using the created
zoom window and the corresponding zoom windows, a zoomed-in area of the selected
plot is displayed, as well as zoomed-in areas for each of the remaining plots.
Simultaneously displaying a zoomed-in area for each of the plurality of plots on the
presentation interface enables a user to quickly and easily compare data between the
different plots.
As compared to at least some data display systems, the
systems and methods described herein enable simultaneously displaying a zoomed-in
area on a plurality of plots. That is, at least some known data display systems,
different plots of data are displayed at different scales, and the different plots cannot
be easily compared. In contrast, the systems and methods described herein enable
displaying data from a plurality of plots at the same scale along at least one axis.
Moreover, in at least some known data display systems, zooming in on a selected data
plot only magnifies that particular plot. In contrast, using the systems and methods
described herein, based on a zoom window created for a selected plot, corresponding
zoom windows are automatically created for remaining plots, and a zoomed-in area
for each plot is displayed simultaneously.
The methods and systems described herein are not limited to
the specific embodiments described herein. For example, components of each system
and/or steps of each method may be used and/or practiced independently and
separately from other components and/or steps described herein. In addition, each
component andlor step may also be used and/or practiced with other systems,
apparatus, and methods. For example, the data in the plurality of plots is not limited
to compressor assembly blade pass data, but may include blade vibration data, or even
data unrelated to the operation of a gas turbine engine.
This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to
practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and
performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is
defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in
the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if
they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the
literal languages of the claims.
While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be
practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A system (300) for displaying a plurality of plots (402, 404, 406), said
system comprising:
a presentation interface (320) configured to display the plurality of plots;
a user input interface (335) configured to create a zoom window (420) on a
selected plot of the plurality of plots; and
a processing device (3 15) configured to:
determine automatically, based on the created zoom window, a
corresponding zoom window (422) for each remaining plot of the plurality of
plots; and
display simultaneously, on the presentation interface, a zoomed-in area
(602) of the selected plot based on the created zoom window and a zoomed-in
area (604, 606) of each of the remaining plots based on the corresponding
zoom window for each of the remaining plots.
2. A system (300) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said presentation
interface (320) is configured to display a plurality of plots (402, 404, 406) including
blade pass data from a turbine engine (100).
3. A system (300) in ,accordance with Claim 2, wherein said presentation
interface (320) is configured to display a plurality of plots (402, 404, 406) including
blade pass data from a stage (138) of a compressor assembly (1 14) of the turbine
engine (1 00).
4. A system (300) in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said presentation
interface (320) is configured to display a plurality of plots (402,404,406) including at
least a keyphasor sensor plot, a primary blade pass sensor plot, and a secondary blade
pass sensor plot.
5. A system (300) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said user input
interface (335) is configured to create a zoom window (420) in response to a user
(325) clicking and dragging a cursor.
6. A system (300) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said user input
interface (335) is configured to create a zoom window (420) in response to a user
selecting a point on the selected plot and selecting a zoom magnification.
7. A system (300) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said processing
device (3 15) is configured to determine automatically a corresponding zoom window
(422) that is located at the same relative position within each remaining plot as the
created zoom window (420) in the selected plot.
8. A processing device (315) configured to:
display a plurality of plots (402,404,406) on a presentation interface (335);
determine, based on user input, a created zoom window (420) on a selected
plot of the plurality of plots;
determine automatically, based on the created zoom window, a corresponding
zoom window (422) for each remaining plot of the plurality of plots; and
display simultaneously, on the presentation interface, a zoomed-in area (602)
of the selected plot based on the created zoom window and a zoomed-in area (604,
606) of each of the remaining plots based on the corresponding zoom window for
each of the remaining plots.
9. A processing device (315) in accordance with Claim 8, wherein the
processing device is configured to display a plurality of plots (402, 404, 406)
including blade pass data from a turbine engine (100).
10. A processing device (315) in accordance with Claim 9, wherein the
processing device (3 15) is configured to display a plurality of plots (402, 404, 406)
including blade pass data from a stage (138) of a compressor assembly (1 14) of the
turbine engine (1 00).