WO2011140016A1

WO2011140016A1 - Computer system and program product for balancing rotating machines

Info

Publication number: WO2011140016A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/034895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Jolly; Jonathan Owens; Scott Miller
Original assignee: Lord Corporation
Priority date: 2010-05-03
Filing date: 2011-05-03
Publication date: 2011-11-10

Abstract

Method/system to control a rotating assembly balance control system with at least a first imbalance mass concentration for a rotating assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis. The method includes positioning the imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balance rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the imbalance. The method includes monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and outputting a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

Description

COMPUTER SYSTEM AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR BALANCING

ROTATING MACHINES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/330,618, filed May 03, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of computer program methods/systems for controlling rotating machines, particularly for electronically controlling vibrations in rotating machine systems with imbalance rotors to inhibit vibrations. More particularly the invention relates to computer programs and control software for monitoring and controlling the performance characteristics of a rotating machine assembly, particularly computer program methods and control systems for controlling problematic rotating machine vibrations and performance conditions.

Background of the Invention

Rotating machine vibrations are particularly troublesome in that they can cause fatigue and wear on the rotating machine and equipment that is associated, attached or connected with the rotating machine.

There is a need for a computer program system and computer instruction execution method of accurately and economically controlling rotating machine assembly vibrations and monitoring the health of the rotating machine and associated equipment. There is a need for a method to control imbalance in rotating machinery and to monitor the health and performance of the rotating machine and equipment associated with the rotating machinery. There is a need for a method/system for electronic control of imbalance in rotating machinery that monitors the health condition and performance characteristics of the rotating machine assembly and associated equipment.

Summary of the Invention

In an embodiment the invention includes a computer programmable media containing programmable software to control a rotating assembly balance control system with at least a first imbalance mass concentration for a rotating assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor. The programmable software and system preferably include first program instructions for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. The programmable software and system preferably include second program instructions to monitor at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

In an embodiment the invention includes a rotating assembly balance control system for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, the rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system includes a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system includes a machine health monitoring subsystem for monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

In an embodiment the invention includes an oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system for an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly having a oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis. Preferably the oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system includes at least a first imbalance mass concentration, a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the oil/gas extraction rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly about the oil/gas extraction rotation axis at the oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency. The control system includes an oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem for monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and output a oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed.

In an embodiment the invention includes an oil/gas extraction method. The method includes providing an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly having an oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis. The method includes providing an oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration with a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the oil/gas extraction rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position. The method includes resting the first imbalance mass concentration at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balance rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly about the oil/gas extraction rotation axis at the oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency. Preferably the oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system including an oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem, with the method preferably including monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic with the oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and outputting an oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed.

In an embodiment the invention includes a rotating assembly balance control system for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, the rotating assembly balance control system including a means for balancing the rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance, and a means for monitoring a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem, the rotating assembly balance control system balancing the rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance and outputting a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principals and operation of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a rotating assembly balance control system having at least a first imbalance mass concentration balancing a rotating assembly problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis and monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal for a diagnosed machine health problem.

FIG. 2 illustrates methods/sy stems for balancing rotating assembly problematic machine imbalances and monitoring rotating machinery performance health characteristics.

FIG. 3A-C illustrate methods/systems for balancing rotating assembly problematic machine imbalances. FIG. 4A-B illustrate oil/gas extraction rotating assembly balance control systems for oil/gas extraction and methods of oil/gas extraction.

FIG. 5A-C illustrate methods/systems for balancing rotating assembly problematic imbalances and monitoring rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In an embodiment the invention includes a computer programmable media containing programmable software to control a rotating assembly balance control system with at least a first imbalance mass concentration for a rotating assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor. The programmable software and system preferably include first program instructions for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. The programmable software and system preferably include second program instructions to monitor at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and the first program instructions include positioning the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system includes first rotor control instructions to angularly move the first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then rest at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and second rotor control instructions to angularly move the second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then rest at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, the balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about the rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with the rotating assembly, preferably with the motor coupled with the rotating assembly driving the rotating assembly to rotate about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a coupling health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with the rotating assembly at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system.

