On-board monitoring and event detection system for a machine with rotating components

An on-board monitoring and event detection system for a machine having a plurality of rotating components, comprising:

• a powertrain, the powertrain including the plurality of rotating components;
• a vibration sensor, the vibration sensor including a vibration sensor element and a sensor controller, the vibration sensor being disposed adjacent one of the plurality of rotating components, the vibration sensor element being configured to generate raw vibration data indicative of vibrations of the vibration sensor element, and the sensor controller being configured to receive the raw vibration data from the vibration sensor element, and generate condition indicators based upon the raw vibration data;
• at least one of a speed sensor, a torque sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor, operatively associated with the powertrain;
• and
• a controller, distinct from the sensor controller, configured to:
• access an event threshold;
• access a time threshold;
• receive the condition indicators from the vibration sensor;
• receive sensor signals from the at least one of a speed sensor, a torque sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor;
• wherein the condition indicators and the sensor signals define operating characteristics of the powertrain;
• compare the operating characteristics of the powertrain to the event threshold;
• and
• generate an event response if the operating characteristics exceed the event threshold for a time period exceeding the time threshold,
• wherein the event threshold defines a critical threshold, the time threshold defines a critical time threshold, and the controller is further configured to:
• access a warning threshold;
• access a warning time threshold;
• and
• if the operating characteristics do not exceed the critical threshold for a time exceeding the critical time threshold, compare the operating characteristics to the warning threshold, and if the operating characteristics exceed the warning threshold for a time exceeding the warning time threshold, generate the event response.

A method of monitoring and event detection on-board a machine having a powertrain with a plurality of rotating components, comprising:

• accessing an event threshold;
• accessing a time threshold;
• receiving, at a sensor controller of a vibration sensor, raw vibration data from a vibration sensor element of a vibration sensor, the vibration sensor element being disposed adjacent one of the plurality of rotating components;
• utilizing the sensor controller of the vibration sensor to generate condition indicators based upon the vibration data;
• receiving the condition indicators at a controller on-board the machine and distinct from the vibration sensor;
• receiving, at the controller on-board the machine, sensor signals from at least one of a speed sensor, a torque sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor;
• the condition indicators and the sensor signals defining operating characteristics of the powertrain;
• comparing, at the controller on-board the machine, the operating characteristics of the powertrain to the event threshold;
• generating, at the controller on-board the machine, an event response if the operating characteristics exceed the event threshold for a time period exceeding the time threshold;
• and
• further comprising generating speed signals indicative of a speed of one of the plurality of rotating components, generating torque signals indicative of a torque generated by a prime mover operatively associated with the powertrain, and wherein the operating characteristics are defined by the condition indicators, the speed signals, and the torque signals.