U.S. patent application number 13/813549 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for method for monitoring drive components in a large hydraulic excavator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas Deimel, Frank Tegtmeier. Invention is credited to Thomas Deimel, Frank Tegtmeier.
Application Number | 20130211665 13/813549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44630592 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130211665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deimel; Thomas ; et
al. |
August 15, 2013 |
METHOD FOR MONITORING DRIVE COMPONENTS IN A LARGE HYDRAULIC
EXCAVATOR
Abstract
A method for continuously and simultaneously monitoring a
plurality of operatively connected mechanical and/or hydraulic
drive components provided in at least one drive train in a large
hydraulic excavator by virtue of a vibration sensor being
positioned in the region of just a single one of the operatively
connected drive components, the vibration sensor being connected by
a line to an evaluation unit which contains prescribable
conspicuousness patterns for all the operatively connected drive
components, and the collective measurement signal from all the
operatively connected drive components being aligned in conditioned
form, as an input frequency, with a limit value--associated with
the respective individual drive component--from the conspicuousness
pattern.
Inventors: |
Deimel; Thomas; (Mulheim,
DE) ; Tegtmeier; Frank; (Velbert, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deimel; Thomas
Tegtmeier; Frank |
Mulheim
Velbert |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Global Mining HMS
GmbH
|
Family ID: |
44630592 |
Appl. No.: |
13/813549 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/003815 |
371 Date: |
March 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/33.4 ;
701/33.9; 701/34.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 13/028 20130101;
E02F 9/26 20130101; G01H 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/33.4 ;
701/33.9; 701/34.1 |
International
Class: |
E02F 9/26 20060101
E02F009/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 033 344.1 |
Claims
1. A method for continuously and simultaneously monitoring a number
of mechanical and/or hydraulic drive components provided in at
least one drive train of a large hydraulic excavator and in
operative connection with one another, comprising: a vibration
pickup is positioned in the area of just a single one of the drive
components in operative connection with one another; wherein the
vibration pickup is connected via a line to an evaluation unit,
which contains predeterminable peculiarity patterns of all the
drive components in operative connection with one another and
transmits a common measuring signal of all the drive components in
operative connection with one another in a prepared form as an
input frequency with a limit value from the peculiarity pattern
that belongs to the respective individual drive component.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peculiarity
pattern for the respective drive component is stored within the
evaluation unit as a limit value that is dependent on the
rotational speed of the engine or motor.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibration pickup
is secured to the housing of the drive component.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is
coupled to an electronic evaluation system, in which further
machine-relevant operating parameters are stored.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the evaluation unit is
formed as a component part of the electronic monitoring of the
large hydraulic excavator.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the data prepared by
the evaluation unit located in the large hydraulic excavator are
made available wirelessly to an external location.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the respective
limit value of the drive components in operative connection with
one another and their exceeding of a limit value are displayed at
least on an optical display provided in the driver's cab of the
large hydraulic excavator.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, when the data exceed
a limit value, an optical and/or acoustic signal is triggered.
9. A device for continuously and simultaneously monitoring a number
of drive components in operative connection with one another in at
least one drive train of a large hydraulic excavator with a service
weight in excess of 100 t, comprising: a vibration pickup which is
fixedly connected to the housing of a single one of the drive
components in operative connection with one another and is
connected via a line to an evaluation unit provided in the area of
the large hydraulic excavator.
10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the evaluation unit
is in operative connection with an electronic evaluation system,
within which further machine-relevant data can be stored and can be
correlated with the data from the evaluation unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to
international patent application number PCT/EP2011/003815, having a
filing date of Jul. 29, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority
to German patent application number DE102010033344.1, having a
filing date of Aug. 4, 2010, the complete disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a method for continuously and
simultaneously monitoring a number of drive components provided in
at least one drive train of a large hydraulic excavator.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Large hydraulic excavators with a service weight in excess
of 100 t are generally used in mining operations, where they are
often in continuous use over a long time during the day. At
predetermined time intervals, these large hydraulic excavators
undergo servicing work, including the exchange of certain
components, such as for example clutches or the like, at certain
intervals.
[0004] Nevertheless, in the tough day-to-day operation of large
hydraulic excavators there are continually recurring instances of
operationally relevant components, such as for example gearboxes,
pumps or the like, becoming damaged between service intervals,
possibly attributable to material defects and/or system faults.
