WO2020043220A1

WO2020043220A1 - Equipment for analysing the vibration spectrum in materials

Info

Publication number: WO2020043220A1
Application number: PCT/CO2019/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonardo RODRÍGUEZ URREGO; Herberth GRACIA LEÓN
Original assignee: Universidad Ean
Priority date: 2018-08-29
Filing date: 2019-06-07
Publication date: 2020-03-05
Also published as: CO2018009118A1; ES2841122R1; ES2841122B2; ES2841122A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration scanner which includes a stationary base and a cushioned base inside which the object to be analysed is placed. The stationary base allows the use of a dynamic impulse system that strikes the cushioned base, producing a vibration wave and, as a result, a spectrum that is captured by sensors of the accelerometer type. The base is cushioned by springs calculated to have the tension to provide support while also allowing free oscillation. The accelerometers are arranged axially and radially to the cushioned base, making it possible to capture the vibratory signal and acquire same in computer equipment for subsequent processing, classification, storage and comparison.

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE VIBRATION SPECTRUM IN MATERIALS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

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

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

BACKGROUND

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

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

The state of the art comprises different developments that involve the analysis of materials by vibration that refer to specific uses such as patent document EP1324031 A2 entitled "Ground anchorage testing system" and which refers to a method to assess the integrity of anchors to ground, determining the vibratory response of a load impulse emitted to the material to be tested and the generation of electrical signals indicating the response; where said system is used in situ and is specifically designed for anchoring systems that are difficult to access and revise in another way. This development therefore did not solve the problem of being able to determine remotely by means of a portable system, the contents of a box based on a spring vibration system.

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

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

For its part, the document MX2011004811 A entitled “Method and device for vibration analysis and sample database for it and use of a sample database ”refers to a method and apparatus for acoustic emission analysis, and that produces resulting and evaluated vibrations, in which it is subjected to a vibration spectrum at various times or continuously and a multivariable analysis.

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

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

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

The proposed solution has extraordinary advantages over others such as scanners or cameras. In front of the first, the scanners are not portable machines, their price is too high to have one at each parcel delivery and reception center or in the parcel transport vehicle, they are also usually large and can be slow to deliver the results and there are internal elements such as electronic system boards that do not allow an accurate verification. However, it should be made clear that they are the most commonly used systems today and use a non-invasive technique regarding packaging. The camera issue has a big problem and is The invasive technique necessary for the insertion of the camera however small, however, have other drawbacks such as internal visibility, the location of the elements by the internal maneuvering space, the inner packing (plastic, paper, fabric, cardboard , among others) that does not allow to see the real state of the article or articles, some advantages such as possible portability, speed and perhaps low cost. Faced with these two great possibilities of solution, our proposal offers great advantages such as the cost of each device or verification machine, the portability in both shipping and receiving offices and in transport vehicles, the ease of handling by any type of operator with basic instructions, the possibility of printing the spectrum or spectra in the shipment so that the client signs and verifies them at the end of the delivery, the easy calibration according to the size, type or handling of the package and finally the non-invasive technique that It gives the customer peace of mind that their package has not been tampered with or violated.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

In general, and according to figures 1 - 1 1, the methodology of using the prototype to extract the ViSPA Firm of products or elements and compare their similarity is carried out as follows:

1. Locate the product or item to which the ViSPA Signature is to be removed inside the vibrating box or on top of the tray (2). 2. Start the application of the extraction and saving software of the ViSPA Firm.

3. Impact the vibrating box with the percussion system or linear actuator

(4).

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

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times in order to average the results.

6. Verify the n ViSPA signatures and their similarities in the quantitative characterization in frequency.

7. Save the ViSPA signature resulting from the product or item.

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

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

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

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

This product scanner type system based on static vibration analysis is composed of minimum physical and physical characteristics related below. However, for some specific applications the person skilled in the art may make in accordance with the present invention some changes in the base systems such as those that will be seen later. 1. A static base (1) that separates from the damped base (2) using springs (3) to prevent the passage of vibration from the damped base (2) to the static base (1).

2. A buffered base (2) that allows to introduce or place elements or products to be analyzed and that allows the vibration to be transmitted to these products.

3. A system of impact or impulse of vibration generation (4) to the damped base (2) and therefore to the elements introduced therein.

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

In a preferred embodiment, the cushioned base or vibrating box (2) can be manufactured in Coid Rolled steel to meet the effect of vibration transmitter.