In an embodiment the invention includes a rotating assembly balance control system for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, the rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system includes a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system includes a machine health monitoring subsystem for monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and the positioning subsystem positions the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the positioning subsystem angularly moves the first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and the positioning subsystem angularly moves the second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, the balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about the rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with the rotating assembly. Preferably the motor coupled with the rotating assembly drives the rotating assembly to rotate about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with the rotating assembly at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system.

In embodiments the computer programmable media programmable software controls a rotating assembly balance control system 50 with at least a first imbalance mass concentration 51 ,51 ' for a rotating assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis 48. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration 51 ,51' is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 '. The programmable software and system 50 preferably include first program instructions for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration 51,51' around the rotation axis 48 to a balanced rest angular position 52,52' with the first imbalance mass concentration 51 rested at the balanced rest angular position 52 with the rested first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balance rest angular position 52 providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis 48 at the operational rotation frequency. The programmable software and system 50 preferably include second program instructions to monitor at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' and the first program instructions include positioning the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52' to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 includes first rotor control instructions to angularly move the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 to and then rest at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 and second rotor control instructions to angularly move the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' to and then rest at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52'. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem 53, the balance state health monitoring subsystem 53 monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52 rotating about the rotation axis 48 to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem 53 for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer sensor output signals. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly, preferably with the motor coupled with the rotating assembly driving the rotating assembly to rotate about the rotation axis 48 at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a coupling health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling 56 rotating with the rotating assembly at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the second program instructions for monitoring the at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose the machine health problem and output the machine health problem signal includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system.

In an embodiments the rotating assembly balance control system 50 for the rotating machine assemblies having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about rotation axis 48, the rotating assembly balance control system including at least first imbalance mass concentrations 51,51 '. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 at least first imbalance mass concentration is a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51'. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 includes a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration around the rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position 52 with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position 52 with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balance rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration at the balances rest angular position rotating along with the rotating assembly about the rotation axis 48 at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 includes a machine health monitoring subsystem 53 for monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 ' and the positioning subsystem positions the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52' to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the positioning subsystem angularly moves the first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and the positioning subsystem angularly moves the second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, the balance state health monitoring subsystem 53 monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52 rotating about the rotation axis 48 to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52,52'. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer sensor output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly. Preferably the motor coupled with the rotating assembly drives the rotating assembly to rotate about the rotation axis at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling 56 rotating with the rotating assembly at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system.

