Monitoring system for turbomachinery
View Patent ↗A sensing system for monitoring a property of an electrically conductive moving element of turbomachinery. The sensing system includes a sensing system housing. A magnetic core is contained within the sensing system housing. A coil is positioned about at least a portion of the core. The coil is electrically connectable to a property data analysis device. A first magnet and a second magnet are positioned about the coil and positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored. A primary magnetic field is generated by the first and second magnets. When the moving element enters the primary magnetic field a current is induced in the moving element, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in the coil. The voltage signal is amplified by the magnetic core and provides an indication of a property of the moving element.
1. A sensing system for monitoring a property of an electrically conductive moving element of turbomachinery, comprising:
a) a sensing system housing;
b) a magnetic core contained within said sensing system housing;
c) a coil positioned about at least a portion of said core, said coil being electrically connectable to a property data analysis device; and,
d) a first magnet and a second magnet oriented symmetrically with respect to the first magnet, each of said magnets being positioned about said coil and being positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored, wherein a primary magnetic field is generated by said first and second magnets,
wherein when said moving element enters said primary magnetic field a current is induced in said moving element, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in said coil, said voltage signal being amplified by said magnetic core, said voltage signal providing an indication of a property of said moving element.
2. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the position of said moving element relative to said sensing system.
3. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the bending of said moving element.
4. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the twisting of said moving element.
5. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the electrical conductivity of said moving element.
6. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the magnetic permeability of said moving element.
7. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the temperature of said moving element.
8. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the speed of said moving element.
9. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the axial speed of said moving element.
10. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the axial position of said moving element.
11. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the radial speed of said moving element.
12. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the radial position of said moving element.
13. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said property comprises the blade, impeller, or gear oscillation of said moving element.
14. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said moving element is magnetic.
15. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second magnets are radially spaced about said coil.
16. The sensing system of claim 1 , wherein said coil is electrically connectable to the property data analysis device via a first electrically conductive lead and a second electrically conductive lead.
17. A monitoring system for turbomachinery, comprising:
a) a turbomachinery housing for containing at least one electrically conductive moving element; and,
b) a sensing system positioned proximate said moving element for monitoring a property of said electrically conductive moving element, said sensing system, comprising:
i) a sensing system housing;
ii) a magnetic core contained within said sensing system housing;
iii) a coil positioned about at least a portion of said core, said coil being electrically connectable to a property data analysis device; and,
iv) a first magnet and a second magnet, each of said magnets being positioned about said coil and being positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored, a primary magnetic field being generated by said first and second magnets,
wherein when said moving element enters said primary magnetic field a current is induced in said moving element, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in said coil, said voltage signal being amplified by said magnetic core, said voltage signal providing an indication of a property of said moving element; and
c) a data analysis system, comprising:
a data acquisition module for acquiring said voltage signal;
a data processing module for rendering said acquired voltage signal compatible with a desired display, said data processing module providing a processed signal; and,
an algorithm module for converting said processed signal to provide indications of the health status of said moving element.
18. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said turbomachinery housing includes at least one thin walled portion, said sensing system being positioned at said thin walled portion.
19. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said turbomachinery housing includes an opening to accommodate said sensing system.
20. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said turbomachinery housing is formed of non-electrically conductive material.
21. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said at least one moving element comprises a plurality of moving elements said monitoring system further including a data analysis system, comprising:
a) a data acquisition module for acquiring said voltage signal;
b) a data processing module for rendering said acquired voltage signal compatible with a desired display, said data processing module providing processed signals; and,
c) an algorithm module for converting said processed signals to provide indications of the status of said plurality of moving elements, said algorithm module, comprising:
i) a plurality of comparing algorithms for receiving said processed signals and comparing said processed signals with a trend relationship for providing diagnostic and prognostic information; and,
ii) a plurality of diagnostic and prognostic algorithms for receiving said diagnostic and prognostic information and providing logistics instructions.
22. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said thin walled portion is sufficiently thick to provide pressure isolation.
23. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said thin walled portion is sufficiently thick to provide leakage prevention.
24. The monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein said thin walled portion is formed of non-conductive material on the order of 1.0 to 0.010 inches thick.
