BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to
monitoring systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for use in
monitoring operation of a rotating device.
Known machines may exhibit vibrations or other behavior
during operation. Sensors may be used to measure such behavior and to determine,
for example, an amount of vibration exhibited in a motor drive shaft, a rotational
position or displacement of the motor drive shaft, and/or other suitable operational
characteristics of a machine or motor. Often, the sensors are coupled to a monitoring
system that includes a plurality of monitors and at least one processor. The
monitoring system receives signals that are representative of measurements sensed
from the sensors, and transmits those measurements to a diagnostic platform that
displays the measurements in a form usable by a user.
However, at least some known diagnostic platforms may have
limited space in which to display measurements received from sensors. Accordingly,
at any one time, known diagnostic systems may only be able to display a subset of
desired measurement data to a technician or a user. As such, the technician or user
may not be able to easily and/or quickly diagnose operational faults and/or errors
within a machine. Such difficulty and/or delay in diagnosing faults and/or errors may
result in damage occurring to the machine and/or may undesirably result in the
machine becoming unusable for a period of time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a system for use in monitoring operation
of a rotating device is provided. The system includes at least one sensor configured to
sense a position of a component coupled to the rotating device with respect to a
predefined axis and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the component,
and a processor coupled to the at least one sensor. The processor is programmed to
calculate a plurality of property values of the component based at least in part on the
position, and graphically present at least one time-based waveform based on at least a
portion of the plurality of component property values, wherein the at least one timebased
waveform is indicative of a position of the component along a predefined axis.
The processor is also programmed to graphically present at least one orbit plot based
on at least a portion of the plurality of component property values, wherein the at least
one orbit plot is indicative of a position of the component within a predefined plane,
and synchronize the at least one time-based waveform with the at least one orbit plot.
In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium
is provided having computer executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when
executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to
receive a signal indicative of a position of a component coupled to a rotating device
with respect to a predefined axis and calculate a plurality of property values of the
component based at least in part on the position. The processor is also caused to
graphically present at least one time-based waveform based on at least a portion of the
plurality of component property values, graphically present at least one orbit plot
based on at least a portion of the plurality of component property values, and
synchronize the at least one time-based waveform with the at least one orbit plot. The
at least one time-based waveform is indicative of a position of the component along
the predefined axis, and the at least one orbit plot is indicative of a position of the
component within a predefined plane.
In yet another embodiment, a method of monitoring operation
of a rotating device including a component is provided that includes receiving a signal
indicative of a position of the component with respect to a predefined axis and
calculating a plurality of property values of the component based at least in part on
the position. The method also includes graphically presenting at least one time-based
waveform based on at least a portion of the plurality of component property values,
graphically presenting at least one orbit plot based on at least a portion of the plurality
of compom;nt property values, and synchronizing the at least one time-based
waveform with the at least one orbit plot. The at least one time-based waveform is
indicative of a position of the component along the predefined axis, and the at least
one orbit plot is indicative of a position of the component within a predefined plane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a schematic illustration of an exemplary rotating
device.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a component of the
rotating device shown in FIG. I.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary monitoring system
that may be used with the rotating device shown in FIG. I.
FIG. 4 is a graphical view of an exemplary display that may
be used with the monitoring system shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method that may be
used in monitoring an operation of the rotating device shown in FIG. I.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. I is a schematic view of an exemplary rotating device
100. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a component 102 used within rotating device
I 00. In the exemplary embodiment, rotating device I 00 is a turbine engine system
I 00 that includes an intake section I 04, a compressor section I 06 coupled
downstream from intake section I 04, a combustor section I 08 coupled downstream
from compressor section I 06, a turbine section II 0 coupled downstream from
combustor section 108, and an exhaust section 112. A rotor shaft assembly 114 is
coupled to turbine section II 0 and compressor section I 06 and includes a drive shaft
116 that extends between turbine section II 0 and compressor section I 06 along a
centerline axis 118. At least one support element, such as at least one bearing 120,
rotatably supports drive shaft 116. Combustor section 108 includes a plurality of
combustors 122. Combustor section 108 is coupled to compressor section 106 such
that each combustor 122 is in flow communication with compressor section 106.
