Sound analysis to identify a damaged component in a work machine
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorTimothy J. Kraus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An agricultural work machine, an agricultural work machine control system, and method for an agricultural work machine having a sound sensor configured to transmit sound signals generated by the work machine during operation. The transmitted sound signals are received by a controller and used to determine if the work machine is operating properly. The controller compares an operating frequency profile, based on the transmitted sound signals, to a baseline frequency profile, to determine whether a likelihood of a malfunctioning or damaged part or system of the work machine is present. If so, the controller transmits a signal to either turn off the agricultural work machine or transmits an alert to a display indicating that a malfunctioning or damaged part or system has been identified.
Claims20
A method of identifying wear or damage to a part of an agricultural work machine, the method comprising:
- identifying a baseline frequency profile of the agricultural work machine when newly manufactured and operating to design intent or when a part or component of the agricultural work machine is repaired or replaced to determine one or more baseline operating characteristics of the agricultural work machine;
- identifying an operating frequency profile of the agricultural work machine once put into service to determine one or more working operating characteristics of the agricultural work machine;
- comparing the operating frequency profile of the agricultural work machine to the baseline frequency profile of the agricultural work machine to provide a comparison profile;
- and
- identifying, from the comparison profile, a change to the operating characteristic of the agricultural work machine once put into service in order to identify wear or damage to a part of the agricultural work machine.
A work machine control system for an work machine, the work machine control system comprising:
- a sound sensor configured to detect a sound profile of the work machine;
- an electronic user interface configured to provide status information of the work machine;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the sound sensor and to the electronic user interface, the controller including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions and the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to:
- identify an operating frequency profile of the work machine once placed into service based on the detected sound profile;
- compare the operating frequency profile of the work machine to a baseline frequency profile of the work machine, the baseline frequency profile determined when operating to design intent or when a part or component of the work machine is repaired or replaced, to provide a comparison frequency profile;
- identify, from the comparison frequency profile, a change to the baseline frequency profile;
- determine whether the identified change to the baseline frequency profile exceeds a predetermined amount;
- and
- alter an operation of the work machine if the identified change exceeds the predetermined amount.
An agricultural work machine comprising:
- an agricultural work machine control system including a sound sensor located at one of on the agricultural work machine or not on the agricultural work machine, the sound sensor configured to detect a sound profile of the agricultural work machine, an electronic user interface configured to provide status information of the agricultural work machine, and a controller operatively connected to the sound sensor and to the electronic user interface, the controller including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions and the processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to:
- identify an operating frequency profile of the agricultural work machine once put into service based on the detected sound profile;
- compare the operating frequency profile of the agricultural work machine to a baseline frequency profile of the agricultural work machine, the baseline frequency profile determined when operating to design intent or when a part or component of the agricultural work machine is repaired or replaced to provide a comparison frequency profile, wherein the baseline frequency profile includes one or more frequencies;
- identify, from the comparison frequency profile, a change to the baseline frequency profile;
- determine whether the identified change to the baseline frequency profile exceeds a predetermined amount;
- and
- alter an operation of the agricultural work machine if the identified change exceeds the predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.