System dedicated to monitoring the physical and/or analogue parameters of the parts of an engine

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for monitoring physical and/or analogue parameters relative to the parts of an engine, said system comprising at least one electronic control unit (30.sub.a) configured to call up data, via at least one antenna (20a), from a surface acoustic wave sensor located on one of said parts, characterised by the fact that:—the engine (M) is compartmentalized, each compartment (Ma, . . . , Mf) comprising a plurality of mobile or fixed parts of which the physical and/or analogue parameters need to be monitored, —each of these parts to be monitored is provided with a surface acoustic wave sensor (101a, 102a, 103a, . . . , 101f, 102f, 103f), each of said sensors having a distinct resonance frequency specific to it,—an antenna (20a, . . . , 20f) is installed inside each of the compartments (Ma, . . . , Mf), each of said antenna being connected, alone or in pairs, to an electronic control unit (30a, . . . , 30f, 30ab, . . . , 30ef),—each antenna (20a, . . . , 20f) is controlled by the electronic control unit (30a, . . . , 30f, 30ab, . . . , 30ef) to which it is connected, to simultaneously emit a plurality of distinct frequencies close to the resonance frequencies of the sensors (101a, 102a, 103a, . . . , 101f, 102f, 103f) which are located in the engine compartment (Ma, . . . , Mf) of said antenna, so as to simultaneously communicate with all of these sensors (101a, 102a, 103a, . . . , 101f, 102f, 103f).

Claims

1. System for monitoring the physical and/or analog parameters concerning parts of an engine, said system comprising at least one electronic control unit configured to call up, by the intermediary of at least one antenna, a surface acoustic wave sensor located on one of said parts, wherein: the engine is compartmentalized, each compartment comprising a plurality of mobile or fixed parts of which the physical and/or analog parameters need to be monitored, each of these parts to be monitored is provided with a surface acoustic wave sensor, with these sensors each having a distinct resonance frequency specific to them, an antenna is installed inside each of the compartments, with each of these antennas being connected, alone or in pairs, to an electronic control unit, each antenna is controlled by the electronic control unit to which it is connected, to simultaneously emit a plurality of distinct signals having frequencies close to the resonance frequencies of the sensors which are located in the engine compartment of said antenna, so as to simultaneously communicate with all of these sensors, wherein the surface acoustic wave sensors that are arranged in the same compartment emit signals having frequencies in a band of frequencies different from those emitted by the surface acoustic wave sensors arranged in an immediately neighboring compartment, the sensors being arranged so that sensors located in one compartment cannot communicate with an antenna located in an immediately neighboring compartment.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the antenna which is installed in a compartment, emits signals having frequencies in a predefined frequency band which is different from the frequency band in which emits the antenna arranged in another compartment, so that each antenna calls up only the surface acoustic wave sensors located in its compartment.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein the surface acoustic wave sensors arranged in the same compartment, each emit signals having frequencies in a narrow frequency band, defined over an interval of 2 MHz.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein each electronic control unit is connected to a single antenna specific to it.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein each electronic control unit is connected to two antennas, with each one of these antennas being installed inside a compartment that is devoted to it.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein each surface acoustic wave sensor comprises an antenna specific to it.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein each surface acoustic wave sensor is installed on a part that is mobile.

8. System according to claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in the various compartments in such a way that sensors located in one compartment cannot communicate with an antenna installed in another compartment.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control units are each installed outside or inside the compartment.

10. System according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control units are connected together by digital communication cables, at least one of said units being connected to monitoring equipment in such a way that all of said units can communicate with said equipment.

11. System according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control units communicate with monitoring equipment by the intermediary of a digital bus.

12. System according to claim 1, wherein each antenna uses ISM frequencies to communicate with the sensors that are associated with them.

13. System according to claim 12 wherein each antenna uses ISM frequencies between 433 MHz and 445 MHz.

14. System according to claim 12, wherein each antenna uses ISM frequencies between 866 MHz and 890 MHz.

15. System according to claim 1, wherein each antenna uses frequencies between 423 MHz and 435 MHz, to communicate with the sensors that are associated to them.

