GB2450223A

GB2450223A - Apparatus for monitoring the performance of at least one machine by using sound profiles

Info

Publication number: GB2450223A
Application number: GB0810140A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter George Milton; Andrew Lee Mepham
Original assignee: RFTraq Ltd
Current assignee: RFTraq Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-11
Filing date: 2008-06-03
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-03
Also published as: GB0810140D0; GB0711272D0; GB2450223B

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for monitoring the performance of at least one machine (3) by using sound profiles, which apparatus (2) comprises: the machine (3); a plurality of radio frequency identification tags (RFID) (4, 6, 8); reader means (21) for reading the radio frequency identification tags; and a monitoring station (14) positioned remote from the machine (3); and the apparatus (2) being such that: (a) the radio frequency identification tags (4, 6, 8) are positioned at different places on the machine (3) for monitoring the performance of different parts of the machine (3); (b) each radio frequency identification tag (4, 6, 8) comprises: at least one sound sensing means (10) for sensing a sound profile of the part being monitored; and transmitter means (12) for wirelessly transmitting the sensed sound profile to the monitoring station (14); and (c) the monitoring station (14) comprises: recording means (16) comprising a recording of an actual correct sound profile for the part being monitored; and comparator means (18) for comparing the transmitted sensed sound profile with the recording of the actual and correct sound profile.

Description

* 2450223

I

APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE OF

AT LEAST ONE MACHINE BY USING SOUND PROFILES

This invention relates to apparatus for monitoring sound profiles and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for monitoring the performance of at least one machine by using sound profiles.

The use of sound has always been used by engineers in order to aid mechanical analysis and fault finding in machines. A well qualified and experienced engineer is able to identify noise, and if the engineer has an extensive knowledge of a specific machine, then the engineer may be able to isolate the likely cause of the noise. The noise may be, for example, bearing noise, drive equipment noise, vibration, operational noise, or machine damage noise.

Many machines are now sound isolated from engineers and Operators for health and safety reasons. Whilst the isolation of the machines prevents the engineers or operators suffering hearing problems, the isolation of the machines makes it more difficult to hear them and the noises that they are making.

The use of sound has also always been used in a wide variety of other areas for determining problems. Thus, for example, for security purposes, a person will listen for noise. In the case of air and water leaks, a person will listen for noise. In the case of an impact, a person will also listen for a noise.

In these instances, a person is required to be present at the area where the noise is taking place. This is often not possible.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for monitoring the performance of at least one machine by using sound profiles, which apparatus comprises: (1) the machine; (2) a plurality of radio frequency identification tags; (3) reader means for reading the radio frequency identification tags; and (4) a monitoring station positioned remote from the machine; * and the apparatus being such that: (a) the radio frequency identification tags are positioned at different places on the machine for monitoring the * performance of different parts of the machine; (b) each radio frequency identification tag comprises: (i) at least one sound sensing means for sensing a sound profile of the part being monitored; and (ii) transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the sensed sound profile to the monitoring station; and (c) the monitoring station comprises: (i) recording means comprising a recording of an actual correct sound profile for the part being monitored; and (ii) comparator means for comparing the transmitted sensed sound profile with the recording of the actual and correct sound profile.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used for diagnostic purposes. More specifically, if a sensed sound profile does not compare correctly with the recording of the actual and correct sound profile, then the apparatus is able to indicate that something is wrong. From the type of noise sensed, it may be possible to effect a remote diagnosis: The apparatus may comprises one or more of the machines as required.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it does not need a line of sight. The apparatus of the present invention may be able to identify the level of noise change of something from a normal condition.

The apparatus of the present invention may alternatively or additionally be able to identify the position of the sound because the reader means is able to indicate the position of each radio frequency identification tag. The apparatus is able to operate by listening for and receiving sound, and then enabling appropriate action to be taken. The apparatus may operate continuously or intermittently. With intermittent operation, the apparatus may take sound samples at predetermined periods.

The radio frequency identification tags may be embedded in the different parts of the machine. Alternatively, fixing means may be employed to fix the radio frequency identification tags to the different parts of the machines.

The reader means may be positioned in the monitoring station. The reader means may be positioned elsewhere if desired, for example on the machine, or apart from the machine but in the same room as the machine.

Usually, the apparatus will be one in which the sound sensing means is a microphone. Other sound sensing means may be employed if desired so that, for example, the sound sensing means may be a diaphragm device operating like an eardrum. The microphone is preferably one which gives stereo sound sensing, whereby sound with directionality is able to be achieved.

The radio frequency identification tags may be very small devices, for example of the size of a hearing aid. Thus such tags, which act as sensors, can easily be provided on the machine in a wide variety of positions that would normally be too small for other types of monitoring devices. In addition, the small size of the tags enables them to be discrete and unobtrusive, If desired, the tags may be embedded in the machine.

The recorded means may be a digital recording means. Alternatively the recorder means may be an analogue recording means.

The comparator means may be such that is causes a response consequent upon the transmitted sensed sound profile differing from the recording of the actual and correct sound profile by a predetermined amount.

