# US 10,771,361 B2 · Apparatus and method for providing power to machine measurement devices via data communication network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,361 B2 - Document ID: US10771361B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/013,413 - Filed: 2018-06-20 - Published: 2018-10-25 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-24 - Assignees: epro GmbH - Applicants: epro GmbH - Inventors: Thomas Wewers; Christian Pliete; Raphael Wittmund; Sven Wermers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771361B2 ## CPC - H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements - H04L 12/40045: {Details regarding the feeding of energy to the node from the bus} - H04L 43/12: Network monitoring probes - H04L 67/125: involving control of end-device applications over a network - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A machine health management system incorporates machine measurement units that are connected via Power Over Ethernet (PoE) to a central logic unit. Each measurement unit includes one or more sensor modules to which sensors are connected, or one or more output modules to which output devices are connected, or a combination of sensor modules and output modules. The energy needed to power the measurement units comes through the PoE network. Sensor signals generated by the sensors are digitalized and may be analyzed in the sensor modules. Raw data, and in some cases preprocessed data, are transported over the Ethernet network to the central logic unit, where the data is analyzed and/or combined with other data to perform prediction analysis, build decisions and possibly implement protection solutions, predict performance of the machine/system, or control the machine/system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine measurement system for collecting vibration data that is indicative of operational conditions of a machine in an industrial setting, the machine including a rotating shaft supported by a bearing, the system comprising: a central logic unit that receives the vibration data that is indicative of the operational conditions of the machine, the central logic unit in communication with an Ethernet network; a Ethernet network switch in communication with the central logic unit via the Ethernet network, the Ethernet network switch comprising: an internal power supply for supplying power to the Ethernet network switch; and one or more Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports that are operable to communicate data and provide power to devices connected thereto; and a dual-channel measurement unit mounted adjacent the shaft and bearing of the machine, the dual-channel measurement unit comprising: a first sensor comprising an eddy current sensor for sensing vibration of the machine and generating a first type of vibration data that is indicative of relative shaft vibration; a second sensor comprising a piezo electric sensor or a seismic probe sensor for sensing vibration of the machine and generating a second type of vibration data that is indicative of absolute bearing vibration; and one or more sensor modules, each comprising: one or more sensor interfaces for providing an electrical connection to one or both of the first and second sensors; and a PoE port connected to one of the one or more PoE ports of the Ethernet network switch for communicating data to and receiving power from the Ethernet network switch, wherein the central logic unit receives the first and second types of vibration data via the Ethernet network, and calculates absolute shaft vibration according to: absolute shaft vibration=relative shaft vibration−absolute bearing vibration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine measurement system of claim 1 wherein the first and second sensors are mounted in a single measurement unit housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The machine measurement system of claim 2 wherein the one or more sensor modules are mounted in the single measurement unit housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The machine measurement system of claim 3 wherein the Ethernet network switch is disposed within the single measurement unit housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The machine measurement system of claim 1 wherein the central logic unit is operable to receive and process machine vibration data selected from the group consisting of machine prediction data, machine protection data, and machine control data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The machine measurement system of claim 1 wherein the central logic unit is operable to receive machine vibration data and make the machine vibration data available for processing by an external data analysis system which returns processed machine vibration data to the central logic unit, wherein the processed machine vibration data is selected from the group consisting of machine prediction data, machine protection data, and machine control data. ### Claim 7 A machine measurement system for collecting vibration data that is indicative of operational conditions of a machine in an industrial setting, the machine including a rotating shaft supported by a bearing, the system comprising: a central logic unit that receives the vibration data that is indicative of the operational conditions of the machine, the central logic unit in communication with an Ethernet network; a Ethernet network switch in communication with the central logic unit via the Ethernet network, the Ethernet network switch comprising: an internal power supply for supplying power to the Ethernet network switch; and one or more Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports that are operable to communicate data and provide power to devices connected thereto; and a dual-channel measurement unit mounted adjacent the shaft and bearing of the machine, the dual-channel measurement unit comprising: a first sensor comprising an eddy current sensor for sensing vibration of the machine and generating a first type of vibration data that is indicative of relative shaft vibration; a second sensor comprising a piezo electric sensor or a seismic probe sensor for sensing vibration of the machine and generating a second type of vibration data that is indicative of absolute bearing vibration; and one or more sensor modules, each comprising: one or more sensor interfaces for providing an electrical connection to one or both of the first and second sensors; and a PoE port connected to one of the one or more PoE ports of the Ethernet network switch for communicating data to and receiving power from the Ethernet network switch, wherein the central logic unit receives the first and second types of vibration data via the Ethernet network, and calculates absolute shaft vibration based thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The machine measurement system of claim 7 wherein the first and second sensors are mounted in a single measurement unit housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The machine measurement system of claim 8 wherein the one or more sensor modules are mounted in the single measurement unit housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The machine measurement system of claim 7 wherein the Ethernet network switch is disposed within the single measurement unit housing.