Method and apparatus for self-diagnosis of a sensor
AssigneeTextron Systems Corporation
InventorHoward C. Choe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for determining whether the sensors or the used in a device monitoring system are properly functioning before rendering a determination as to a defect within the device itself. As a result, maintenance costs may be reduced while limiting the number of false indications of failure, thereby increasing the reliability of the monitoring system.
Claims27
A method for self-diagnosing sensors for use in a device monitoring system, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a signal from a sensor and a sensor channel representing a noise threshold;
- receiving a signal from said sensor and said sensor channel when said sensor is energized to obtain a sensed value;
- and,
- determining whether said sensor is operational based on whether said sensed value exceeds said noise threshold.
A self-diagnostic system for diagnosing a sensor for use in a device monitoring system, said diagnostic system comprising a processing unit for receiving a signal from a sensor and a sensor channel representing a noise threshold, receiving a signal from said sensor and said sensor channel when said sensor is energized to obtain a sensed value, and determining whether said sensor is operational based on whether said sensed value exceeds said noise threshold.
A method for self-diagnosing sensors for use in a device monitoring system, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating, for each sensor, sensor status values;
- comparing said values to each other;
- determining a malfunctioning sensor based on said comparison of said values;
- and
- performing a statistical analysis to determine a malfunctioning sensor when more than one sensor is initially determined to be malfunctioning.
A self-diagnostic system for diagnosing a sensor for use in a device monitoring system, said self-diagnostic system comprising a processing unit for generating, for each sensor, sensor status values, for comparing said values to each other and for determining a malfunctioning sensor based on said comparison of said values;
- wherein said processing unit further performs a statistical analysis to determine a malfunctioning sensor when more than one sensor is initially determined to be malfunctioning.
A monitoring system for a gearbox comprising:
- a sensor for sensing gearbox operating conditions;
- a processing unit for receiving sensed operating conditions of the gearbox and for determining a condition of the gearbox, said processing unit comprising a self-diagnostic routine for diagnosing said sensor, said routine causing said processing unit to receive a signal from said sensor through a sensor channel to obtain a noise threshold when the sensor is de-energized, causing said processing unit to receive a signal from said sensor through said sensor channel when said sensor is energized to obtain a sensed value, and causing said processing unit to determine whether said sensor is operational based on whether said sensed value exceeds or is close to said noise threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.