ES2841122B2 - EQUIPMENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE VIBRATION SPECTRUM IN MATERIALS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

EQUIPMENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE VIBRATION SPECTRUM IN MATERIALS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays there are different methods worldwide that allow you to scan the contents of a package without opening it. A classic example is an airport scanner that allows you to scan the contents of a suitcase. However, the identification of these scanners by their technology is done by images, shapes and colors and not really by the material found inside, which limits their use. Currently, it is impossible to differentiate between water or ethyl alcohol in a container and that can be very dangerous, which is why regulations with liquids and other elements must be strong to avoid an airplane accident. In addition to this, the prices associated with these technologies are high, their machinery robust and not very flexible regarding its management. The same thing happens with other types of scanners, whether x-ray lasers or ultrasound, such as the one used in some technical inspections or in pregnant women.

For all of the above, some industries have sought by all means to know what is inside a package, whether large or small, without having to open it, with more precision and with cheaper, less robust and more flexible technologies. The above was the first link in the idea that triggered the design and construction of the first prototype created for the analysis of vibrations in static systems of the present invention.

In this way, the present invention refers to the scanning of products, systems or containers in a faster, non-invasive, economical and robust way using the analysis of vibrations inherent to the materials to be able to perform a classification or scanning by material as opposed to detecting image, color or contour as other types of scanners do.

The present invention therefore relates to a vibration scanner that includes a static base and a damped base or vibrating box inside which the object to be analyzed will be placed. The damped base or vibrating box will allow the use of a dynamic impulse system that will impact the damped base or vibrating box, producing a vibration wave and, as a result, a spectrum that will be captured by accelerometer-type sensors. The base is cushioned or vibrating box thanks to springs calculated under tension to provide support, but at the same time allow free oscillation. The vibrating signals are captured through accelerometers located axially and radially to the damped base or vibrating box, which allow the signal to be acquired in a computer equipment for subsequent processing, classification, storage and comparison.

The present invention turns out to be a novel and practical source of information that is fed back within the new field of application of vibration analysis, which is currently found within uses in dynamic or moving systems, mainly in the diagnosis and monitoring of failures in rotating systems, machines, motors, generators, etc. The invention aims to get rid of these areas, in order to carry out a static analysis of any type of element, taking advantage of the vibration and specific natural frequency generated by each material in nature regardless of its solid, liquid or even gaseous state.

BACKGROUND

The present invention arose from the problem raised in the European Offshore Wind Turbine Project (Offshore Wind Turbine) with the Acciona Energía Company, who studied vibration analyzes in order to carry out predictive maintenance on the wind turbines and a platform. monitoring of their status called "Condition monitoring" in English. Said vibration analysis revealed certain conditions of the moving elements or whose dynamic behavior presented differences according to: bearings, axles, multiplier, casings and others.

In this way, it is possible to identify that the vibration produced by any rotating element and the different amplitude peaks that appear at some specific frequencies of the analyzed spectra, represent the state or condition of the rotating element; and according to the mechanical analysis. In accordance with the above, specific frequencies of the state of the elements have been determined, such as, for example, a defect in a ball of a bearing, or the misalignment of an axle.

The state of the art includes different developments that involve the analysis of materials by vibration that refer to specific uses such as the patent document EP1324031A2 entitled "Ground anchorage testing system" which refers to a method to evaluate the integrity of ground anchors. , determining the vibration response of a load pulse emitted to the material to be tested and the generation of electrical signals that indicate the response; where said system is used in situ and is specifically designed for anchoring systems that are otherwise difficult to access and check; This development therefore did not solve the problem of being able to remotely determine, through a portable system, the contents of a box based on a spring-based vibration system.

On the other hand, the patent document GB1082934A entitled "Apparatus for defect analysis and classification of workpieces" which refers to an apparatus comprising a detector unit that includes a known type of defect sensor that operates according to the principle of eddy currents that It has a search coil that is connected and determines the frequency of an oscillator, the output of which is amplified and a rectified voltage is fed back through a level control and filter that maintains the amplitude of the oscillation constant.

Said previous system offered the possibility of obtaining a spectrum of the state of construction parts analyzed together with a reference material through its vibration spectrum, but it does not constitute a system that allows the identification of different patterns according to the box and the construction system. mechanical vibration required.

For its part, document MX2011004811A entitled "Method and device for vibration analysis and sample database therefor and use of a sample database" refers to a method and apparatus for acoustic emission analysis, and which produces resulting and evaluated vibrations, in which it is subjected to a vibration spectrum at various times or continuously and a multivariate analysis.