A fuel assembly 124 is coupled to each combustor 122 to
provide a flow of fuel to combustor 122. Turbine section 110 is rotatably coupled to
compressor section 106 and to an electrical generator 126 via drive shaft 116.
Compressor section 106 and turbine section 110 each include at least one rotor blade
or compressor blade (not shown) that is coupled to rotor shaft assembly 114. Rotor
shaft assembly 114 includes a rotor shaft 128 that is coupled to generator 126 and that
imparts a power loading to generator 126 during operation of rotating device 100.
Generator 126 is coupled to a power source, such as for example, an electric utility
grid (not shown) for distributing electrical power to the utility grid. Alternatively,
rotating device I 00 may have other configurations and use other types of components.
For example, rotating device IOO may be or may include at least one gas turbine
engine, another type of turbine and/or machine, and/or another type of power
generation equipment that enables rotating device 100 to function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, a monitoring system I30
includes a computing device 132 and a plurality of sensors 134 coupled to computing
device 132. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, sensors 134 are coupled to, or
are positioned proximate to, at least one component 102 of rotating device I 00, such
as at least one segment 136 of drive shaft II6 and/or of rotor shaft I28. Alternatively
or additionally, sensors 134 may be coupled to, or positioned proximate to, another
component 102 such as, but not limited to, bearing 120.
Sensors I34, in the exemplary embodiment, include a first
vibration or proximity sensor I40, a second vibration or proximity sensor 142, and a
rotation sensor I44. Alternatively, sensors 134 may include any other type and/or
number of sensors that enables monitoring system 130 to function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, first proximity sensor I40 is positioned in close
proximity to component 102 to detect a position and/or a proximity of component 102
along a first axis, or X-axis 146, relative to sensor 140. Second proximity sensor 142
is positioned in close proximity to component 102 to detect a position and/or a
proximity of component 102 along a second axis, or Y -axis 148, relative to sensor
142. While FIG. 2 illustrates X-axis 146 oriented along a horizontal axis, andY-axis
148 oriented along a vertical axis, it should be recognized that X-axis 146 and/or Yaxis
148 may be oriented along any suitable axis to enable monitoring system 130 to
function as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, X-axis 146 andY-axis
148 are perpendicular to each other and each is perpendicular to centerline axis 118.
First proximity sensor 140 and second proximity sensor 142 work in combination to
detect a position of component 102 within a two-dimensional Cartesian reference
plane 150, or X-Y plane 150, that is perpendicular to centerline axis 118. First
proximity sensor 140 and second proximity sensor 142 transmit signals representative
of the detected position of component 102 to computing device 132.
In the exemplary embodiment, sensor 144 detects a rotation
of component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, rotation sensor
144 detects an indicia coupled to, or part of, component 102 that may include, but is
not limited to only including, a magnetic strip, a material that is different than a
material of component 102, and/or a predefined mark or a notch (not shown) on
component 102 during each revolution of component 102, or during a predefined
portion of a revolution of component 102, as the mark or notch rotates past sensor
144. In the exemplary embodiment, sensor 144 transmits a signal representative of
the detection of the mark or notch to computing device 132 to enable a rotational
frequency of component 102 to be determined. Moreover, in the exemplary
embodiment, each sensor 134 is synchronously sampled such that computing device
132 receives measurements from each sensor 134 at substantially the same time to
facilitate synchronizing a display of data received from each sensor 134.
During operation, intake section 1 04 channels air towards
compressor section I 06. Compressor section 106 compresses the inlet air to a higher
pressure and temperature and discharges the compressed air towards combustor
section 108. Fuel is channeled from fuel assembly 124 to each combustor 122
wherein the fuel is mixed with the compressed air and ignited in combustor section
108. Combustor section 108 channels combustion gases to turbine section 110
wherein gas stream thermal energy is converted to mechanical rotational energy to
drive compressor section 106 and/or generator 126 via drive shaft 116. Exhaust gases
exit turbine section 110 and flow through exhaust section 112 to ambient atmosphere.
