Diagnostic rule base tool condition monitoring system
AssigneeTri-Way Machine Ltd.
InventorsJoel W. Jones, Ya Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool condition monitoring system monitors the power consumption of a tool during performance of a cyclical task. The system monitors a plurality of characteristics of the power consumption and diagnoses the condition of the tool based upon the plurality of characteristics. A rule base of the plurality of characteristics is generated in a learning mode by monitoring a tool of known condition for a plurality of cycles. In monitor mode, the system monitors the power consumption of a tool and diagnosis the condition of the tool by indexing the rule base based upon the plurality of characteristics monitored.
Claims17
A method for monitoring the condition of an electric motor powered tool including the steps of:
- a. monitoring the power consumption of the electric motor powered tool during performance of a cyclical task;
- b. counting the number of crossings by said power consumption of a power threshold;
- c. comparing the number of crossings to a predetermined number;
- d. comparing said power consumption to a predetermined maximum value;
- e. monitoring an amount of time that said power consumption is above and below said power threshold;
- f. comparing said amount of time to a predetermined time value;
- g. creating a rule base encompassing a plurality of combinations of possible outcomes of the comparisons of steps c), d) and f);
- h. associating each of said plurality of combinations with an associated potential condition of said electric motor powered tool;
- i. diagnosing said condition of said electric motor powered tool by indexing said rule base based upon said steps c), d) and f);
- j. indicating said condition of said electric motor powered tool.
A system for monitoring the condition of an electric tool comprising:
- means for measuring the power consumption of said electric tool during performance of a cyclical task;
- means for monitoring a plurality of characteristics of said power consumption during said cyclical task;
- and
- means for diagnosing the condition of said electric tool based upon the combination of states of said plurality of characteristics, including a rule base encompassing a plurality of combinations of said plurality of characteristics, said rule base associating each of said plurality of combinations with an associated condition of said electric tool, and wherein said means for diagnosing the condition of said electric-powered tool indexing said rule base based on said monitored plurality of characteristics.
A method of monitoring the condition of an electric-powered tool, comprising:
- a) operating the electric-powered tool in a learning mode during performance of a cyclic task while monitoring a power consumption signal of the electric-powered tool having a plurality of distinct operational characteristics associated with the power consumption signal;
- b) processing the power consumption signal and generating a diagnostic rule base comprising a plurality of different combinations of the operational characteristics each associated with a different operational condition of the electric-powered tool;
- c) continuing to operate the electric-powered tool in a monitoring mode while performing the cyclic task and monitoring the power consumption signal of the electric-powered tool;
- d) comparing the plurality of distinct operational characteristics associated with the power consumption signal from step c) with the diagnostic rule base;
- and
- e) diagnosing the existence of any of a number of particular operational conditions of the electric-powered tool by identifying a match between at least one combination of the plurality of combinations of operational characteristics associated with the power consumption signal monitored in step c) with a corresponding combination of operational characteristics of the diagnostic rule base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.