The balancers of system 50 in preferred embodiments include a stationary driver with electromagnetic field generators 120 , preferably with electrical windings coils 420, 421. Preferably the balancer driver electromagnetic field generators 120 are in electromagnetic communication with the generally circular rotating balancer bodies mass concentration rotors 51,51 '. The balancer assembly system preferably includes a remote stationary microprocessor based controller 140, operating under stored computer program control and adapted to control the balancer in a manner which is specified by the stored program and certain environmental and measured parameters. The control of the balancer is achieved by selectively activating driver 120 to position rotors 51,51' at their rest positions 52,52'. Preferably driver 120 is adapted to be positioned in a relatively close but non-contacting position to the rotating balancer body and the positioned rotors 51,51' , preferably separated by an air gap 150. Such an air gap, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, should be as small as possible without allowing frictional contact between the rotating balancer body and the stationary driver 120 during machine operation. The electromagnetic field signal emanates from driver 120 and is received by the rotating balancer body. Since the power loss incurred by the electromagnetic signal is directly proportional to the algebraic square of the length of the air gap, the smaller the air gap, the more efficient the active balancer. In embodiments, the driver 120 (electromagnetic field generator 220) comprises a generally circular shaped assembly, concentrically positioned in relation to the rotating balancer body, with a gap 240 between the concentric driver 220 and the rotating balancer body 25. . In embodiments, the driver 120 is a side-mounted driver 120 with a driver coil core 310 and two independent electrical coil windings 320 and 321. The driver core 310 comprises magnetic material and acts to concentrate and enhance electromagnetic field magnetic flux generated when electric current passes through the coil windings 320 and 321. Coil windings 320 and 321, in a preferred embodiment, comprise mutually insulated electrical wire wound in a manner so as to form two substantially independent coils. The direction of current flow is orthogonal to the plane of the paper in the FIG. 5C. When current is passed selectively through these windings, an electromagnetic field is generated which moves rotor assemblies 350 and 351 of the controllable position counter weights 51,51' to accomplish balance compensation. Preferably the rotating balancer body 25 includes the assembled combination of generally circular and substantially similarly shaped pole plates 330, 331, and 332 which are separated by generally circular and mutually similarly shaped non-magnetic and preferably non-electrically conductive spacers 340 and 341. Spacers 340 and 341, in embodiments of the invention, comprise axially symmetric annular aluminum or stainless steel rings of rectangular cross- section. The outer radius of the spacers should be substantially similar to the outer radius of the pole plates 330-332. Situated between, and in non-contacting proximity to the pole plates 330-332, are the controllable position counter weight rotors 350 and 351. The plates 330-332, spacers 340-341, and controllable position counter weight rotors 350-351 with mass concentrations 51,51 ' rotate along with the rotating machine about the axis 48. Preferably spacers 340-341 have mutually similar geometry, and controllable position counter weight rotors 350-351 have mutually similar geometry with the with mass concentrations 51,51 ' . The controllable position counter weight rotor geometry is preferably modified and provided so that each rotor is unbalanced about it's own centerline and axis 48. Driver 120 preferably electromagnetically moves the controllable position counter weight rotors 350-351 with mass concentrations 51,51' (their "heavy spots"), to rotate with respect to the balancer body 25 and the rotating machine shaft 23 in accordance with stored control software and in accordance with certain measured quantities to be position relative to the rotating machine shaft and axis 48 at their rest positions 52,52' where they again rotate along with the shaft 23 about the axis 48. In embodiments the concentric driver 220 with driver core 410 enhances the magnetic field generated when current is passed through either driver coil winding 420 or 421. In a preferred embodiment of the controllable position counter weight rotor 350 with mass 51 is substantially similar in structure and operation to controllable position counter weight rotor 351 with mass 51 ' and pole plate 330 is also substantially similar in structure and operation to pole plates 331 and 332, to provide a combination of controllable position counter weight rotor 350 and pole plates 330 and 331 , and controllable position counter weight rotor 351 and pole plates 331 and 332. Controllable position counter weight rotor 350, in a preferred embodiment, has a substantially circular shape and is made or formed from stainless steel, aluminum, or some other desired and conventional non-magnetic material. Controllable position counter weight rotor 350 has a predetermined diameter and width of desired and selected dimensions. Furthermore, electromagnetically controllable position counter weight rotor 350 possesses a plurality of permanent magnets 360 and 361 which are equally spaced and peripherally mounted in the rotor relative to shaft 23. The permanent magnets 360-361 are mounted such that their magnetic polarity is oriented parallel to the rotating shaft machine axis of rotation and adjacent magnets have reverse polarity.

Electromagnetically controllable position counter weight rotor 350 is suspended between pole plates 330 and 331 by a ball bearing assembly 370 which is effective to allow rotor 350 to move rotationally in relation to plates 330 and 331 and balancer body 25 in response to an applied electromagnetic field. In a preferred embodiment of approximately forty-five substantially similar balls 380 are used in each ball bearing assembly 370 and 371. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the movement of electromagnetically controllable position counter weight rotors 350 and 351 in a selective manner will correct for machine rotating imbalance and hence reduce or eliminate unbalance vibration at the machine rotating frequency. Such electromagnetically controllable position counter weight rotor movement is accomplished preferably by means of controller 140 in cooperation with the drivers (120, 220), ball bearing assembly 370, pole plates 330-331 and permanent magnets 360-361.

In embodiments the system comprehensively manages the health of rotating machinery. The rotating machinery health management system provides significant value in applications for which unscheduled maintenance is extremely costly. The rotating machinery health management system provides significant value in applications in which significant savings can be achieved by extending the period between scheduled maintenance. The rotating machinery health management system provides significant value in applications in which machinery failure results in disastrous consequences. In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes aircraft and space-borne power transmission rotating machinery health management systems. In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes seabed, oil and gas extraction and processing rotating machinery health management systems.