Monitoring system 130 monitors at least one condition of
rotating device 100 and/or component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary
embodiment, first proximity sensor 140 senses a position of component 102 along Xaxis
146 and second proximity sensor 142 senses a position of component 102 along
Y-axis 148. Rotation sensor 144 senses a rotation of component 102. Each sensor
134 transmits a respective measurement signal to computing device 132 for
processing and/or display, as is described more fully below. For example, in the
exemplary embodiment, the sensed position of component 102 along X-axis 146 may
be used to determine and/or display a movement or a vibration of component 102 with
respect to first proximity sensor 140, and the sensed position of component 102 along
Y-axis 148 may be used to determine and/or display a movement or a vibration of
component 102 with respect to second proximity sensor 142.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary monitoring system
130 that may be used with rotating device 100 (shown in FIG 1). In the exemplary
embodiment, monitoring system 130 includes a computing device 132 that is coupled
in communication with sensors 134. More specifically, monitoring system 130
includes first proximity sensor 140, second proximity sensor 142, and rotation sensor
144 coupled to computing device 132.
In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132
includes a processor 200 that is coupled in communication with a memory device 202
for executing programmed instructions. In the exemplary embodiment, executable
instructions are stored in memory device 202. Alternatively, executable instructions
may be retrieved from another device via a computer network. In the exemplary
embodiment, computing device 132 is programmable to perform one or more
operations described herein by programming processor 200. For example, processor
200 may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable
instructions and providing the executable instructions in memory device 202.
Moreover, in one embodiment, processor 200 may include one or more processing
units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration).
Processor 200 may include, but is not limited to only
including, a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit
(GPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor, an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic circuit (PLC),
and/or any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described
herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in
any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.
In the exemplary embodiment, memory device 202 is one or
more devices that enable information, such as executable instructions and/or other
data, to be selectively stored and retrieved. Memory device 202 includes 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 202 may be configured to store, without limitation,
executable instructions and/or any other type of data suitable for use with the methods
described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132
includes a presentation interface 204 that is coupled to processor 200. Presentation
interface 204 is configured to output (e.g., display, print, and/or otherwise output)
information, such as, but not limited to, a plurality of component property values
and/or traces (not shown in FIG. 3) to a user 206. For example, presentation interface
204 may include a display adapter (not shown in FIG. 2) that is coupled to a display
device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic
light-emitting diode (OLEO) display, and/or an "electronic ink" display. In one
embodiment, presentation interface 204 includes more than one display device.
Computing device 132, in the exemplary embodiment,
includes an input interface 208 that receives input from user 206. For example, input
interface 208 may receive a selection of a movement of a marker (not shown in FIG.
3) displayed by presentation interface 204, and/or may receive any other information
suitable for use with the methods and systems described herein. In the exemplary
embodiment, input interface 208 is coupled to processor 200 and may include, for
example, a keyboard, a selector knob, 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 input interface. A single component, such as a
touch screen, may function as both a display device of presentation interface 204 and
as input interface 208.
In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 also
includes a sensor interface 210 that is coupled to at least one sensor 134. Each sensor
134 transmits a signal corresponding to a detected condition of component I 02, such
as a detected position and/or rotational frequency of component I 02. Each sensor 134
may transmit a signal continuously, periodically, or only once, and/or at any other
signal timing that enables computing device 132 to function as described herein.
Moreover, each sensor 134 may transmit a signal either in an analog form or in a
digital form.
Computing device 132 includes a communication interface
212 coupled to processor 200. Communication interface 212 is coupled in
communication with a remote device, such as a server, a computer, and/or another
computing device 132. For example, communication interface 212 may include,
without limitation, a wired network adapter, a wireless network adapter, and/or a
mobile telecommunications adapter.
FIG. 4 is a graphical view of an exemplary display 300 that
may be generated by monitoring system 130 (shown in FIG. 1). More specifically, in
the exemplary embodiment, display 300 is presented and/or generated by computing
device 132 (shown in FIG. 1), e.g., via processor 200 and/or presentation interface
204 (both shown in FIG. 3). Moreover, display 300 may be updated by input (e.g.,
selections and/or entries) received via input interface 208 (shown in FIG. 3). In an
alternative embodiment, one or more inputs are received via communication interface
212 (shown in FIG. 3). For example, a selection may be received via an input
interface 208 of a remote computing device 132 and may be transmitted by a
communication interface 212 of remote computing device 132. In another
embodiment, display 300 is displayed on a remote device, such as a personal data
assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a tablet computer, and/or another device coupled to
computing device 132, for example, via communication interface 212.