Despite having a similar conceptual basis, such developments present systems of great complexity and little versatility to be applicable in different uses such as in the determination of patterns that indicate the components or types of materials present in a closed container.

Such an engineering problem was addressed by the inventors of the present development when faced with the arrival of Chinese immigrants in containers coming from that country and the impossibility of opening all the containers at the time they arrived on ships due to their large volume. The port and its engineering department thought about solutions such as artificial vision, however, this involved opening each container which made it unfeasible. The use of large scanners, such as those used in airports, is equally unfeasible due to logistics, location and cost issues.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the inventors proposed carrying out a vibration analysis using portable equipment for securing containers and the use of boom-type cranes as an oscillating element and a system that will hit the container to produce vibration. as well as the identification of patterns of the internal components of the container.

The proposed solution has extraordinary advantages over others such as scanners or cameras. Regarding the first, scanners are not portable machines, their price is too high to have one in each parcel shipping and receiving center or in the parcel transport vehicle, in addition they are normally large in size and can be slow when delivering. the results and there are internal elements such as electronic system boards that do not allow a precise verification to be carried out. However, it must be made clear that they are the most used systems currently and use a non-invasive technique regarding packaging. The issue of cameras has a big problem and it is the invasive technique necessary for the insertion of the camera, no matter how small it may be, however, they have other drawbacks such as internal visibility, the location of the elements through the internal maneuvering space, the inner packaging (plastic, paper, fabric, cardboard, among others) that does not allow the real state of the item or items to be seen, some advantages such as possible portability, speed and perhaps low cost. Faced with these two great solution possibilities, our proposal offers great advantages such as the cost of each device or verification machine, portability both in shipping and receiving offices and in transport vehicles, ease of handling by any type of operator with basic instructions, the possibility of printing the spectrum or spectra in the shipment for the customer to sign and verify at the end of the delivery, the easy calibration according to the size, type or handling of the package and finally the non-invasive technique that It gives the customer peace of mind that their package has not been tampered with or tampered with.

For all of the above, since 2016 the inventors have been working at the EAN University developing a prototype of this vibration system with the support of Colciencias, obtaining positive results and carrying out in a surprising way the classification of different types of materials in their vibration spectrum for pattern identification as described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 identifies the methodology for extracting the vibration spectrum analysis signature, called by the inventors as “ViSPA Signature” (Vibration Spectrum Analysis) of any element to be analyzed.

In general terms, and according to Figures 1 - 11, the methodology for using the prototype to extract the ViSPA Signature of products or elements and compare their similarity is carried out as follows:

1. Place the product or element from which you want to extract the ViSPA Signature inside the vibrating box or on top of the tray (2).

2. Start the ViSPA Signature extraction and saving software application.

3. Start signature capture cycle 3 times with the question: Is the VISPA signature captured n=3?

3.1. Impact the vibrating box with the percussion system or electric linear actuator or piston (4a).

3.2. Capture the vibration signal in the software using the vibration sensors or accelerometers (5 and 6).

3.3. Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times in order to average the results. 4. Verify the n ViSPA signatures and their similarities in the quantitative characterization in frequency.

5. Save the resulting ViSPA signature of the product or element.

The methodology for the process of verifying a specific product through its ViSPA signature is carried out according to the following steps:

1. Perform steps 1 to 4 of the signature extraction procedure.

2. Compare the saved ViSPA signature against the ViSPA signature database and identify the one with the greatest similarity.

3. Visually inform which product or products are similar, the same or similar according to the application.

This product scanner type system based on static vibration analysis is made up of the minimum physical-mechanical characteristics listed below. However, for some specific applications, those skilled in the art will be able to make some changes in the base systems in accordance with the present invention, such as those that will be seen later.

1. A static base (1) that is separated from the damped base or vibrating box (2) using springs (3) to prevent the passage of vibration from the damped base or vibrating box (2) to the static base (1) .

2. A cushioned base or vibrating box (2) that allows the introduction or placement of elements or products to be analyzed and that allows vibration to be transmitted to these products.

3. An impact or impulse system to generate vibration (4) to the damped base or vibrating box (2) and therefore to the elements introduced therein.

4. A sensorization system based on vibration meters or accelerometers to capture the spectrum of vibration produced (5 and 6).

In a preferred embodiment, the damped base or vibrating box (2) can be manufactured from Cold Rolled steel to fulfill the vibration transmitter effect.