In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes marine power transmission rotating machinery health management systems.

In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes wind turbines rotating machinery health management systems.

In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes power generation rotating machinery health management systems.

In embodiments the rotating machinery health management system includes critical rotating processing machinery found in long term batch and continuous run processing facilities including cement factories, paper mills, and printing operations.

Preferably the balancing systems include one or more balancers (preferably positionable mass rotor assemblies and winding assemblies), one or more accelerometer sensors attached to assembly members such as bearing blocks or other elements in the rotating machine assembly power train, and a control system for controlling the balancer. In preferred embodiments the balancers are an electromagnetic balancer with includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor. In alternative preferred embodiments the balancers are fluid moving balancers with positionable fluid mass. In preferred embodiments the balance masses are arranged in either a single plane or multi-plane configurations. Preferably the balancer control system receives accelerometer sensor outputted signals, assesses the balance condition and sends commands to the balancer(s) that adaptively cancel machinery imbalance by the positioning and resting of imbalance mass concentrations. The balancer control system preferably logs the evolution of correction balance states.

Preferably the balancing systems comprehensively manage the health of rotating machinery, with additional sensors, software, memory and communications hardware. Preferably the additional sensors include more accelerometers. In embodiments the additional sensors include temperature sensors. In embodiments the additional sensors include alignment sensors. In embodiments the additional sensors include torque sensors. In embodiments the additional sensors include oilTlubrication condition monitoring sensors. Preferably the diagnostic software conditions additional sensor data and converts such into health monitored information which is then communicated through a Diagnostic Communication Link. In embodiments the information conveyed on the Diagnostic Communication Link includes at least one rotating machinery performance health characteristic including Balance State, Balance Health Indicator (preferably based on balance trend information for prognostication, as well as monitoring for sudden changes in imbalance), Bearing Health Indicators, Load Health Indicators, Motor Health Indicators, Coupling Health Indicators, and System BIT Status.

Preferably the System Built-in Test (BIT) Status provides for differentiating between rotating machinery health issues and balancer/diagnostic system faults. The Diagnostic Communication Link is preferably a serial communication interface such as CANbus, Ethernet, RS-422, or wireless/satellite. This link preferably interfaces with a centralized control system, a centralized health-and-usage monitoring system, or directly with a PC- based maintenance interface. Preferably the Maintenance Interface indicated in the figure, provides an interface to balancer/diagnostic system for facilitating development, up/downloading software, initiating BIT, setting operating modes, etc. Preferably the system provides comprehensive health management of rotating machinery wherein in it senses, predicts and mitigates health problems. Preferably the system provides comprehensive health management that improves system performance by minimizing synchronous vibration. Preferably the system provides comprehensive health management that extends the period between scheduled maintenance actions. Preferably the system provides comprehensive health management that reduces the occurrence of unscheduled maintenance actions. Preferably the system provides comprehensive health management that prevents catastrophic failures.

In an embodiment the invention includes an oil/gas extraction method 57. The method includes providing an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly 58 having an oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48. The method includes providing an oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system 50 including at least a first imbalance mass concentration 51,5F with a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration 51,51 ' around the oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48 to a balanced rest angular position 52,52'. The method includes resting the first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balanced rest angular position 52 with the rested first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balance rest angular position 52 providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balances rest angular position 52 rotating along with the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly 58 about the oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48 at the oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency. Preferably the oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system 50 including an oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem 53, with the method preferably including monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic with the oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and outputting an oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' and the positioning subsystem positions the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 5 1' at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52' to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the positioning subsystem angularly moves the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 to and then resting the first imbalance mass concentration rotor at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 and the positioning subsystem angularly moving the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' to and then resting the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52'. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem 53, the balance state health monitoring subsystem 53 monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52 rotating about the rotation axis 48 to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly. Preferably the motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly drives the rotating assembly to rotate about the rotation axis 48 at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling 56 rotating with the rotating assembly at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system.