In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring system 130
receives signals representative of measured conditions of component 102 (shown in
FIG. 2) from sensors 134 (shown in FIG. 1). Processor 200 calculates or determines a
plurality of properties of component 102 (shown in FIG. 1) (hereinafter referred to as
"component properties") monitored by monitoring system 130 based on the signals
received. Moreover, processor 200 converts the signals into a plurality of values
representative of component properties (hereinafter referred to as "component
property values") and/or other conditions of component 102 and/or rotating device
100, and stores the values in memory device 202. In the exemplary embodiment,
component properties and/or component property values may include, but are not
limited to only including, a vibration amplitude along X-axis 146, a vibration
amplitude along Y-axis 148, a vibration amplitude within X-Y plane 150, a rotational
speed or frequency of component 102, a phase of component 102, and/or any other
property or condition of component 102 that enables monitoring system 130 to
function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 transmits at
least a portion or subset of the component property values to presentation interface
204, and presentation interface 204 generates display 300 for use in graphically
presenting the component property values to user 206 (shown in FIG. 3). In the
ID
exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays the
component property values substantially in real-time via display 300. As used herein,
the term "real-time" refers to receiving and/or displaying data substantially
immediately after the data has been generated, disregarding a time required to
transmit and/or process the data. Alternatively, processor 200 may retrieve the
component property values from memory device 202 and processor 200 and/or
presentation interface 204 may display the component property values at a time after
the values have been generated and/or stored.
In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or
presentation interface 204 displays a plurality of traces 302, such as a plurality of
time-based waveforms and a plurality of orbit plots, on display 300. As described
more fully below, the time-based waveforms graphically illustrate direct and/or
filtered values of at least one component property, such as an amplitude of vibration
along an axis, with respect to time. The orbit plots graphically illustrate direct and/or
filtered values of at least one component property, such as an amplitude or a shape of
vibration with respect to a plane and with respect to a period of revolution of
component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the time-based
waveforms include an X-axis direct waveform 304, an X-axis filtered waveform 306,
a Y -axis direct waveform 308, and a Y -axis filtered waveform 310. The orbit plots
include a direct orbit plot 312 and a filtered orbit plot 314. Alternatively, traces 302
may include any other time-based waveform and/or orbit plot that enables monitoring
system 130 to function as described herein. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment,
each trace 302 is synchronized with each other trace 302. As used herein, the term
"synchronize" refers to a display of a marker 316 or another location indicator on
each trace 302 such that a change of a location of marker 316 on one trace 302 is
automatically reflected in a similar change of a location of marker 316 on each other
trace 302.
X-axis direct waveform 304 and X-axis filtered waveform
306, in the exemplary embodiment, illustrate the position of component 102 along Xaxis
146 over time. The position of component 102 along X-axis 146 corresponds to
1 a vibration amplitude of component 102 along X-axis 146. More specifically, X-axis
direct waveform 304 illustrates an unfiltered amplitude of vibration of component 102
over time. The vibration amplitude is calculated by processor 200 from the proximity
measurement data received from at least one sensor 134, such as first proximity
sensor 140 (shown in FIG. 2).
In the exemplary embodiment, X-axis filtered waveform 306
illustrates a filtered amplitude of vibration of component 102 over time. The filtered
vibration amplitude is calculated by processor 200 from the proximity measurement
data received from at least one sensor 134, such as first proximity sensor 140, after
the data has been processed by a filter (not shown). The filter may be a low-pass
filter, a high-pass filter, and/or a bandpass filter with a center frequency about, for
example, a rotational frequency of component 102 and/or of rotating device 100.
Alternatively, the filter may be any other filter that enables monitoring system 130
and/or display 300 to function as described herein. As such, in the exemplary
embodiment, the filter removes undesired frequency components from the signals
received from sensors 134 such that the amplitude of the vibration of component 102
may be isolated and/or may be more easily viewed.
