US5212645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible real-time, multi-tasking architecture for tool condition monitoring
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1990-07-19
•
Granted: 1993-05-18
•
Expires: 2010-07-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention utilizes a system of interlinked modular hardware and modular software for continuously controlling the manufacture of a workpiece. By using a modular architecture, the system capabilities can be expanded or modified without requiring major redesign.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas G. Wildes
- 👤 Steven R. Hayashi
- 👤 George D. Montanaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:11
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/414; G05B19/4148; G05B19/406; G05B19/4065; G05B19/416; G05B19/4163; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31118; G05B2219/31145; G05B2219/31151; G05B2219/31186; G05B2219/31244; G05B2219/31247; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32422; G05B2219/33; G05B2219/33053; G05B2219/33212; G05B2219/33244; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34225; G05B2219/34327; G05B2219/34381; G05B2219/34423; G05B2219/35; G05B2219/35273; G05B2219/35291; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37245; G05B2219/37285; G05B2219/37351; G05B2219/37388; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for manufacturing a workpiece comprising modular hardware interlinked with modular software, wherein said modular hardware comprises: (a) sensors for detecting signals in the manufacturing process; (b) signal conditioning elements for transmitting said detected signals to the system; wherein said modular software comprises one or more signal processing algorithms adapted for detecting features in aid detected signals for controlling the manufacture of the workpiece, wherein one or more interface task and data structures isolate the signal processing algorithms from external data formats, wherein said interface tasks and external data formats comprise a computer network interface, wherein said computer network interface is operable for recording sensor data and other diagnostic information, and wherein said computer network interface automatically reconnects if a network connection is broken and discards data without disrupting real-time performance if the network connection cannot be reestablished.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for manufacturing a workpiece comprising modular hardware interlinked with modular software, wherein said modular hardware comprises: (a) sensors for detecting signals in the manufacturing process; (b) signal conditioning elements for transmitting said detected signals to the system; wherein said modular software comprises one or more signal processing algorithms adapted for detecting features in aid detected signals for controlling the manufacture of the workpiece, wherein one or more interface task and data structures isolate the signal processing algorithms from external data formats, wherein said interface tasks and external data formats comprise a computer network interface, wherein said computer network interface is operable for recording sensor data and other diagnostic information, and wherein said computer network interface automatically reconnects if a network connection is broken and discards data without disrupting real-time performance if the network connection cannot be reestablished.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a piezoelectric accelerometer for detecting ultrasonic energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a horsepower sensor for detecting the power consumed by the manufacturing process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a low frequency accelerometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a current sensor for detecting the axis current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a tachometer for detecting the velocity of a rotating axis in the manufacturing process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a sensor for detecting the functioning of said signal conditioning elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise isolation amplifiers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise a resolver and an encoder interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise an ultrasonic energy preprocessor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise a drive module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise an internal bus module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise a computer numerical control module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal conditioning elements comprise an ultrasonic energy module.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
16 words
The system of claims 1 or 14 wherein said signal conditioning module comprise a clock module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing algorithm is adapted to output a continual stream of analyzed data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing algorithm is adapted to output packets of event data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing algorithm executes tasks simultaneously and independently.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one or more processing parameters of said signal processing algorithm are changed for modifying the manufacturing process.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one or more alternate signal processing algorithms are substituted for said signal processing algorithms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein message queues and data ring buffers provide for asynchronous operation of the signal processing algorithms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said computer network interface is used for modifying the system's response to signals from the manufacturing process.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing algorithm is a tool break detection algorithm based on monitoring of ultrasonic energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing algorithm is a tool wear detection algorithm based on monitoring of spindle power and ultrasonic energy.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said modular software comprises a plurality of the signal processing algorithms and wherein the signal processing algorithms only interface with internal data formats, said internal data formats being standardized and independent of the external environment.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of manufacturing a workpiece, comprising: (a) detecting signals in the manufacturing process by one or more interchangeable and modular sensing means; (b) transmitting said detected signals by interchangeable and modular signal conditioning means; and (c) processing said signals from said signal conditioning means by at least one signal processing algorithm means by detecting features in said signals for controlling the manufacturing process, said at least one signal processing algorithm means is modular software interlinked with said interchangeable and modular signal conditioning means, said at least one signal processing algorithm means is isolated from external data formats by one or more interface tasks and data structures, said interface tasks and external data formats comprise a computer network interface, and further comprising the steps of: using said computer network interface for recording sensor data and other diagnostic information; automatically reconnecting said network interface upon breaking of a network connection; and discarding data without disrupting real-time performance if the network connection cannot be reestablished.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of manufacturing a workpiece, comprising: (a) detecting signals in the manufacturing process by one or more interchangeable and modular sensing means; (b) transmitting said detected signals by interchangeable and modular signal conditioning means; and (c) processing said signals from said signal conditioning means by at least one signal processing algorithm means by detecting features in said signals for controlling the manufacturing process, said at least one signal processing algorithm means is modular software interlinked with said interchangeable and modular signal conditioning means, said at least one signal processing algorithm means is isolated from external data formats by one or more interface tasks and data structures, said interface tasks and external data formats comprise a computer network interface, and further comprising the steps of: using said computer network interface for recording sensor data and other diagnostic information; automatically reconnecting said network interface upon breaking of a network connection; and discarding data without disrupting real-time performance if the network connection cannot be reestablished.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4088899A
Cited
US4069488A
Cited
US4100597A
Cited
EP0102251A2
Cited
US4698766A
Cited
US5018097A
Cited
GB2211788A
Cited
US4974181A
Cited
US4980844A
Cited
GB2232505A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-17 | 1996-11-16 | 1997-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-17 | 2000-11-16 | 2001-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-17 | 2004-11-16 | 2005-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |