Power generation unit condition monitor using frequency profile analysis

1. A method for frequency profile analysis condition monitoring of a power generating unit, comprising:

placing a receiver near a frequency-generating component of the power generating unit, the frequency-generating component designed to be stationary during operation of the power generating unit and producing a frequency profile due to an abnormal movement of the frequency-generating component;

receiving by the receiver the frequency profile;

transmitting the received frequency profile to a frequency profile analyzer;

comparing the transmitted frequency profile to a frequency sample stored in a database accessible by the analyzer; and

activating an alarm if the comparison indicates a fault for the frequency-generating component,

wherein the frequency sample is an abnormal frequency profile, and

wherein the database includes a first component identifier associated with a first frequency sample and a second component identifier associated with a second frequency sample, wherein the comparison only compares the transmitted frequency profile with a frequency sample associated to the frequency-generating component by using the component identifier.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency-generating component is selected from the group consisting of baffle, stator end winding, stator, and gas seal.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is securely mounted inside the power generating unit near the frequency-generating component and is adapted to withstand an environment inside the power generating unit.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is placed on or near a frame of the power generating unit near the frequency-generating component.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is adapted to frequently or continuously receive the frequency profile.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the received frequency profile is sent directly or indirectly to the frequency profile analyzer.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the received frequency profile is sent to the frequency profile analyzer in either an analog or a digital format.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted frequency pro file and/or frequency sample is mathematically transformed.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is selected from the group consisting of a visual alarm, audible alarm, computer signal, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency sample is associated with an alarm level selected from the groups consisting of minor major and critical.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein an alarm action is based on the alarm level.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein an alarm action is based on a fault type.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component or the power generating unit is automatically shut down in response to the comparison indicating the fault.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency sample is associated with a with a tolerance range, which is used in the comparison to determine the fault.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power generating unit is a generator having a rotor and a stator that surrounds and sleeves the rotor.

16. A method for a generator frequency profile analysis condition monitoring, comprising:

providing the generator having:

a rotor,

a stator that surrounds and sleeves the rotor, and

a stationary-frequency-generating component that produces a frequency profile due to an abnormal movement by the frequency-generating component;

placing a receiver near the component;

receiving the frequency profile by the receiver;

transmitting the received frequency profile to a frequency profile analyzer;

comparing the transmitted frequency profile to a frequency sample stored in a database accessible by the analyzer; and

activating an alarm if the comparison indicates a fault for the component,

wherein the database includes a first component identifier associated with a first frequency sample and a second component identifier associated with a second frequency sample, wherein the comparison only compares the transmitted frequency profile with a frequency sample associated to the frequency-generating component by using the component identifier.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the frequency sample is an abnormal frequency profile.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the frequency profile analyzer is in a building separate from where the generator is housed.