In an embodiment the invention includes an oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system 50 for an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly 58 having a oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48. Preferably the oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system 50 includes at least a first imbalance mass concentration 51, a positioning subsystem for positioning the at least first imbalance mass concentration 51 around the oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48 to a balanced rest angular position 52 with the first imbalance mass concentration rested at the balanced rest angular position 52 with the rested first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balance rest angular position 52 providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with the rested first imbalance mass concentration 51 at the balance rest angular position 52 rotating along with the oil/gas extraction rotating assembly 58 about the oil/gas extraction rotation axis 48 at the oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency. The control system includes an oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem 53 for monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and output a oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed. Preferably the rotating assembly balance control system 50 at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 ' and the positioning subsystem positions the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51' at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52' to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose the rotating assembly problematic imbalance. Preferably the positioning subsystem angularly moves the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 to and then resting the first imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 at the first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52 and the positioning subsystem angularly moving the second imbalance mass concentration rotor 51 ' to and then resting the second imbalance mass concentration rotor at the second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position 52'. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, the balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position 52 rotating about the rotation axis 48 to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly 58. Preferably the motor 54 coupled with the rotating assembly drives the rotating assembly 58 to rotate about the rotation axis 48 at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 53 includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling 56 rotating with the rotating assembly 58 at the operational rotation frequency. Preferably the machine health monitoring subsystem 58 includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in the rotating assembly balance control system. Preferably the oil/gas rotating machine assembly 58 is a rotating machine assembly centerfuge that rotates about a centerfuge rotation axis 48. Preferably the centerfuge seperates oil/gas extraction process materials with a centerfugal force by rotating the oil/extraction materials of different density characteristics about a centerfuge rotation axis 48.

In embodiments the invention includes the rotating assembly balance control system 50 for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis 48. The rotating assembly balance control system 50 including the means for balancing the rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance, and the means for monitoring a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem, the rotating assembly balance control system balancing the rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance and outputting a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is intended that the scope of differing terms or phrases in the claims may be fulfilled by the same or different structure(s) or step(s).

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A computer programmable media containing programmable software to control a rotating assembly balance control system with at least a first imbalance mass concentration for a rotating assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, said computer programmable software including: first program instructions for positioning said at least first imbalance mass concentration around said rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with said first imbalance mass concentration rested at said balanced rest angular position with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter said rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position rotating along with said rotating assembly about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency,

second program instructions to monitor at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

2. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1, said computer programmable software wherein said rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and said first program instructions include positioning said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose said rotating assembly problematic imbalance.

3. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 2, including first rotor control instructions to angularly move said first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then rest at said first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and second rotor control instructions to angularly move said second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then rest at said second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position.

4. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, said balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about said rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure.

5. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position.

6. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals.

7. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

8. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with said rotating assembly.

9. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 8 wherein said motor coupled with said rotating assembly drives said rotating assembly to rotate about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency.

10. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a coupling health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with said rotating assembly at said operational rotation frequency.

11. A computer programmable media as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second program instructions for monitoring said at least first rotating machinery performance health characteristic and to diagnose said machine health problem and output said machine health problem signal includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in said rotating assembly balance control system.

12. A rotating assembly balance control system for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, said rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration,

a positioning subsystem for positioning said at least first imbalance mass concentration around said rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with said first imbalance mass concentration rested at said balanced rest angular position with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter said rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position rotating along with said rotating assembly about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency, a machine health monitoring subsystem for monitoring at least a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem and output a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

13. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and said positioning subsystem positions said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose said rotating assembly problematic imbalance.

14. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 13, said positioning subsystem angularly moving said first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at said first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and said positioning subsystem angularly moving said second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at said second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position.

15. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, said balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about said rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure.

16. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position.

17. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals.

18. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

19. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with said rotating assembly.

20. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said motor coupled with said rotating assembly drives said rotating assembly to rotate about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency.

21. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with said rotating assembly at said operational rotation frequency.

22. A rotating assembly balance control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in said rotating assembly balance control system.