[0005] DE 101 00 522 discloses a monitoring device for monitoring
the function of a machine, in particular an agricultural machine,
with at least one sensor, which is designed for providing a signal
which contains information about a noise that is caused by at least
one movable element of the machine. Proposed is a computer device
which receives the signal of the sensor and can be operated on the
basis of the signal provided by the sensor and a comparative value
to generate a signal value. In this way, error messages can be
generated.
[0006] DE 10 2005 059 564 A1 discloses a device for monitoring the
state of hydrostatic displacement units, in particular in the case
of axial piston machines operated as a pump or as a motor. The
device comprises a recording unit with a multiplicity of sensors
attached to the hydrostatic displacement unit for recording
monitoring and operating data and also an evaluating unit, which
has a device for analyzing the monitoring data in the frequency
range of a device for analyzing the monitoring data in the time
range. The evaluating unit is adjoined by a diagnostic unit with an
output unit.
[0007] DE 10 2005 023 256 A1 describes a monitoring device for
monitoring the function of the components of an agricultural
machine, with a vibration sensor for providing signal values which
contain information about mechanical vibrations caused by movable
components of the machine, an operating state recording device for
providing a signal which contains information about the operating
state of components of the machine and a computer device for
generating state information regarding the state of the components
of the machine that is based on the signal values of the operating
state recording device and the vibration sensor.
SUMMARY
[0008] The aim of the subject matter of the invention is to detect
changes in the operating behavior of drive components in the area
of a large hydraulic excavator with a service weight in excess of
100 t in good time and thereby give the operator of the respective
machine the possibility of being able to implement maintenance or
repair measures or the exchange of damaged drive components without
delay, in order to avoid additional unplanned inoperative times
outside the service intervals. The method is intended to be
applicable both to diesel drives and electromotive drives in
single- or multi-engine or motor operation.
[0009] It is also intended to provide a device for monitoring drive
components provided in the area of a large hydraulic excavator with
a service weight in excess of 100 t that minimizes unplanned
inoperative times of the large hydraulic excavator.
[0010] This aim is achieved by a method for continuously and
simultaneously monitoring a number of mechanical and/or hydraulic
drive components provided in at least one drive train of a large
hydraulic excavator and in operative connection with one another,
in that a vibration pickup is positioned in the area of just a
single one of the drive components in operative connection with one
another, this vibration pickup is connected via a line to an
evaluation unit, which contains predeterminable peculiarity
patterns of all the drive components in operative connection with
one another and transmits the common measuring signal of all the
drive components in operative connection with one another in a
prepared form as an input frequency to the evaluation unit and
adjusts there a limit value from the peculiarity pattern that
belongs to the respective individual drive component.
[0011] Advantageous developments of the method according to the
invention can be taken from the associated method-related dependent
claims.
[0012] The subject matter of the invention discloses a method for
continuously and simultaneously monitoring drive components of at
least one drive train of a large hydraulic excavator provided with
a diesel or electric drive, so that the respective operator of the
large hydraulic excavator can arrange maintenance or repair
measures or the exchange of the damaged component in good
time--even outside normal service intervals.
[0013] Consequently, unplanned inoperative times of the large
hydraulic excavator are avoided. Drive components in the sense of
the subject matter of the invention are, for example, pump power
dividers, swiveling gear mechanisms, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic
motors and also the respective diesel engine or electric motor.
[0014] As a departure from the prior art, a dedicated sensor is not
used for each individual component, but rather the aggregate
oscillation of the drive components in operative connection with
one another of at least one drive train of the large hydraulic
excavator is determined. It is often the case with large hydraulic
excavators that the following components are mechanically and/or
hydraulically brought into operative connection with one another:
the drive motor, the clutch, the pump power divider and hydraulic
pumps.
[0015] This aim is also achieved by a device for continuously and
simultaneously monitoring a number of drive components in operative
connection with one another in at least one drive train of a large
hydraulic excavator with a service weight in excess of 100 t,
comprising a vibration pickup which is fixedly connected to the
housing of a single one of the drive components in operative
connection with one another and is in operative connection via a
line with an evaluation unit provided in the area of the large
hydraulic excavator.
[0016] The subject matter of the invention involves the following
advantages: [0017] simpler sensor systems in comparison with a
vibration pickup on rotational parts, [0018] linking of the
measurement data with further machine-relevant data, [0019]
introduction of the component data into the on-board electronic
system, [0020] component diagnostics.
[0021] According to a further idea of the invention, the frequency
pattern predetermined for the drive component respectively to be
monitored and stored in the evaluation unit is stored in the
evaluation unit as a limit value that is dependent on the
respective rotational speed of the engine or motor.
