Systems and methods for diagnosing engine components and auxiliary equipment associated with an engine
View Patent ↗Diagnosing equipment coupled to a generator. A condition of the equipment is diagnosed based on information provided by signals from a generator operationally connected to the equipment or other signals associated with an engine. Different types of degradation are distinguished based on discerning characteristics within the information. Thus, a degraded equipment component can be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.
1. A system, comprising:
a controller that is operable to determine a condition of equipment electrically coupled to a generator based on frequency content of a measured dc-link parameter associated with the generator over time; and
a sensor configured to sense the dc-link parameter associated with the generator.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is operable to communicate with the controller and to sample the dc-link parameter over time, and wherein the controller is further operable to extract the frequency content of the dc-link parameter.
3. A method, comprising:
measuring a dc-link parameter associated with a generator that is coupled to an engine during operation using a dc-link sensor; and
diagnosing a condition of an engine component of the engine based on frequency content of the dc-link parameter using at least a processor.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on a magnitude of a peak of the frequency content.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on one or more of a magnitude or a phase of the frequency content.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising diagnosing the condition of the engine component based on a half-order component of the frequency content.
7. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating a historical file of diagnostic data and monitoring the historical file for changes in the diagnostic data over time.
8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating a historical file of diagnostic data, monitoring the historical file for diagnostic data that changes a determined amount over a period of time preceding a fault, and setting a failure threshold level in response to the monitoring.
9. The method of claim 3 , further comprising predicting a failure of the engine component.
10. The method of claim 3 , further comprising determining a severity of a degraded condition of the engine component.
11. The method of claim 3 , further comprising notifying one or more of an operator of the engine, a dispatcher, or a service shop of a diagnosed condition of the engine.
12. The method of claim 3 , further comprising scheduling maintenance of the engine in response to diagnosing a condition of an engine component.
13. The method of claim 3 , further comprising confirming a diagnosed condition of the engine component by cross-referencing the diagnosed condition with information stored in a diagnostic data archive.
14. The method of claim 3 , further comprising confirming a diagnosed condition of the engine component by initiating, in a safe operating mode, at least one test that changes at least one operating parameter of the engine to intentionally change the diagnosed condition.
15. The method of claim 3 , further comprising taking at least one proactive step to avoid a catastrophic failure of the engine component.
16. The method of claim 3 , further comprising de-rating the engine component in response to diagnosing a condition of the engine component.
17. The method of claim 3 , further comprising disabling the engine component in response to diagnosing a condition of the engine component.