25. A control system for controlling a property of at least one of a plurality of electrically conductive moving elements of turbomachinery, comprising:
a) a monitoring system for turbomachinery, comprising:
i) a sensing system positioned proximate said at least one of said plurality of electrically conductive moving elements, said sensing system providing an indication of a property of said moving element; and,
ii) a data analysis system for acquiring said indication, providing a processed signal therefrom, and converting said processed signal to provide indications of the status of said moving element, said data analysis system including an algorithm module for providing real-time control signals;
b) a feedback system for receiving said real-time control signals from said algorithm module and providing a plurality of feedback signals; and,
c) a turbomachinery operating controller for receiving said feedback signals and utilizing said feedback signals to adjust the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with said status of said plurality of moving elements to maximize the operating efficiency of said turbomachinery.
26. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said algorithm module further provides inspection and maintenance instructions.
27. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery comprises a turbine and said optimization comprises maximizing the thermodynamic efficiency.
28. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery comprises a turbine and said optimization comprises minimizing blade fracture risk.
29. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery comprises a pump mid said optimization comprises maximizing the hydrodynamic efficiency.
30. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery comprises a gear box and said optimization comprises maximizing the life of the gear box.
31. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery comprises a pump and said optimization comprises minimizing rubbing failures.
32. The control system of claim 25 , wherein the status of each of said plurality of moving elements are monitored separately from the remaining other moving elements.
33. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the position of said moving element.
34. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the bending of said moving element.
35. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the twisting of said moving element.
36. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the electrical conductivity of said moving element.
37. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the magnetic permeability of said moving element.
38. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the temperature of said moving element.
39. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the speed of said moving element.
40. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the axial position of said moving element.
41. The control system of claim 25 , wherein said turbomachinery operating controller adjusts the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with the blade oscillation of said moving element.
42. A method for controlling a property of at least one of a plurality of electrically conductive moving elements of turbomachinery, comprising the steps of:
a) monitoring selected turbomachinery, comprising the steps of:
i) providing an indication of a property of the moving element by utilizing a sensing system positioned proximate said at least one of said plurality of electrically conductive moving elements; and,
ii) acquiring said indication, providing a processed signal therefrom and converting said processed signal to provide indications of the status of the moving element, via a data analysis system, said data analysis system including an algorithm module for providing real-time control signals;
b) receiving said real-time control signals from said algorithm module and providing a plurality of feedback signals, via a feedback system; and,
c) receiving said feedback signals and utilizing said feedback signals to adjust the operation level of said turbomachinery in accordance with said status of said plurality of moving elements to maximize the operating efficiency of said turbomachinery.
43. A monitoring system for turbomachinery, comprising:
a turbomachinery housing for containing a plurality of electrically conductive moving elements; and,
a sensing system positioned proximate said moving element for monitoring a property of said electrically conductive moving elements, said sensing system, comprising:
a sensing system housing;
a magnetic core contained within said sensing system housing;
a coil positioned about at least a portion of said core, said coil being electrically connectable to a property data analysis device; and,
a first magnet and a second magnet, each of said magnets being positioned about said coil and being positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored, a primary magnetic field being generated by said first and second magnets, wherein when said moving elements enter said primary magnetic field a current is induced in said moving elements, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in said coil, said voltage signal being amplified by said magnetic core, said voltage signal providing an indication of a property of said moving elements; and
a data analysis system, comprising:
a data acquisition module for acquiring said voltage signal;
a data processing module for rendering said acquired voltage signal compatible with a desired display, said data processing module providing processed signals; and,
an algorithm module for converting said processed signals to provide indications of the status of said plurality of moving elements, said algorithm module, comprising:
a plurality of comparing algorithms for receiving said processed signals and comparing said processed signals with a trend relationship for providing diagnostic and prognostic information; and,
a plurality of diagnostic and prognostic algorithms for receiving said diagnostic and prognostic information and providing logistics instructions.
44. The monitoring system of claim 43 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are oriented symmetrically with respect each other, and wherein the first and second magnets define a gap there between in which the primary magnetic field is generated by said first and second magnets.