860results about "Provision for safeguarding apparatus" patented technology

A wireless process device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system comprising includes a power source configured to power the process device. Diagnostic circuitry is configured to diagnose operation of process device and provides a diagnostic output. Wireless communication circuitry transmits information over a wireless communication link.

A method for predicting a time to failure of a component in a system is presented. The method comprises obtaining a set of data measurements related to the component. The set of data measurements are representative of a plurality of parameters including a plurality of leading parameters. The method comprises generating a prediction model based upon the leading parameters considered in combination. The prediction model is then used to predict the time to failure of the component based on a set of real-time measurements, wherein the plurality of parameters are processed to predict the time to failure for the component. Finally, a confidence level for the predicted time to failure is determined based upon the plurality of parameters.

The invention relates to an automatic fault diagnostic procedure for machines, such as steam, gas and hydro-turbines, generators, pumps, electrical motors, etc. For each of a plurality of components, for each of a number of possible faults, a total fault symptom strength value is calculated from measured data. If the value is above a predetermined value, the fault symptom strength is plotted and fitted to a trend line to determine an estimate of when the fault symptom strength will exceed a predetermined value. Output messages are then selected based on the fit.

An environmental control system, or data pack, is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The system allows for audio and video recording on hard drive media in situations where temperature, vibration and humidity would otherwise have prevented the use of such technology. The system can be used in conjunction with an event recorder for use in motor vehicles, trains and the like. The environmental control system includes a thermoelectric module connected to the hard drive and to a housing. The thermoelectric module is for transferring heat between the hard drive and the housing in response to an applied voltage in order to maintain a hard drive temperature within a hard drive operable temperature range. The vehicle operating temperature range includes temperatures outside the hard drive operable temperature range.

The invention relates to an automatic fault diagnostic procedure for machines, such as steam, gas and hydro-turbines, generators, pumps, electrical motors, etc. For each of a plurality of components, for each of a number of possible faults, a total fault symptom strength value is calculated from measured data. If the value is above a predetermined value, the fault symptom strength is plotted and fitted to a trend line to determine an estimate of when the fault symptom strength will exceed a predetermined value. Output messages are then selected based on the fit.

An improved system and method for producing replacement sensor signals for failed sensors, and inferred sensor signals for non-instrumented physical parameters, in processes and equipment having one or more sensors in place for monitoring physical parameters. A data history from a fully-instrumented prototype provides a representative data set of anticipated operating parameters for forming an empirical model in a computer module for generating “virtual” signals for a process or machine in real-time. Replacement or inferential sensor signals can be advantageously used in downstream control processing or analysis. A memory for storing the representative training set, or a transformation thereof, is coupled to a processor. The processor receives from an input data signals embodying real values from sensors actually on the process or machine, and may receive these in real-time. The processor is disposed to take a set of readings of the actual sensors from the input, mid generate an estimate of one or more desired inferred sensors, using a linear combination of the representative training set sensor data, as weighted by the result of a measure of similarity of the input sensor data to the representative training set sensor data.

An electric power meter (102) includes a temperature sensor (114) and a controller (112). The controller (112) is operable, based on the temperature reported from the temperature sensor (114), to generate alarm(s) when the temperature exceeds certain alarm threshold(s) (307, 507, 508) and to activate a power disconnect switch (104), thereby shutting off power to a customer premises, when the temperature exceeds a shut off threshold (309, 509). The controller (112) is operable to activate the power disconnect switch (104) for non-payment of electricity cost, subject to secondary criteria based on regulatory requirements. A customer terminal (103) may be used to notify a customer of an alarm condition, to provide information regarding electrical power usage or to provide information regarding disconnection of electrical power.

A sensor system (20) includes transducers (32, 34) each yielding an analog signal (37, 39) representing a parameter independently sensed by each of the transducers (32, 34). The signals (37, 39) are summed and the resulting transducer signal (46) is converted to a digital transducer signal (26) by a high resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (48). Concurrently, one of the signals (37, 39) is subtracted from the other. The resulting difference signal (56) is converted to a digital difference signal (60) by a low resolution ADC (58). When the digital difference signal (60) is within a threshold window (78), a fault signal (28) indicates a normal condition (80) of the transducers (32, 34). When the signal (60) falls outside of the threshold window (78), a fault signal (28) indicates a fault condition (82) of the transducers. The transducer and fault signals (26, 28) are concurrently output from the sensor system (20).

A transducer protector having at least two filter membranes. In one embodiment, the transducer protector includes a body between two tubular connectors, each of which has a lumen that may be axially aligned. The body lumen is separated from the lumen of each of the tubular connectors by a filter membrane. In one embodiment, the body is transparent and the body lumen has an indicator to alert a user that the filter membrane has been breached by a contaminant so that the user can take immediate steps to prevent further contamination of the system. The configuration of the transducer protector also facilitates the use of separate indicator devices, such as sensor clips.

A computer implemented process is provided for assessing and characterizing the degree of success or failure of an operational event of a machine system such as a fluid compressor machine or turbine machine or the like on a continuous numerical scale. The computer implemented process develops and tracks machine unit signatures, machine site signatures and machine fleet signatures to evaluate various operational events and provide fault detection. At least some sensor data acquired from the machine system during an operational event is transformed to correct or at least reduce variabilities in the data caused by ambient conditions and fuel quality. The transformed data is then analyzed using statistical methods to determine how closely the operational event conforms to an expected normal behavior and the information is used to develop a single comprehensive quality assessment of the event. By saving, tracking and updating operational event assessments over time, machine / component degradation may be recognized at any early stage and corrective action may be initiated in advance of a catastrophic failure.

An integral electronic revenue meter system diagnostics package including a microprocessor, storage memory, preselect series of system diagnostic tests, and recording any results which exceed predefined programmable thresholds, and display means for displaying error and / or diagnostic messages identifying selected diagnostic data and / or errors discovered in the meter tests during a predefined period is included as part of an electricity revenue meter of the type used for collecting metering data for a utility which uses such data for billing purposes. The system automatically senses the type of electrical service in which the revenue meter is installed when the revenue meter is installed in a socket at the customer's premises.

A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network.