Abstract

Mechanisms for monitoring steam traps for failure are provided, the mechanisms comprising: setting a waiting period of time to an initial value; sampling first energy output by the steam trap; waiting the waiting period of time; sampling second energy output by the steam trap after waiting the waiting period of time; determining whether the second energy output by the steam trap indicates a problem in the steam trap; in response to determining that the second energy output by the steam trap does not indicate a problem in the steam trap, increasing the waiting period of time to an increased period of time; and sampling third energy output by the steam trap after waiting the increased period of time.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16T 1/48 - Monitoring arrangements for inspecting, e.g. flow of steam and steam condensate

Abstract

Systems, methods, and media for detecting abnormalities in equipment that emit ultrasonic energy into a solid medium during failure are provided. In some embodiments, devices for monitoring a piece of equipment are provided, the devices comprising: a piezo microphone having a signal output; a mechanical structure acoustically coupling the piezo microphone to the piece of equipment; a hardware processor configured to: receive intensity signals based on the signal output of the piezo microphone; perform a fast Fourier transform on the received intensity signals to produce a set of output band values for each of a plurality of frequency bands; average at least some of the output band values to produce an average value; and calculate a sum of at least some of the output band values; and a transceiver that transmits the sum to a remote device.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16T 1/48 - Monitoring arrangements for inspecting, e.g. flow of steam and steam condensate
• G01H 11/08 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
• G01L 11/06 - Ultrasonic means
• G01M 3/22 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for valves
• G01M 3/24 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• H04R 17/02 - Microphones