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

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

It should also be borne in mind that the inner box (2) must be struck to achieve its vibration, therefore, the outer box (1) has an opening that allows the vibrating box to be blown (4).

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

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

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

EXAMPLES

1. Example 1. Quality control on conveyor belts for verification of the state of food or other products. 2. Example 2. Identification of parcels with respect to internal content. (Previously described)

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

In the future, an identification system of! state of the human body and its parts, this in order to identify problems or possible diseases.

EXAMPLE 1

QA

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

The following explanation of the parts refers to Figure 2:

1. Electrodynamic shaker (static base)

2. Upper tray in Coid Rolled steel (dynamic base) 3. Compression springs (four (4) springs)

4. Linear shaker actuator (pistil that will impact the upper tray)

5. Accelerometer type sensor (Axial)

6. Accelerometer type sensor (Radial)

EXAMPLE 2

Parcel Identification.

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

Explanation parts.

1. Stainless steel metal support box

2. Coled Rolled steel vibrating box

3. Tension springs (four (4) upper springs and four (4) lower springs)

4. Electric linear actuator (impulse impact system)

5. Accelerometer type sensor (Axial)

6. Accelerometer type sensor (Radial) EXAMPLE 3

Container Identification

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

According to Fig. 6 and 7 showing from two angles a container that includes the simplified system of the portable analysis equipment (10) in which the cushioned base or vibrating box will be the same container (1), which will be the object of analysis once lifted by the mobile port crane (not shown).

The system of Figures 8 and 9 that obey the portable impulse system (10) adheres to the container using electromagnets (12). Said portable impulse system (10) will be responsible for producing the vibration and will be coupled to the container (2) when it is hoisted, seconded by two sensor systems, one exactly on the opposite side of the container (axial direction) (14) and another on any of the other available sides of the container (radial direction) (13). The system will receive the signal to enable the linear pulse actuator (4) by radiofrequency and the sensing system (13, 14) will also send the spectrum information also by radiofrequency. This prototype has an industrial use applied to the transport sector and in this case specific to the analysis of the internal contents of the containers.

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

Explanation of the parties

Portable impulse system, parts explanation.

4. Electric linear actuator (impulse impact system) 8. Electric linear actuator (pistil that will impact the container)

10. Flat plate

12. Electromagnets (four clamping electromagnets)

20. Radio frequency reception system for control of the electric linear actuator

21. Electromagnets power control system and electric linear actuator

Figures 10 and 11 detail for their part the portable sensorization system (13, 14) comprising on a flat base with two clamping electromagnets (12), a system for sending spectrum, control and monitoring by radiofrequency (23) and a sensorization system based on two sensors of the accelerometer type (5).

Explanation of the parties

23. Radio frequency spectrum delivery system

5. Accelerometer type sensor

13, 14. Flat plate

12. Electromagnets (two clamping electromagnets)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1. Process flow diagram to generate the signature product analysis.

Figure 2. Equipment or system of the invention for material quality analysis. Figure 3. Vibrating internal box for parcel identification.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 10. Portable system sensor system, front view.

Figure 11. Portable system sensor system, rear view

Claims

1 A vibration device or scanner comprising a damped base or vibrating box which will allow the use of a dynamic impulse system that will impact it producing a vibration wave and as a result a spectrum that will be captured by accelerometer sensors.

2 The vibration equipment or scanner of claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a static base.

The equipment or vibration scanner of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the damped base or vibrating box comprises springs that allow free oscillation.

The equipment or vibration scanner of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the damped base or vibrating box consists of the container once it is hoisted by a mobile crane.

The equipment or vibration scanner of claim 4 characterized in that the static base comprises the mobile port crane.

The vibration equipment or scanner of any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the vibration is picked up by accelerometer sensors axially and radially located at the dampened base allowing the vibration signal to be captured.

The equipment or vibration scanner of any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the vibratory signal is received in a computer for further processing, to be classified, stored and compared.

8 Method of analysis of an element comprising: to. Locate the product or item to be analyzed within the vibrating box or on the cushioned base of the equipment or scanner of one of claims 1-7. B. Start the application of the extraction and saving software of the resulting signal or code. c. Impact the vibrating box or damped base with the percussion system or linear actuator. d. Capture the vibration signal using vibration sensors or accelerometers. and. Verify and compare the resulting signals or codes. F. Save the resulting signature of the product or item.

Method of analysis of an element according to claim 8 which further comprises g. Compare the saved signature against the signature database and identify the one with the greatest similarity. h. Visually inform which product or products are similar, equal or similar according to the application.