Modular monitoring and protection system with open communication backbone

A system for monitoring dynamic operating parameters of a rotary mechanical system, the monitoring system comprising:

• a first monitoring group proximate to a location A of the rotary mechanical system, the first monitoring group including a first monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a first sensor at location A and to receive signals therefrom indicative of a first operating parameter of the mechanical system, and a second monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a second sensor at location A and to receive signals therefrom indicative of a second operating parameter of the mechanical system, the first and second monitoring modules being further configured to exchange signals with one another in accordance with an open industrial data exchange protocol;
• a second monitoring group proximate to a location B of the rotary mechanical system distal from location A, the second monitoring group including a third monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a third sensor at location B, to receive signals therefrom indicative of a third operating parameter of the mechanical system, and to exchange signals with the first or second module in accordance with the open industrial data exchange protocol;
• and
• a central monitoring station distal from locations A and B, coupled to the first, second and third monitoring modules and configured to exchange data with the first, second and third modules in accordance with the open industrial data exchange protocol.

An instrumented rotary mechanical system comprising:

• rotary equipment including a plurality of monitoring points comprising at least two monitoring locations A and B distal from one another;
• a first monitoring group disposed proximate to location A, the first monitoring group including a first monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a first sensor at location A and to receive signals therefrom indicative of a first operating parameter of the mechanical system, and a second monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a second sensor at location A and to receive signals therefrom indicative of a second operating parameter of the mechanical system, the first and second monitoring modules being further configured to exchange signals with one another in accordance with an open industrial data exchange protocol;
• a second monitoring group disposed proximate to a location B, the second monitoring group including a third monitoring module configured to be coupled to at least a third sensor at location B, to receive signals therefrom indicative of a third operating parameter of the mechanical system, and to exchange signals with the first or second module in accordance with the open industrial data exchange protocol;
• and
• a central monitoring station distal from locations A and B, coupled to the first, second and third monitoring modules and configured to exchange data with the first, second and third modules in accordance with the open industrial data exchange protocol.

A method for monitoring dynamic operating parameters of a rotary mechanical system, the monitoring system comprising:

• coupling a first monitoring module to a second monitoring module for data exchange therebetween within an enclosure disposed proximate to a location A of the rotary mechanical system;
• monitoring via the first monitoring module signals from at least a first sensor at location A indicative of a first operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• monitoring via the second monitoring module signals from at least a second sensor at location A indicative of a second operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• and
• exchanging signals between the first and second monitoring modules in accordance with an open industrial data exchange protocol.

A method for monitoring dynamic operating parameters of a rotary mechanical system, the monitoring system comprising:

• coupling a first monitoring module to a second monitoring module for data exchange therebetween within an enclosure disposed proximate to a location A of the rotary mechanical system;
• coupling a third monitoring module to the first and second monitoring modules within an enclosure disposed proximate to a location B of the rotary mechanical system distal from location A;
• monitoring via the first monitoring module signals from at least a first sensor at location A indicative of a first dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• monitoring via the second monitoring module signals from at least a second sensor at location A indicative of a second dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• monitoring via the third monitoring module signals from at least a third sensor at location B indicative of a third dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• and
• exchanging signals between the first and second monitoring modules, and between the first and second monitoring modules and the third monitoring module in accordance with an open industrial data exchange protocol.

A method for monitoring dynamic operating parameters of a rotary mechanical system, the monitoring system comprising:

• coupling a first monitoring module to a second monitoring module for data exchange therebetween within an enclosure disposed proximate to a location A of the rotary mechanical system;
• coupling a third monitoring module to the first and second monitoring modules within an enclosure disposed proximate to a location B of the rotary mechanical system distal from location A;
• coupling the first, second and third modules to a central monitoring station distal from locations A and B;
• monitoring via the first monitoring module signals from at least a first sensor at location A indicative of a first dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• monitoring via the second monitoring module signals from at least a second sensor at location A indicative of a second dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• monitoring via the third monitoring module signals from at least a third sensor at location B indicative of a third dynamic operating parameter of the mechanical system;
• and
• exchanging signals between the first and second monitoring modules, and between the first and second monitoring modules and the third monitoring module, and between the modules and the central monitoring station in accordance with an open industrial data exchange protocol.