23. An oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system for an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly having a oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis, said oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration, a positioning subsystem for positioning said at least first imbalance mass concentration around said oil/gas extraction rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position with said first imbalance mass concentration rested at said balanced rest angular position with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter said oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position rotating along with said oil/gas extraction rotating assembly about said oil/gas extraction rotation axis at said oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency, a oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem for monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and output a oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and said positioning subsystem positions said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose said rotating assembly problematic imbalance.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, said positioning subsystem angularly moving said first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at said first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and said positioning subsystem angularly moving said second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at said second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position.

26. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, said balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about said rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure.

27. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position.

28. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals.

29. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

30. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with said rotating assembly.

31. A system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said motor coupled with said rotating assembly drives said rotating assembly to rotate about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency.

32. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with said rotating assembly at said operational rotation frequency.

33. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in said rotating assembly balance control system.

34. An oil/gas extraction method , said method including providing an oil/gas extraction rotating machine assembly having a oil/gas extraction problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a oil/gas extraction rotation axis, providing an oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system including at least a first imbalance mass concentration with a positioning subsystem for positioning said at least first imbalance mass concentration around said oil/gas extraction rotation axis to a balanced rest angular position, resting said first imbalance mass concentration at said balanced rest angular position with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balance rest angular position providing a counter acting imbalance mass concentration to counter said oil/gas extraction rotating assembly problematic imbalance, with said rested first imbalance mass concentration at said balances rest angular position rotating along with said oil/gas extraction rotating assembly about said oil/gas extraction rotation axis at said oil/gas extraction operational rotation frequency, said oil/gas extraction process rotating assembly balance control system including an oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem, monitoring at least a first oil/gas extraction rotating machinery performance health characteristic with said oil/gas extraction machine health monitoring subsystem to diagnose an oil/gas extraction machine health problem and outputting an oil/gas extraction machine health problem signal when an oil/gas extraction machine health problem is diagnosed.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein said rotating assembly balance control system at least first imbalance mass concentration includes a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor and said positioning subsystem positions said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at a first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position to provide a second resting imbalance mass concentration vector with the first resting imbalance mass concentration vector and the second resting imbalance mass concentration vector producing a resting net force correction vector to oppose said rotating assembly problematic imbalance.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35, said positioning subsystem angularly moving said first imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said first imbalance mass concentration rotor at said first imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position and said positioning subsystem angularly moving said second imbalance mass concentration rotor to and then resting said second imbalance mass concentration rotor at said second imbalance mass concentration rotor balanced rest angular position.

37. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance state health monitoring subsystem, said balance state health monitoring subsystem monitoring the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position rotating about said rotation axis to diagnose an impending imbalance machine failure.

38. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a balance health indicator diagnoses subsystem for prognosticating a machine health problem from a collection of tracked balance trend information and monitoring a drastic current change in the rested first imbalance mass concentration rest angular position.

39. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a bearing health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a bearing health problem from a plurality of accelerometer output signals.

40. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a load health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a health problem from a plurality of load sensor output signals.

41. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a motor health indicator subsystem for prognosticating a motor health problem of a motor coupled with said rotating assembly.

42. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein said motor coupled with said rotating assembly drives said rotating assembly to rotate about said rotation axis at said operational rotation frequency.

43. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a coupling health indicator system for prognosticating a coupling health problem of a coupling rotating with said rotating assembly at said operational rotation frequency.

44. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said machine health monitoring subsystem includes a rotating assembly balance control system built in test status indicator subsystem for differentiating between a rotating assembly machine problem and a fault in said rotating assembly balance control system.

45. A rotating assembly balance control system for a rotating machine assembly having a problematic imbalance while rotating at an operational rotation frequency about a rotation axis, said rotating assembly balance control system including a means for balancing said rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance, and a means for monitoring a first rotating machinery performance health characteristic to diagnose a machine health problem, said rotating assembly balance control system balancing said rotating machine assembly problematic imbalance and outputting a machine health problem signal when a machine health problem is diagnosed.

46. An apparatus as described in the description.

47. A system as shown in the figures.

48. A method as disclosed herein.