In another particular embodiment of the invention, (figure 2) the prototype consists of a static base (1) and a damped base or vibrating box (2) that allows the transmission of mechanical vibrations to the elements under study by means of an electric linear actuator or pistil (4a) that will impact the upper tray (2) and at the same time allows access to the signals produced by the objects. For this, the base (2) has robust and at the same time flexible fastenings (3) that allow prolonged vibration.

In another more preferred embodiment of the invention there are two boxes as seen in Figure 4 and 5, one (2) contained within the other (1), joined by springs (3) thus achieving a vibration of the vibrating box taking the exterior as a reference system. The internal vibrating box (2) seen in Figure 3 has threaded holes for positioning sensors and extracting information from axial (5) and radial (6) vibrations. The separation between both boxes is given by the springs (3) calculated under tension and with the capacity to transmit the smallest amount of vibration to the static box (1) and store and distribute the vibration in the vibrating box. Likewise, figures 3, 4 and 5 show the location of the front and rear springs (3) and axial (5) and radial (6) accelerometer type sensors.

It should also be taken into account that the vibrating box (2) must be struck to achieve its vibration, therefore, the outer box (1) has an opening that allows the excitation blow to the vibrating box (2).

In another preferred embodiment, the design has a passage for wiring and a distance between boxes that allows the positioning of the sensors, linear impact actuator and cables.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibration equipment or scanner comprises a portable impulse system (10) which adheres to a container using electromagnets (12). Said portable impulse system (10) will be responsible for producing the vibration and will be coupled to the container when it is raised, supported by two sensorization systems (13 and 14). The system will receive the signal to enable the electric linear actuator or piston (4a) by radio frequency and the sensing system (13, 14) will send the spectrum information also by radio frequency. This prototype has an industrial use applied to the transportation sector and in this specific case to the analysis of the internal content of containers.

Below are three examples of product identification carried out within the different applications of the prototype:

EXAMPLES

1.Example 1.Quality control on conveyor belts to verify the status of food or other products.

2.Example 2.Parcel identification regarding internal content. (Previously described)

3.Example 3.Portable identification system adaptable to containers for the identification of internal products.

In the future, a system for identifying the state of the human body and its parts is in the ideation and design phase, in order to identify problems or possible diseases.

EXAMPLE 1

QA

This system according to Figure 2 comprises two bases: a static base and a damped base or vibrating box. The static base (1) used is itself the linear impact actuator. This actuator is called an electrodynamic shaker or static base (1) and produces a vibration frequency that is transferred to an upper Cold Rolled steel tray. In this specific case, the tray is the damped base or dynamic vibrating box (2). This tray is supported by four springs (3). The electrodynamic shaker is activated by an electric linear actuator or piston (4a) that will impact the upper tray with a control system to produce the desired frequency and amplitude. The material placed on the upper tray (2) will receive the entire vibration frequency induced by the shaker and will react by imprinting its corresponding dissipation on the material to be identified at this frequency. This dissipation will be measured with axial (5) and radial (6) accelerometer type sensors and will allow the state of the material to be analyzed to be identified. This prototype has an industrial use of quality control applied largely to the food sector.

The following explanation of the parts refers to Figure 2:

1. Electrodynamic shaker (static base)

2. Upper tray in Cold Rolled steel (dynamic base)

3. Compression springs (four (4) springs)

4a. Shaker linear actuator (pistil that will impact the upper tray)

5. Accelerometer type sensor (Axial)

6. Accelerometer type sensor (Radial)

EXAMPLE 2.

Parcel identification.

This system according to figures 3, 4 and 5 serves to place objects inside the vibrating box (2), the objects cannot exceed the internal size of this box. After being placed, an electric linear actuator or piston (4a) is activated that hits the box, producing vibration on it and transmitting it to the object to be analyzed. The accelerometer sensors (5 and 6) capture and send this signal to a computer to save it and then compare it. This prototype has industrial use in parcel delivery companies.

Parts explanation.

1. Stainless steel metal support box

2. Coled Rolled steel vibrating box

3. Tension springs (four (4) upper springs and four (4) lower springs) 4a. Electric linear actuator or piston (impulse impact system)

5. Accelerometer type sensor (Axial)

6. Accelerometer type sensor (Radial)

EXAMPLE 3.

Identification in Containers

This system presents a clear example of one of the fundamental characteristics of the invention, which is portability.

