Sound-based vessel cleaner inspection
OwnerJames Tysoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sound detection techniques and sound discrimination techniques are used to analyze the real time sounds generated during the operation of cleaning heads operating within a vessel to determine if the cleaning heads are operating properly. During a typical cleaning operation pressurized cleaning solution is dispensed through a rotating nozzle assembly inside the vessel. As the nozzles rotate the spray moves about the interior of the vessel creating a unique sound pattern. By placing one or more pickups on the interior of the vessel the sound is captured and fed to an analyzing device for analysis. Key properties such as, but not limited to, sound pressure levels, amplitude variations, spectral content, and rotational information are extracted and analyzed against the reference parameters.
Claims25
A method for evaluating the operating status of a cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- developing reference parameters based upon sound signals derived from proper operation of said cleaning device in the interior of said vessel;
- capturing sound signals from said vessel when the cleaning device is in operation;
- comparing said captured sound signal with said reference parameters;
- and
- outputting indicia of the operating status of said rotary element cleaning device based upon said comparison.
An apparatus for evaluating the operating status of a rotary element cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising:
- a sound recording system positioned on the interior of said vessel and configured to record sounds occurring on the interior of said vessel;
- a sound analyzer coupled to said sound recording system and configured to analyze sounds recorded by said sound recording system;
- and
- a display coupled to said sound analyzer and configured to display results of said analysis of said sounds recorded by said sound recording system;
- wherein said display provides an indication of the operating status of said rotary element cleaning device based on the analysis performed by said sound analyzer.
A method for evaluating the operating status of a rotary element cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- developing reference sound values corresponding to sounds made by the rotary element cleaning device when it is operating properly and storing said developed reference sound values in a first format;
- capturing ongoing operational sounds using a sensor coupled to the interior of said vessel;
- processing said captured ongoing operational sounds to convert them to and store them in said first format;
- analyzing said operating status of said rotary element cleaning device by comparing said reference sound values and said processed captured sound values;
- and
- outputting an indication of the operating status of said rotary element cleaning device.
A method for evaluating the operating status of a rotary element cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- developing reference sound values corresponding to sounds made by the rotary element cleaning device when it is operating properly and storing said developed reference sound values in a first format;
- developing, using a sensor coupled to the interior of said vessel, ongoing operational sound values corresponding to sounds made by the rotary element during actual operation and storing said developed ongoing operational sound values in said first format;
- analyzing said operating status of said rotary element cleaning device by comparing said reference sound values and said captured ongoing operational sound values;
- and
- outputting an indication of the operating status of said rotary element cleaning device based on said comparison.
A method for evaluating the operation of a cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- sensing mechanical vibrations generated in the interior of said vessel when said cleaning device is in operation, utilizing a transducer coupled to the interior of said vessel;
- comparing said sensed mechanical vibrations to predetermined reference parameters;
- and
- indicating the results of said comparison.
An apparatus for evaluating the operation of a cleaning device operating inside of a vessel, comprising:
- at least one transducer coupled to the interior of said vessel and sensing mechanical vibrations generated in the interior of said vessel when said cleaning device is in operation;
- comparing means for comparing said sensed mechanical vibrations to predetermined reference parameters;
- and
- an indicator indicating the results of said comparison.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.