16. System according to claim 1, wherein each antenna uses frequencies between 846 MHz and 870 MHz, to communicate with the sensors that are associated to them.

17. System according to claim 1, wherein each antenna used is a “¼ wave” antenna or PIFA.

18. Method for monitoring the physical and/or analog parameters concerning the parts of an engine, by calling up, by the intermediary of at least one antenna, a surface acoustic wave sensor located on one of said parts, comprising: compartmentalizing the engine in such a way that each compartment comprises a plurality of parts of which the physical and/or analog parameters need to be monitored, arranging on each of these parts to be monitored, a surface acoustic wave sensor, these sensors each having a distinct resonance frequency specific to them, installing an antenna inside each compartment, connecting each one of these antennas, alone or in pairs, to an electronic control unit, calling up each sensor by simultaneously emitting, from each antenna, a plurality of distinct signals having frequencies close to the resonance frequencies of the sensors which are located in the engine compartment of said antenna, so as to simultaneously communicate with all of these sensors, arranging the surface acoustic wave sensors in the same compartment, so as to emit signals having frequencies in a band of frequencies different from those emitted by the surface acoustic wave sensors arranged in an immediately neighboring compartment, arranging the sensors so that sensors located in one compartment cannot communicated with an antenna located in an immediately neighboring compartment.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other advantages and characteristics of the inventions shall appear more clearly when reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, in reference to the annexed drawings, provided by way of indicative and non-restricted examples and wherein:

(2) aforementioned FIG. 1 shows a system for monitoring known from prior art, and in particular described in the aforementioned patent document WO 00/62029 (SENSIT),

(3) FIG. 2 shows a monitoring system in accordance with the invention arranged in one of the compartments of the engine,

(4) FIG. 3 diagrams the arrangement of a system in accordance with the invention in various compartments of a thermal engine of which the cylinders are arranged “in line”,

(5) FIG. 4 diagrams the arrangement of a system in accordance with the invention in various compartments of a thermal engine of which the cylinders are arranged in a “V” shape,

(6) FIG. 5 diagrams another arrangement of a system in accordance with the invention in various compartments of a thermal engine of which the cylinders are arranged in a “V” shape

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) In reference to FIG. 2, the system object of the invention comprises at least one electronic control unit 30.sub.a, 30.sub.b, 30.sub.c. Each one of these units integrates one or several processors or microprocessors as well as a memory zone wherein are stored computer programs comprising instructions which, when they are executed by said processor or microprocessor, make it possible to perform the functionalities and steps described hereinafter, and in particular the acquisition of the various pieces of information emitted by the various sensors and/or the transmission of control information to the antenna 20.sub.a, 20.sub.b, 20.sub.c to which it is connected.

(8) In FIG. 2, the engine M comprises several compartments M.sub.a, M.sub.b, M.sub.c. The arrangement of the system in the compartment M.sub.a shall now be described. The electronic control unit 30.sub.a is connected to a single antenna 20.sub.a.

(9) The latter can be directly integrated into the case of the unit 30.sub.a or be offset, in which case the communication is carried out by the intermediary of a wired or wireless connection using a communication protocol known to those skilled in the art (radio waves, wifi, Bluetooth, etc.). The antenna 20.sub.a used is for example a “¼ wave” antenna or PIFA (Planar Inverted-F Antenna).

(10) Although in the systems of prior art, each antenna is generally associated with a single SAW sensor, the invention now proposes to have the antenna 20.sub.a communicate with several SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment wherein three SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 are arranged in the compartment M.sub.a. A lower number (for example two SAW sensors) or higher number of sensors can however be considered. The SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 are located on parts of the engine which are in general mobile and of which the physical and/or analog parameters need to be monitored. In FIG. 2, the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 are positioned on a cylinder C of a thermal engine of the diesel type. A first sensor 10.sub.1 is positioned on the piston P, a second sensor 10.sub.2 on the connecting rod B and a third sensor 10.sub.3 on the crankshaft V. Each sensor SAW 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 comprises a “mobile” antenna—since it is arranged on a part of the engine that is mobile—that is specific to it. These “mobile” antennas are configured to receive the signals emitted by the antenna 20.sub.a and in order to emit, in the direction of said antenna 20.sub.a, response signals.