The response may be a simple alarm. Alternatively and preferably, the response is a diagnostic response which diagnoses the cause of the transmitted sensed sound profile differing from the recording of the actual and correct sound profile by the predetermined amount. With such a diagnostic response, the comparator means may include software for effecting the diagnostic response. When diagnosing a machine, the sensed sound profile may be used with a knowledge of the machine speed at the time of sensing the sound profile.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows apparatus for monitoring the performance of a machine by using sound profiles; Figure 2 shows the comparison of a sensed sound profile with a pre-recorded actual and correct sound profile; Figure 3 is a top plan view of a device in the form of a tag and comprising sound sensing means and transmitter means; and Figure 4 is a side view of the tag shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown apparatus 2 for monitoring the performance of a machine 3 by using sound profiles. The apparatus 2 comprises three radio frequency identification tags 4, 6, 8. The tags 4, 6, 8 are positioned at different places on the machine 3 for monitoring the performance of the different parts of the machine 3. Each tag 4, 6, 8 includes sound sensing means 10 for sensing a sound profile of a thing to be monitored. Each tag 4, 6, 8 also includes transmitter means 12 for wirelessly transmitting the sensed sound profile to a monitoring station 14.

The apparatus 2 comprises recording means 16 comprising a recording an actual and correct sound profile of the thing to be monitored.

The apparatus 2 also comprises comparator means 18 for comparing the transmitted sound profile from the transmitter means 12 with recording of the actual and correct sound profile in the recording means 16. The transmitted sensed sound profile is received by receiver means 20 of the reader means in the form of a reader 21. The reader 21 is part of the monitoring station 14.

The receiver means 20 can direct the received sensed sound profile to the comparator means 18 where it is able to be compared with the actual and correct sound profile from the recording means 16. The recording means 16, the comparator means 18 and the receiver means 20 are positioned in the monitonng station 14. The monitoring station 14 is positioned remote from the machine 3, for example in another room in a building, in another building in a complex of buildings, or many miles away from the machine 3.

Figure 2 shows at part (a) a recorded actual and correct sound profile for a thing in the form of a machine being monitored. As shown in the actual and correct sound profile, there is a period when the machine has stopped or there is no activity, and then there is a subsequent period when normal activity continues. In part (b) of Figure 2, there is shown the same period when the machine has stopped or there is no activity, for example when a

I

factory is closed, and then there is an abnormal noise level which corresponds to a transmitted sensed sound profile. The machine is then stopped as indicated, due to an alarm being caused by the comparator means comparing the transmitted sensed sound profile with the recording of the actual and correct sound profile, determining that the sensed sound profile was too far from the required recording of the actual and correct sound profile, and stopping the machine.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a device in the form of a radio frequency identification tag 22. The tag 22 has a printed circuit board 24, and a battery 26 for powering electronic components 28 on the printed circuit board 24. The tag 22 also comprises the sound recording means 10 and the transmitter means 12. The transmitter means 12 may be a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals if desired.

The sound sensing means 10 is preferably a stereo microphone. Each tag 22 has its own sound sensing means 10 and transmitter means 12. The tag 22 shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be any one of the tags 4, 6, 8 shown in Figure 1. It will thus be appreciated that with the use of a plurality of tags, the position of the sensed sound can be accurately determined.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, there may be more than one of the machines 3. The machine or machines may be various types of machines as used in industry, for example printing machines, packaging machines, or other types of production machines. The recording means 16 may be a digital recording means or an analogue recording means. The recording means used in the apparatus of the invention will normally comprise an appropriate memory means. The comparator means 18 may be effective to cause a simple alarm, or to stop a machine or machines as indicated in Figure 2, or to effect a diagnosis.

Where the comparator means 18 effects a diagnosis, then the comparator means may include appropriate software for effecting the diagnostic response.

Claims

Apparatus for monitoring the performance of at least one machine by using sound profiles, which apparatus comprises: (1) the machine; (2) a plurality of radio frequency identification tags; (3) reader means for reading the radio frequency identification tags; and (4) a monitoring station positioned remote from the machine; and the apparatus being such that: (a) the radio frequency identification tags are positioned at different places on the machine for monitoring the performance of different parts of the machine; (b) each radio frequency identification tag comprises: (i) at least one sound sensing means for sensing a sound profile of the part being monitored; and (ii) transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the sensed sound profile to the monitoring station; and (C) the monitoring station comprises: (I) recording means comprising a recording of an actual correct sound profile for the part being monitored; and (ii) comparator means for comparing the transmitted sensed sound profile with the recording of the actual and correct sound profile.
2. Apparatus according to claim I in which the radio frequency identification tags are embedded in the different parts of the machine.
3. Apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 in which the reader means is positioned in the monitoring station.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sound sensing means is a microphone.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the recording means is a digital recording means.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -4 in which the recording means is an analogue recording means.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the comparator means is such that it causes a response consequent upon the transmitted sensed sound profile differing from the pre-recorded actual and correct sound profile by a predetermined amount.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the response is a simple alarm.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the response is a diagnostic response which diagnoses the cause of the transmitted sensed sound profile differing from the recording of the actual and correct sound profile by the predetermined amount.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the comparator means includes software for effecting the diagnostic response.
11. Apparatus for monitoring the performance of at least one machine by using sound profiles substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.