Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of diagnosing mechanical problems in rotating machinery, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the actual response in the machinery to be diagnosed; determining a probable cause of the mechanical problem based on the actual response; selecting a model of the machinery based on the probable cause; determining a predicted response from the model; and modifying the model so that the difference between the predicted response and the actual response is minimized, thereby identifying the mechanical problem.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of diagnosing mechanical problems in rotating machinery, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the actual response in the machinery to be diagnosed; determining a probable cause of the mechanical problem based on the actual response; selecting a model of the machinery based on the probable cause; determining a predicted response from the model; and modifying the model so that the difference between the predicted response and the actual response is minimized, thereby identifying the mechanical problem.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a probable cause includes using interpretive-based reasoning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting a model includes selecting a finite element model.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of modifying the model includes defining an objective function as the squares of the differences of the real and the imaginary parts of the actual and predicted responses and minimizing the objective function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of modifying further includes computing the gradient of the objective function with respect to the model parameter which affects the probable cause.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of modifying the model includes varying the model parameter which affects the probable cause.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining a new probable cause of the mechanical problem based on the actual response when said step of modifying the model fails to minimize the difference between the predicted response and the actual response; generating a new model of the machinery based on the new probable cause; determining a new predicted response from the new model; and modifying the new model so that the difference between the new predicted response and the actual response is minimized, thereby identifying the mechanical problem.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for diagnosing mechanical problems in rotating machinery, said system comprising: sensors for detecting the actual response of the machinery to be diagnosed; a data processor for generating a signal of the actual response; an expert system for determining a probable cause of the mechanical problem based on the actual response; an analytical model of the machinery based on the probable cause; and an optimizer for comparing the actual response to a predicted response based on the model and modifying the model so that the difference between the predicted response and the actual response is minimized.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for diagnosing mechanical problems in rotating machinery, said system comprising: sensors for detecting the actual response of the machinery to be diagnosed; a data processor for generating a signal of the actual response; an expert system for determining a probable cause of the mechanical problem based on the actual response; an analytical model of the machinery based on the probable cause; and an optimizer for comparing the actual response to a predicted response based on the model and modifying the model so that the difference between the predicted response and the actual response is minimized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of analytical models based on a plurality of different potential probable causes.