Detecting Damage Using an Odor Sensor

Abstract

A method for detecting damage to one or more components of a fluid-conducting device such as a pump assembly, valve or the like uses at least one odor sensor to detect an odor produced by one of the components and transmit an odor profile to an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit compares the odor profile with one or more characteristic odor profiles to determine whether an odor indicative of a degraded component is present. If the detected odor profile matches a characteristic odor profile match, an output signal is generated in an output unit.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A method for detecting damage to at least one component of a fluid-conducting device, comprising the steps of: detecting using at least one odor sensor an odorous substance produced by the at least one component; transmitting a signal corresponding to an odor profile of the odorous substance from the at least one odor sensor to an evaluation unit; comparing using the evaluation unit the detected odor profile with one or more characteristic odor profiles; generating an output signal if the evaluation unit determines the detected odor profile corresponds at least one of the one or more characteristic odor profiles.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one component includes a sliding ring seal assembly.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one component includes a bearing.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one components includes a shaft coupling.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one odor sensor is a plurality of odor sensors, and the at least component is a plurality of components, and each of the plurality of odor sensors is associated with a respective one of the plurality of components.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more characteristic odor profiles are stored in a memory of the evaluation unit.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the output signal is one or both of a graphic and an acoustic signal.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one odor sensor is fixed in or on the fluid-conducting device.

19. An apparatus for detecting damage to at least one component of a fluid-conducting device, comprising: at least one odor sensor; an evaluation unit; and an output unit; wherein the at least one odor sensor is configured to detect an odorous substance produced by the at least one component and transmit a signal corresponding to an odor profile of the odorous substance to the evaluation unit, the evaluation unit is configured to compare the detected odor profile with one or more characteristic odor profiles; and the output unit is configured to generate an output signal if the evaluation unit determines the detected odor profile corresponds at least one of the one or more characteristic odor profiles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a fluid-conducting device in the form of a pump assembly, and

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic set-up of an apparatus for carrying out the method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a fluid-conducting device 1, by way of example in the form of a pump assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, the device is a single-stage centrifugal pump with a shaft 2. The shaft 2 can be driven in rotation about a longitudinal center axis A extending in the axial direction. The shaft 2 carries an impeller 3 at one end. The impeller 3 is enclosed by a hydraulic housing 4 with a housing cover 5 arranged thereon. The hydraulic housing 4 has an inlet opening 6 for drawing in a conveyed medium, and an outlet opening 7 for discharging the conveyed medium. The housing cover 5 is arranged on the side of the hydraulic housing 4 opposite the inlet opening 6.

[0024] The shaft 2 extends from a flow chamber 8, delimited by the hydraulic housing 4 and the housing cover 5, through the housing cover 5 and through a bearing carrier housing 9, which is fastened to the housing cover 5. The bearing carrier housing 9 has, close to the housing cover 5, a first receiving region 10 in which there is arranged a component 11 to be monitored in the form of a sliding ring seal assembly 12. In a second receiving region 13 remote from the housing cover 5 there are arranged a shaft seal system 14 and a component 11 to be monitored in the form of a bearing 15 configured as a rolling bearing. The bearing carrier housing 9 and also the sliding ring seal assembly 12 and the shaft seal system 14 with the bearing 15 define a chamber 16.

[0025] The end of the shaft 2 opposite the impeller 3 is guided out of the bearing carrier housing 9 and attached to a drive shaft of a motor, not shown, in particular an electric motor.

[0026] By way of example of a possible arrangement of odor sensors, a first odor sensor 17 and a second odor sensor 18 are shown. The odor sensor 17 is connected via a connecting line 19 to an evaluation unit 20. The evaluation unit 20 has a memory 21. The odor sensor 18 has a transmitter or transceiver 22 or is connected to such a transmitter or transceiver, and transmits the data via radio to the evaluation unit 20. The evaluation unit 20 can have means, not shown, which permit an output signal in the form of a graphic and/or acoustic signal. Alternatively and/or in addition, the evaluation unit 20 can forward, or transmit, an output signal to another output unit 24 shown in FIG. 2 via a connection line or via radio, for example to a computer or a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, tablet, etc.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic set-up of an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention. The component 11 is part of a fluid-conducting device 1 and represents, for example, a sliding ring seal, a bearing or a shaft coupling. If the component 11 is damaged, it emits an odorous substance 23, which can be detected by means of an odor sensor 17, 18. The odor sensor 17 or 18 is arranged in close proximity to the component 11 so that any damage can be detected at an early stage.

[0028] As soon as the component 11 emits an odorous substance 23, this is detected by the odor sensor 17 or 18 and its odor profile is transmitted to the evaluation unit 20. Transmission of the odor profile can take place, as illustrated, via the connecting line 19 or via radio. A large number of characteristic odor profiles are stored in the memory 21 of the evaluation unit 20. These characteristic odor profiles are odor profiles which can be associated with different types of damage. These types of damage are directly dependent on the monitored component 11.

[0029] The evaluation unit 20 compares the odor profile detected by the odor sensor 17 or 18 with the characteristic odor profiles stored in the memory 21. If the detected odor profile of an odorous substance 23 matches one of the characteristic odor profiles, a signal is transmitted to an output unit 24, which generates an output signal. The output unit 24 is either part of the evaluation unit 20 or is a separate unit which can be connected to the evaluation unit 20 via a connection line or via radio. The output unit can be, for example, a computer or a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, tablet, etc.

[0030] The output signal can be, for example, an acoustic or a graphic signal. It is, however, in principle also possible that both an acoustic and a graphic output signal are generated.