Predictive maintenance method for a cooled detection module, and related module
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a predictive maintenance method for a cooled detection module, comprising: a detector ( 1 ) comprising a matrix consisting of pixels that are sensitive to light signals; a cryostat ( 2 ) containing the detector ( 1 ); and a cooling machine ( 3 ), said method being characterized in that it comprises a step according to which a processing board ( 4 ) of the module, which is electrically connected to the detector ( 1 ), to the cryostat ( 2 ), and to the cooling machine ( 3 ) measures, stores, and processes at least: one motor current, i.e. a supply current of the machine ( 3 ); one motor voltage, i.e. a supply voltage of the machine ( 3 ); and a number of defective pixels of the detector ( 1 ). The invention further relates to a module for implementing the invention.
1. Predictive maintenance method for a cooled detection module, comprising:
a detector comprising pixels that are sensitive to light signals;
a cryostat, containing the detector; and
a cooling machine,
the method comprising a step whereby a processing board of the module, which is electrically connected to the detector, to the cryostat and to the cooling machine, measures, stores and processes at least
one motor current, including a machine supply current;
one motor voltage, including a machine supply voltage; and
a number of defective pixels of the detector;
wherein the method comprises using said motor current, said motor voltage and said number of defective pixels of the detector for determining a fault in the cooled detection module and informing a user of said fault in said cooled detection module if so determined, and
wherein the board is for measuring, storing and processing at least
a number NMM of start-ups of the module, including a quantification of module starts; and
a number CCR of mode changes, including transitions of the module from a cooling mode to a regulation mode, and
an operating time Tps of the module, including the total time in regulation mode and/or in cooling mode of the module, from commissioning.
2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the board ( 4 ) is further suitable for
measuring, storing and processing at least one mode change time, i.e. a time separating a module start time from a time when the machine ( 3 ) switches to a detector ( 1 ) temperature regulation mode; and
performing a step for comparing the mode change time MCT to a threshold S MeF , and declaring the module defective when the following condition is true:
MCT>S MeF.
3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the board performs a step for comparing
a) a mean motor current Imot_mean to a threshold Imot_min, and declares the module defective when the following condition is true:
Imot_mean<Imot_min, and
b) a mean motor voltage Vmot_mean to a threshold Vmot_max, and declares the module defective when the following condition is true:
Vmot_mean>Vmot_max, and
c) a number Ppix_def of defective pixels of the module to a maximum tolerated number Ppix_def_max, and declares the module defective when the following condition is true:
Ppix_def>Ppix_def_max.
4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the board calculates a type of use of the module by means of the formula:
TU
=
x
·
Tps
y
·
CCR
+
z
·
NMM
where x, y and z are parameters stored on the board.
5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the board ( 1 ) calculates
the rate of increase, as a function of time, of the motor current and motor voltage, and
a future fault of the module as a function of NMM, CCR and/or Tps.
6. Method according to claim 1 , the measurements are made regularly and in real-time by the board.
7. Cooled detection module, comprising:
a detector comprising pixels that are sensitive to light signals;
a cryostat, containing the detector; and
a cooling machine,
the module further comprising a processing board, which is electrically connected to the detector, to the cryostat and to the cooling machine, measures, stores and processes at least
one motor current, including a machine supply current;
one motor voltage, including a machine supply voltage; and
a number of defective pixels of the detector
wherein the processing board is configured to use said motor current, said motor voltage and said number of defective pixels of the detector for determining a fault in the cooled detection module and informing a user of said fault in said cooled detection module if so determined, and
wherein the board is configured to measure, store and process at least
a number NMM of start-ups of the module, including a quantification of module starts; and
a number CCR of mode changes, including transitions of the module from a cooling mode to a regulation mode, and
an operating time Tps of the module, including the total time in regulation mode and/or in cooling mode of the module, from commissioning.
8. Module according to claim 7 , comprising a predictive maintenance display, connected to the board.
9. Module according to any of claim 7 or 8 , acting as an IR module, with an IR type detector.