(11) The SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 each have a distinct resonance frequency specific to them. The unit 30.sub.a integrates an emitter that simultaneously sends several electromagnetic call up signals to the antenna 20.sub.a, with each one of said signals having a frequency close to the resonance frequency of the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3. The antenna 20.sub.a is as such configured to emit several loops of distinct frequencies (one per SAW sensor). The signals received by then emitted by the antenna 20.sub.a are transmitted to the “mobile” antennas of the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3, then converted into surface acoustic waves that propagate on the surface of the substrates used by said SAW sensors. The properties of these surface waves, and in particular their wavelength, are modified according to the physical and/or analog parameters (temperature, pressure, stress, deformation, position in space, etc.) of the parts whereon the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 are arranged. These parameters more particularly affect the resonance frequency of each SAW sensor 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3. The latter reemit to the antenna 20.sub.a a response signal at a specific resonance frequency that carries the information linked to the parameters to be monitored. In other terms, the response of the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 is a variation in frequency according to the parameters to be monitored, which is more advantageous than a principle based on delay lines. The response signals received by the antenna 20.sub.a are then transferred to the unit 30.sub.a which incorporates a suitable receiver configured to extract the information sought according to the frequencies that are actually received. The unit 30.sub.a can as such call up the various SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 by the intermediary of the single antenna 20.sub.a.

(12) According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the antenna 20.sub.a uses ISM frequencies to communicate with the sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3. The ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) bands are frequency bands of which the use for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar applications, is admitted without any request for authorization with the authorities[ ]. For the European Union, the ISM frequency bands are defined in standard EN 55011 and for the USA, by the publication FCC Part 18. Using the ISM frequency bands authorizes a reading distance that can range up to 100 cm, according to the positioning of the SAW sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 in the engine and the geometry of the latter. Using low ISM frequencies, or close to these frequencies, i.e. between 433 MHz and 445 MHz, allows for better performance with regards to problems of reflection, diffraction and absorption of electromagnetic waves in the metal environment of the housing of the engine. Other types of frequencies suitable to those skilled in the art could however be used, in particular ISM frequencies, or close to these frequencies, between 866 MHz and 890 MHz. These higher ISM frequencies make it possible to reduce the size of the antennas, in such a way that the monitoring system object of the invention can be installed in smaller engines.

(13) The antenna 20.sub.a can also use other frequencies that are very close to the ISM frequencies. Indeed, certain SAW sensors can have frequencies that are located slightly beyond the ISM bands (from 0.5 MHz to 10 MHz for example), due to a possible “Faraday cage” effect of compartments M.sub.a, M.sub.b, M.sub.c. In order to communicate with the sensors 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, 10.sub.3 that are associated with it, the antenna 20.sub.a can for example use frequencies between 423 MHz and 435 MHz and which are close to low ISM frequencies, or frequencies between 846 MHz and 870 MHz and which are close to high ISM frequencies.

(14) FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show examples of uses that can be made of the system object of the invention, aiming to measure for example the temperature in the bearings and crankpins of crankshafts in an engine M of the diesel type, or of the Otto type if it is a gas engine. It is understood that other parameters such as: pressure, stress, deformation or position in space can be monitored. In FIG. 3, les cylinders of the engine are arranged “in line” while in the FIGS. 4 and 5, they are in a “V-shaped” configuration.