In a similar manner, Y -axis direct waveform 308 and Y -axis
filtered waveform 310, in the exemplary embodiment, illustrate the position of
component 102 along Y -axis 148 over time. The position of component 102 along Yaxis
148 corresponds to a vibration amplitude of component 102 along Y-axis 148.
Y -axis direct waveform 308 and Y -axis filtered waveform 310 are calculated and/or
generated by processor 200 using data received from at least one sensor 134, such as
second proximity sensor 142 (shown in FIG. 2). In other respects, Y -axis direct
waveform 308 and Y -axis filtered waveform 310 are generated as described above
with respect to X-axis direct waveform 304 and X-axis filtered waveform 306.
In the exemplary embodiment, direct orbit plot 312 and
filtered orbit plot 314 illustrate the position and/or the vibration of component 102
within X-Y plane 150 (shown in FIG. 2) over time. More specifically, direct orbit
plot 312 illustrates an unfiltered vibration amplitude and/or position of component
102 over time with respect to X-Y plane 150. The vibration amplitude and/or position
of component 102 within X-Y plane 150 is calculated by processor 200 from the
proximity measurement data received from a plurality of sensors 134, such as first
proximity sensor 140 and second proximity sensor 142. Moreover, in the exemplary
embodiment, filtered orbit plot 314 illustrates a filtered vibration amplitude and/or
position of component 102 over time with respect to X-Y plane 150. The filtered
vibration amplitude and/or position of component 102 within X-Y plane 150 is
calculated by processor 200 from the filtered proximity measurement data received,
for example, from first proximity sensor 140 and second proximity sensor 142, as
described above with respect to X-axis filtered waveform 306 and Y -axis filtered
waveform 310. Direct orbit plot 312 and/or filtered orbit plot 314 also illustrate a
profile or shape 318 of vibration within X-Y plane 150 and/or a direction 320 of
vibration of component 102 as marker 316 is moved along plot 312 and/or 314. More
specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, direct orbit plot 312 and/or filtered orbit
plot 314 are oriented within display 300 to correspond to a reference plane (i.e., X-Y
plane 150) of component 102 such that the amplitude, shape 318, and/or direction 320
of vibration illustrated in direct orbit plot 312 and/or filtered orbit plot 314 correspond
to an amplitude, shape, and/or direction of vibration (not shown) of component 102.
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each trace 302
includes a phase or rotation indicator 322 that visually or graphically identifies each
instance in time that component 102 has completed a revolution. Phase indicator 322
corresponds to data received from rotation sensor 144 (shown in FIG. 2). More
specifically, processor 200 calculates or determines a location of phase indicator 322
on each trace 302 by correlating data received from rotation sensor 144 with data
received from at least one other sensor 134, such as first proximity sensor 140 and/or
second proximity sensor 142. Phase indicator 322 provides an absolute phase
reference, with respect to each revolution of component 102, for each trace 302 and
may be used to identify a relative phase difference between traces 302.
In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or
presentation interface 204 displays other component property values and/or other
values related to component 102 and/or rotating device 100 on display 300. Such
values may include, but are not limited to only including, a rotational frequency
and/or a rotational speed (in revolutions per minute or in another unit of
measurement) of component 102 and/or rotating device 100, the relative phase, the
absolute phase, and/or the vibration amplitude and/or position of component I 02 at
marker 316. More specifically, when each marker 316 is displayed or positioned at a
location along each trace 302, processor 200 accesses memory device 202 to receive
the component property value or values corresponding to the time value of each
marker location. Processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays the
component property value or values corresponding to the location of each marker 316
on display 300.
During operation, in the exemplary embodiment, processor
200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays a plurality of traces 302 to user 206 via
display 300. User 206, in the exemplary embodiment, may cause marker 316 to be
displayed at a first location on at least one trace 302, for example, by manipulating a
selector and/or a portion (neither shown) of input interface 208 to generate a first user
input signal. In the exemplary embodiment, a marker 316 is displayed at a second
location along at least one other trace 302 (or along each other each trace 302) within
display 300 based on the first user input signal, and each marker 316 and/or location
is synchronized with each other marker 316 and/or location. Each location along each
trace 302 corresponds to a time value and a component property value at that time
value. More specifically, a first marker 316 is positioned at a desired location on a
first trace 302 based on user input, for example. Each other marker 316 is positioned
along a respective trace 302 at a location that corresponds to the same time value as
the time value of first marker 316.