According to Figure 6 and 7, which show from two angles a container that includes the portable impulse system (10) in which the cushioned base or vibrating box will be the same container (1), which will be the object of analysis once It is lifted by the mobile harbor crane (not shown).

The system of figures 8 and 9, which obeys the portable impulse system (10), adheres to the container using electromagnets (12). Said portable impulse system (10) will be responsible for producing the vibration and will be coupled to the container (2) when it is raised, supported by two sensorization systems, one exactly on the opposite side of the container (axial direction) (14) and another on any of the other available faces of the container (radial direction) (13). The system will receive the signal to enable the electric linear actuator or piston (4a) by radio frequency and the sensing system (13, 14) will send the spectrum information also by radio frequency. This prototype has an industrial use applied to the transportation sector and in this specific case to the analysis of the internal content of containers.

Figures 8, 9 and 9a detail the portable impulse system (10) based on a flat base with four holding electromagnets (12), a control system based on power electronics (21) controlled by radio frequency (20 ) and an electric linear actuator or piston (4a) for the impact or vibration generation impulse system (4).

Explanation of the parts

Portable impulse system, parts explanation.

4a. Electric linear actuator or piston (impulse impact system)

8. Electric linear actuator (piston that will impact the container)

flat plate

12. Electromagnets (four holding electromagnets)

20. Radio frequency reception system to control the electric linear actuator or piston

21. Power control system of electromagnets and electric linear actuator or piston

Figures 10 and 11 detail the portable sensorization system (13, 14) that comprises, on a flat base with two holding electromagnets (12), a spectrum sending, control and monitoring system by radio frequency (23) and a sensorization system based on two accelerometer-type sensors (5).

Explanation of the parts

23. Radio frequency spectrum delivery system

5. Accelerometer type sensor

13, 14. Flat plate

12.Electromagnets (two holding electromagnets)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1. Flow diagram of the process to generate the product analysis signature. Figure 2. Equipment or system of the invention for material quality analysis.

Figure 3. Vibrating internal box for package identification.

Figure 4. Equipment or system of the invention for parcel analysis including the external and internal box.

Figure 5. Equipment or system of the invention for parcel analysis including the external and internal box, front view.

Figure 6. Equipment or system of the invention for container identification.

Figure 7. Equipment or system of the invention for identification of rear view containers.

Figure 8. Portable system of the invention, front view.

Figure 9. Rear view of the portable system of the invention.

Figure 9a. It is a vibration generation impulse system composed of: an electromagnet type actuator, supported on a metal base attached to the vibrating box.

Figure 10. Wearable system sensor system, front view.

Figure 11. Wearable system sensor system, rear view

Claims (6)

1. A vibration scanner comprising: a static component selected from a static base (1) or a static box; a vibrating box (2) supported by multiple springs (3) attached to the static component; where the springs (3) where at least a part of the springs (3) function in compression supporting the vibrating box (2) on the static component; a dynamic impulse system (10) for impact on the vibrating box (2); where the dynamic impulse system (10) has an electric linear actuator (4a) that hits the vibrating box (2), vibration sensors (5, 6) or accelerometers that detect the vibrating signals and send them to a computer computation that executes a static analysis of the spectrum of said vibration signals of a product. 2. The vibration scanner of claim 1 characterized in that the vibrating box (2) is a container lifted by a mobile crane and the static base (1) is an element of the mobile crane, where the dynamic impulse system (10) It adheres by means of electromagnets (12) to said container. 3. The vibration scanner of claim 1 characterized in that the vibration signal is classified, saved and compared by the computing equipment. 4. The vibration scanner of claim 1, wherein a part of the springs (3) operate in compression and another part of the springs (3) operate in tension. 5. Product analysis procedure that includes the steps of: to. locate the product to be analyzed inside the vibrating box (2) of the vibration scanner of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4; b. start the software application to extract and save the resulting signal or code; c. impacting the vibrating box (2) with the dynamic impulse system (10) of the vibration scanner; d. capturing the vibration signal using vibration sensors (5, 6) or accelerometers of the vibration scanner; and. characterize the signatures of vibration spectra of the product to be identified, and feed the database with which the vibration spectra captured in the operation of the vibration scanner will be compared; F. verify and compare the resulting signals or codes; g. generate and save the resulting signature of the product. 6. Procedure for analyzing a product according to claim 5, which further comprises the steps of: h. compare the saved signature against the signature database and identify the one with the greatest similarity; and Yo. visually inform which product or products are similar, the same or similar according to the application.