Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.

Abstract: A gap compensated stress sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a stress sensor configured to generate a stress signal representing stress applied to a target based upon measurement of generated magnetic fluxes passing through the target. The system can also include a drive circuit configured to provide a current for generation of the magnetic fluxes, and to measure signals characterizing a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can analyze these signals to determine a gap-dependent reference signal that is relatively insensitive to electrical runout. The controller can further adjust the stress signal based upon the gap-dependent reference signal to determine an improved stress signal that has reduced sensitivity to gap changes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for automated alarm shelving. In one embodiment, the method can include receiving data characterizing a state-transition of a machine from a first operational state to a second operational state. The method can also include setting a first field of a first data structure representing a first alarm of the first operational state to a shelved value representative of suppression of the first alarm. The method can further include setting a second field of a second data structure representing a second alarm of the second operational state to an activity value determined based on the received data characterizing the transition and a previous alarm associated with the second operational state.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a magnetostrictive torque sensor and at least one proximity sensor in communication with a controller. The proximity sensor can be substantially rigidly coupled to a sensor head of the torque sensor, either contained within the sensor head or mounted proximate to the sensor head using a bracket or other coupling mechanism. The torque sensor can sense magnetic flux passing through the target and the proximity sensor can measure a gap between itself and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic flux sensed by the torque sensor. The estimated torque can be modified by the gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a torque sensor and a proximity sensor coupled to the sensor head. The torque and proximity sensors can each sense magnetic fluxes passing through the target and a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque sensor. The controller can determine an improved gap measurement that is independent of electromagnetic properties of the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque and proximity sensors. The estimated torque can be modified by the improved gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for positioning, orienting, and/or aligning a stress sensor assembly are provided. Raw stress signals, which can correspond to stress in the target, can be generated by detecting a magnetic flux that travels through the target. The raw stress signals can be sensitive to an alignment of the sensor relative to the target. In order to minimize measurement error, the stress sensor can be properly aligned relative to the target prior to taking a stress measurement. Sensor alignment can involve adjusting a yaw, pitch, and/or roll of the sensor, measuring the raw stress signals, attenuating the detected magnetic flux, and measuring the raw stress signals again. When the stress sensor is properly aligned, a change in a size of a gap between the sensor and a surface of a target can result in approximately equal changes in the raw stress signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable monitoring system can include a secondary bus and a first monitoring circuit detachably coupled to the secondary bus. The first monitoring circuit can be configured to receive, from a first bus via a node comprising one or more gates, a first beacon packet of a monitoring system of an industrial machine. The first beacon packet can include a first system frame schedule indicative of a plurality of time slices during which a plurality of data packets can be configured to be broadcasted on the first bus of the monitoring system. The first monitoring circuit can also be configured to determine, a first set of time slices of the plurality of time slices during which a first set of data packets including data characterizing one or more predetermined operating parameters are broadcasted on the first bus.

Abstract: Equipment monitoring employing time-triggered Ethernet communications is provided. Two or more sensor assemblies can be configured to transmit sensor signals representative of one or more operating parameters of a machine to a monitoring system over a token ring Ethernet network. The monitoring system can synchronize timing between the sensor assemblies and schedule timing of respective sensor signal transmissions to bound latency of the scheduled transmissions. Alternatively, or additionally, the monitoring system can include an Ethernet backplane configured to allow Ethernet communication between two or more processing cards coupled thereto. A switch in communication with the Ethernet backplane can schedule transmissions between the processing cards coupled to the Ethernet backplane to guarantee latency of the scheduled transmissions.

Abstract: Equipment monitoring employing time-triggered Ethernet communications is provided. Two or more sensor assemblies can be configured to transmit sensor signals representative of one or more operating parameters of a machine to a monitoring system over a token ring Ethernet network. The monitoring system can synchronize timing between the sensor assemblies and schedule timing of respective sensor signal transmissions to bound latency of the scheduled transmissions. Alternatively, or additionally, the monitoring system can include an Ethernet backplane configured to allow Ethernet communication between two or more processing cards coupled thereto. A switch in communication with the Ethernet backplane can schedule transmissions between the processing cards coupled to the Ethernet backplane to guarantee latency of the scheduled transmissions.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a torque sensor and a proximity sensor coupled to the sensor head. The torque and proximity sensors can each sense magnetic fluxes passing through the target and a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque sensor. The controller can determine an improved gap measurement that is independent of electromagnetic properties of the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque and proximity sensors. The estimated torque can be modified by the improved gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: Data can be received indicating an occurrence of an alarm in an industrial machine monitoring system, the alarm triggered in response to machine operation satisfying a condition. A notification plan associated with the alarm can be accessed. The notification plan can specify parameters for contacting a user in response to the occurrence of the alarm. The notification plan can specify a time delay. A notification can be generated after elapse of at least the time delay. The generating can be according to the notification plan. The notification can be provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for automated alarm shelving. In one embodiment, the method can include receiving data characterizing a state-transition of a machine from a first operational state to a second operational state. The method can also include setting a first field of a first data structure representing a first alarm of the first operational state to a shelved value representative of suppression of the first alarm. The method can further include setting a second field of a second data structure representing a second alarm of the second operational state to an activity value determined based on the received data characterizing the transition and a previous alarm associated with the second operational state.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a torque sensor and a proximity sensor coupled to the sensor head. The torque and proximity sensors can each sense magnetic fluxes passing through the target and a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque sensor. The controller can determine an improved gap measurement that is independent of electromagnetic properties of the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque and proximity sensors. The estimated torque can be modified by the improved gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a sensor head in communication with a controller. The sensor head can contain a torque sensor and a proximity sensor coupled to the sensor head. The torque and proximity sensors can each sense magnetic fluxes passing through the target and a gap between the sensor head and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque sensor. The controller can determine an improved gap measurement that is independent of electromagnetic properties of the target from magnetic fluxes sensed by the torque and proximity sensors. The estimated torque can be modified by the improved gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.