User 206 may also manipulate the selector and/or the portion
of input interface 208 to cause marker 316 to be moved to a desired location on at
least one trace 302, such as at least one time-based waveform and/or at least one orbit
plot. Input interface 208 receives the user input and transmits a second user input
signal representative of the user input to processor 200. In the exemplary
embodiment, processor 200 calculates an offset value based on the second user input
signal received from input interface 208. The offset value, in the exemplary
embodiment, represents an amount of time to move marker 316 along trace 302.
In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 calculates a
new, or third location for marker 316 along trace 302 based on the offset value, and
processor 200 and/ or presentation interface 204 displays marker 316 at the new
location. For example, if user 206 manipulates input interface 208 to select an
increment of 10 milliseconds (ms) for marker 316, processor 200 and/or presentation
interface 204 displays marker 316 at a location along trace 302 that corresponds to the
previous time value of marker 316 plus 10 ms.
Processor 200, in the exemplary embodiment, calculates a
fourth location for at least one other marker 316 (or for each other marker 316) along
a respective trace 302 that corresponds to the new time value of first marker 316. In
the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays
each other marker 316 at the calculated location along each trace 302. Accordingly,
processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 synchronizes traces 302 and/or
markers 316 with each other such that user 206 may move a first marker 316 to a new
time location on a first trace 302, and each other marker 316 on each other trace 302
is automatically updated to a new time location that corresponds to the new location
of first marker 316.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 that may
be used to monitor an operation of rotating device 100 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or
component 102 (shown in FIG. 2). In the exemplary embodiment, method 400 is at
least partially performed and/or executed by computing device 132 (shown in FIG. 1).
For example, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of computer-executable
instructions are embodied within a computer-readable medium, such as memory
device 202. The instructions, when executed by a processor, such as processor 200,
I~
cause the processor to execute the steps of method 400 and/or to function as described
herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 and/or
processor 200 receives 402, from first proximity sensor 140 (shown in FIG. 2), a first
signal that is indicative of a sensed position of component 102 with respect to a first
predefined axis, such as X-axis 146 (shown in FIG. 2). Moreover, computing device
132 and/or processor 200 receives 404, from second proximity sensor 142 (shown in
FIG. 2), a second signal that is indicative of a sensed position of component 102 with
respect to a second predefined axis, such as Y -axis I48 (shown in FIG. 2). A third
signal indicative of a sensed rotation of component I 02 is received 406 by computing
device 132 and/or processor 200 from rotation sensor 144 (shown in FIG. 2).
Processor 200, in the exemplary embodiment, calculates 408
a plurality of property values of component 102 based at least in part on the detected
position of component I 02 and/or based on the detected rotation of component I 02.
Processor 200 graphically presents, or displays 410, at least one time-based waveform
that is indicative of a position of component I 02 along a predefined axis to user 206
through presentation interface 204 (both shown in FIG. 3) and display 300 (shown in
FIG. 4). For example, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or
presentation interface 204 graphically presents 4IO X-axis direct waveform 304
and/or X-axis filtered waveform 306 that are indicative of the position of component
I02 along X-axis I46, and/or graphically presents 4IO Y-axis direct waveform 308
and/or Y -axis filtered waveform 3I 0 (each shown in FIG. 4) that are indicative of the
position of component I02 along Y-axis 148. In the exemplary embodiment, the
time-based waveform is based on, or is generated from, at least a portion of the
calculated plurality of component property values.
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200
graphically presents, or displays 4I2, at least one orbit plot that is indicative of a
position of component I02 within a predefined reference plane, such as X-Y plane
ISO to user 206 through presentation interface 204 and display 300. For example, in
the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204
graphically presents 412 direct orbit plot 312 and/or filtered orbit plot 314 that are
indicative of the position of component 102 within X-Y plane 150. In the exemplary
embodiment, the orbit plot is based on, or is generated from, at least a portion of the
calculated plurality of component property values. Moreover, processor 200 and/or
presentation interface 204 synchronizes 414 at least one time-based waveform with at
least one orbit plot. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each timebased
waveform and each orbit plot is synchronized 414 with each other.