(15) Each antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f, is connected, alone or in pairs, to an electronic control unit 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f. In the example shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the engine M is compartmentalized. Each compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f comprises: an electronic control unit 30.sub.a, . . . , 30f each one associated with a single antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20f, (FIGS. 3 and 4) or to two (FIG. 5), each one of said antennas communicates with SAW sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f placed directly inside the compartments, on the parts of which the physical and/or analog parameters need to be monitored. In the case of an “in line” machine configuration (FIG. 3), there are for example SAW sensors for temperature 10.sub.1a, . . . , 10.sub.1f on the pistons, SAW sensors for temperature 10.sub.2a, . . . , 10.sub.f on the connecting rods and SAW sensors for temperature 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.3f on the crankshaft bearings. In the case of a “V-shaped” machine configuration (FIGS. 4 and 5), there are for example SAW sensors for temperature 10.sub.1a, . . . , 10.sub.1f on the one hand and 10.sub.2a, . . . , 10.sub.2f on the other hand, on the connecting rods of the pairs of cylinders that are facing each other, and SAW sensors for temperature 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.3F on the crankshaft bearings. Each part to be monitored is therefore provided with a sensor 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show an embodiment wherein three SAW sensors are arranged per engine compartment. A smaller number (for example two SAW sensors) or higher number of sensors can however be considered.

(16) The sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, are arranged in the various compartments M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f in such a way that sensors located in one compartment cannot communicate with an antenna connected to an electronic control unit arranged in another compartment, and more specifically in a neighboring compartment. In practice, these sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, are arranged in the various compartments M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f, according to their resonance frequency. In order to optimize the quality of the measurements, each antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f is installed inside a compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f. In other terms, an antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f is installed inside each of the compartments M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f. The units 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f can each be installed outside or inside the compartments M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f.

(17) Each antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f preferentially calls up only the SAW sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f located in its engine compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f. Each antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f remains inactive with respect to the neighboring compartment or compartments due to frequencies that are different from those used in its own compartment. There is therefore no risk of interference with the other antennas installed in the other compartments and in particular the immediately neighboring compartments. More particularly, in the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each unit 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f is connected to a single antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f specific to it. Each unit (for example 30.sub.c) communicates simultaneously, by the intermediary of its antenna (for example 20.sub.c), with all of the sensors (for example 10.sub.1c, 10.sub.2c, 10.sub.3c) which are located in its engine compartment (for example M.sub.c).

(18) In the example shown in FIG. 5, each unit 30.sub.ab, 30.sub.cd, 30.sub.ef is connected to two antennas 20.sub.a-20.sub.b, 20.sub.c-20.sub.d, 20.sub.e-20.sub.f, with each one of these antennas being installed inside a compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f that is dedicated to it. Each unit (for example 30.sub.ab) communicates simultaneously, by the intermediary of the pair of antennas to which it is connected (for example 20.sub.a-20.sub.b), with all of the sensors (for example 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a and 10.sub.1b, 10.sub.2b, 10.sub.3b) which are located in the engine compartments in which said antennas are integrated (for example M.sub.a and M.sub.b).

(19) In order to prevent any harmful interference between the signals emitted by the various antennas 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f in the engine M, a special bandwidth is allocated to each of them which allows them, for example, to emit three loops of distinct frequencies inside the same compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f provided with three SAW sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f. More particularly, in reference to the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the antenna, for example 20.sub.a, that is connected to the unit 30.sub.a arranged in the compartment M.sub.a, emits frequencies in a predefined frequency band (for example 433 MHz to 439 MHz) which is different from the frequency band (for example 439 MHz to 445 MHz) in which emits the antenna 20.sub.b connected to the unit 30.sub.b arranged in another compartment M.sub.b. The unit 30.sub.a is not able as such to communicate with the sensors 10.sub.1b, 10.sub.2b, 10.sub.3b which are located in the neighboring compartment M.sub.b.

(20) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the antennas, for example 20.sub.a and 20b, which are connected in pairs to the unit 30.sub.ab, and which are arranged respectively in the compartment M.sub.a and in the compartment M.sub.b, each emit frequencies in a predefined frequency band. The unit 30.sub.ab controls these antennas in such a way that the frequency band in which emits the antenna 20.sub.a is different from the frequency band in which emits the antenna 20.sub.b. The unit 30.sub.ab is as such able to communicate with the sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a on the one hand, and 10.sub.1b, 10.sub.2b, 10.sub.3b on the other hand which are located respectively in the compartments M.sub.a and M.sub.b. The unit 30.sub.ab is not however able to communicate with the sensors 10.sub.1c, 10.sub.2c, 10.sub.3c which are located in the compartment M.sub.c.