[0022] The evaluation unit may be part of the large hydraulic
excavator. The measurement data may, if need be, also be correlated
with other machine-relevant data, for example with data from the
vehicle's electronic system. Linking all of the data allows
conclusions to be drawn as to why the limiting frequency range of
the respective drive component was exceeded.
[0023] If the evaluation unit is part of the large hydraulic
excavator, the state of the drive components can be displayed by
suitable display elements, on a monitor for example, and thus be
monitored, if appropriate with further data, by the driver of the
large hydraulic excavator.
[0024] An electronic evaluation system may also be arranged
decentrally (for example with radio transmission), so that the
suitable repair measures can be initiated from there.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The subject matter according to the invention is represented
in the drawing on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and is
described as follows. In the drawing:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a basic diagram of an only indicated large
hydraulic excavator;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a drive train of
the large hydraulic excavator according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIG. 1 shows as a basic diagram an only indicated large
hydraulic excavator 1 with a service weight in excess of 100 t, as
can be used for example for extracting oil shale in a mine. Only
the relevant components are represented, such as the superstructure
2 swivel-mounted on a crawler undercarriage 3, and the driver's cab
4. Likewise only indicated is one of the drive trains 5 (6), in
this example comprising a diesel engine 7, a clutch 8, a pump power
divider 9 and hydraulic pumps 10, 11 mechanically flange-mounted on
the pump power divider. Also indicated is an evaluation unit 15,
provided in the area of the driver's cab 4 and comprising an
optical display.
[0029] Further drive components, such as hydraulic motors,
swiveling gear mechanisms or the like, are only indicated, but are
also covered by the scope of protection.
[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows one of the drive areas of the
large hydraulic excavator 1 according to FIG. 1. Indicated in this
example is a drive train 5, comprising a diesel engine 7, a clutch
8, a pump power divider 9 and hydraulic pumps 10, 11. These drive
components 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 are mechanically/hydraulically in
operative connection with one another, and consequently can be
regarded as a unit. In this example, it is intended that
exclusively on the pump power divider 9 there is fixedly mounted a
single vibration pickup 12. The measuring signals of the vibration
pickup 12 are fed via a line 13 to the evaluation unit 15 provided
in the driver's cab 4 of the large hydraulic excavator 1.
[0031] In the evaluation unit 15, a specific peculiarity pattern 14
is stored for each of the drive components 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 in
operative connection with one another of the drive train 5, so that
the possible defective component can be detected by way of these
defined patterns and their amplitudes. These patterns are coupled
to an only indicated electronic evaluation system 16, which in turn
is in connection with the BCS (Board Control System) of the large
hydraulic excavator 1 and, if need be, displays to the operator
information about an operating state deviating from the normal case
of one or more of the drive components 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 by way of
optical display 17.
[0032] Alternatively or in parallel, the transmission of the
measurement data may also be relayed by radio to an external
monitoring center, so that then the adjustment between the measured
value and the limit value can be performed there. If need be,
necessary repair measures can then be initiated here.
[0033] The vibration pickup 12 continuously and simultaneously
records an aggregate measuring signal, preferably the vibration
frequencies of the respective drive component 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. This
aggregate signal is fed to the display 17 via the line 13'. In the
evaluation unit 15, a constant adjustment takes place between the
input frequency and the different peculiarity patterns (limit
values) stored there of the respective drive components 7, 8, 9,
10, 11. Deviations between the actual frequency of the respective
drive component 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and the stored critical limit
values 18, 18', 18'' are generated in dependence on the respective
rotational speed of the engine 7 in a peculiarity message and are
stored in the fault memory of an on-board control system.
Consequently, a dedicated limit value 18, 18', 18'' is defined in
association with each engine speed for each of the drive components
7, 8, 9, 10, 11 in operative connection with one another. As a
departure from the prior art, consequently, there are always
varying limit values 18, 18', 18'' for the individual drive
components 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, which bring about a high degree of
flexibility in the data preparation. The peculiarity message is fed
with further relevant machine data (such as for example engine
speed, temperature, pressure of the pumps 10, 11) via further
sensors 19, 20 and associated lines 21, 22, 23, 24 to the display
17 of the on-board control system.
[0034] For each signal of the respective drive component 7, 8, 9,
10, 11 that is stored in the evaluation unit 15, a specific
peculiarity pattern is generated, so that, by way of these defined
peculiarities and the comparison with the signals supplied by the
vibration pickup 12, the possible defective drive component can be
detected.
* * * * *