An exemplary technical effect of the methods, systems, and
apparatus described herein includes at least one of (a) receiving a signal indicative of
a sensed position of a component with respect to a predefined axis; (b) calculating a
plurality of property values of a component based at least in part on a sensed position
of the component; (c) graphically presenting at least one time-based waveform based
on at least a portion of a plurality of component property values, wherein the at least
one time-based waveform is indicative of a position of a component along a
predefined axis; (d) graphically presenting at least one orbit plot based on at least a
portion of a plurality of component property values, wherein the at least one orbit plot
is indicative of a position of a component within a predefined plane; and (e)
synchronizing at least one time-based waveform with at least one orbit plot.
As described herein, a monitoring system is provided that
includes a plurality of sensors that sense or detect a position of a component of a
rotating device. The sensors transmit measurement signals to a computing device that
calculates a plurality of component property values from the signals. The computing
device includes a processor and a presentation interface that display at least a portion
of the component property values to a user via a display. The component property
values are displayed in a plurality of time-based waveforms and a plurality of orbit
plots. The processor synchronizes the waveforms and plots such that markers
displayed on each waveform and on each plot are positioned at the same location in
time relative to all waveforms and plots. If a user causes one marker to be moved to a
new location along a waveform or a plot, the processor automatically causes each
other marker to be moved to a corresponding location along each other waveform
and/or plot such that each marker in each respective waveform and plot is positioned
at the same location in time relative to all other waveforms and plots. Accordingly, a
user and/or a technician may quickly view a plurality of synchronized component
values, waveforms, and/or plots for a component of a rotating device in one display to
facilitate determining an operating condition of the component and/or rotating device.
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 and/or step may also be used and/or practiced with other systems,
apparatus, and methods.
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 (130) for monitoring an operation of a rotating device
(1 00), said system comprising:
at least one sensor ( 134) configured to sense a position of a component
(102) of the rotating device with respect to a predefined axis (146) and to generate a
signal indicative of the sensed component position; and
a processor (200) coupled to said at least one sensor, said processor
programmed to:
calculate a plurality of property values of the component based
at least in part on the sensed position;
graphically present at least one time-based waveform (304)
based on at least a portion of the plurality of component property values, wherein the
at least one time-based waveform is indicative of a position of the component along
the predefined axis;
graphically present at least one orbit plot (312) based on at least
a portion of the plurality of component property values, wherein the at least one orbit
plot is indicative of a position of the component within a predefined plane ( 150); and
synchronize the at least one time-based waveform with the at
least one orbit plot.
2. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising
an input interface (208) configured to receive a user input and to generate a signal
indicative of the user input, said processor (200) is further programmed to graphically
present a first marker (316) on the at least one time-based waveform (304) and
graphically present a second marker on the at least one orbit plot (312) in response to
the user input signal.
3. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 2, wherein, in
response to a user input, said processor (200) is programmed to move the first marker
(316) along the at least one time-based waveform (304) and to move the second
marker along the at least one orbit plot (312) synchronously with respect to the first
marker.
4. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 2, wherein, in
response to a user input, said processor (200) calculates a location for the first marker
(316) to be displayed on the at least one time-based waveform (304 ).
5. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 4, wherein, in
response to the user input, said processor (200) calculates a location for the second
marker (316) to be displayed on the at least one orbit plot (312), wherein the location
for the second marker at least partially corresponds to the location for the first marker.
6. A system ( 130) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said at
least one sensor ( 134) comprises a first sensor ( 140) configured to sense a position of
the component (102) along a predefined x-axis (146) and a second sensor (142)
configured to sense a position of the component along a predefined y-axis (148).
7. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 6, wherein said at
least one sensor (134) further comprises a third sensor (144) configured to sense a
rotation of the component (1 02).
8. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 7, wherein said
processor (200) calculates the plurality of component property values based on the
sensed position and the sensed rotation.
9. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising
a memory device (202) coupled to said processor (200), wherein the plurality of
component property values are stored said memory device.
2o
10. A system (130) in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said
processor (200) graphically presents at least one time-based waveform (304) and at
least one orbit plot (312) based on the plurality of component property values stored
in said memory device (202).