(21) Preferentially, the antennas 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f communicate with “n” SAW sensors per compartment, thanks to “2×n” pre-established distinct frequencies.

(22) The units 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f, 30.sub.ab, . . . , 30.sub.ef, are advantageously connected together by digital communication cables 4. And at least one of these units (for example 30.sub.f or 30.sub.ef) is connected to monitoring equipment 6 in such a way that all of said units can communicate with this equipment. The monitoring equipment 6 is for example a computer whereon all of the information received by the various units 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f, 30.sub.ab, . . . , 30.sub.ef, is viewed and/or processed and/or analyzed. The units 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f, 30.sub.ab, . . . , 30.sub.ef, can also communicate with the monitoring equipment by the intermediary of digital buses that operate thanks to communication protocols such as CANopen, SAE J1939, Modbus, etc. Since on the one hand the system object of the invention comprises a single antenna per compartment and on the other hand, the electronic control units are connected together and to the monitoring equipment by a digital communication cable or a digital bus, said system reduces the constraints linked to the cabling by optimizing the space that is devoted to it, both inside and outside the engine.

(23) The SAW sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f, arranged in the same compartment can emit frequencies in a band of frequencies different from those emitted by the surface acoustic wave sensors arranged in another neighboring compartment. As such, any harmful interference between the signals emitted in return by SAW sensors of immediately neighboring compartments, and therefore physically close, is avoided. To do this, a specific bandwidth can be allocated to each one of the SAW sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, 10.sub.3f, which allows them, for example, to emit in return to each one of the antennas 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f three distinct narrow bands inside the same compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f, provided with three SAW sensors. In order to optimize the energy required for the operation of the installation, the bandwidth allocated to each one of the SAW sensors is preferentially narrow, for example defined over an interval (or increment) of 2 MHz. More particularly, by referring to the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a that communicate with the antenna 20.sub.a connected to the unit 30.sub.a, and which are arranged in the compartment M.sub.a, emit in return frequencies in predefined frequency bands, respectively for example 433 MHz to 435 MHz, 435 MHz to 437 MHz, and 437 MHz to 439 MHz. These frequency bands are different from the frequency bands (for example 439 MHz to 441 MHz, 441 MHz to 443 MHz, and 443 MHz to 445 MHz) in which emit in return the sensors 10.sub.1b, 10.sub.2b, 10.sub.3b to the antenna 20.sub.b connected to the unit 30.sub.b, and arranged in the neighboring compartment M.sub.b. The unit 30.sub.a is not disturbed as such by the sensors 10.sub.1b, 10.sub.2b, 10.sub.3b which are located in the compartment M.sub.b. In this configuration, it is no longer necessary for an antenna 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f that is installed in a compartment M.sub.a, . . . , M.sub.f, to emit frequencies in a predefined frequency band which is different from the frequency band in which emits the antenna arranged in another compartment. Indeed, all of the antennas 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f can each simultaneously emit several distinct frequencies covering all of the resonance frequencies of all of the sensors 10.sub.1a, 10.sub.2a, 10.sub.3a, . . . , 10.sub.1f, 10.sub.2f, including, but not only, the frequencies close to the resonance frequencies of the sensors which are located in the compartment which is dedicated to them. All of the antennas 20.sub.a, . . . , 20.sub.f are as such identical and dimensioned to be able to emit the same wide band frequency spectrum. It is the units 30.sub.a, . . . , 30.sub.f which are configured to read the various frequencies in return from the sensors.

(24) The embodiments of the invention shown hereinabove were chosen with regards to their concrete nature. It would however not be possible to list in a complete manner all of the embodiments that this invention covers. In particular, any step or means described can be replaced with an equivalent step or means, without leaving the scope of this invention.