METHOD FOR MONITORING A SCREW CENTRIFUGE

Abstract

A method for monitoring a screw centrifuge, such as a solid-bowl or a screen-type screw centrifuge. The screw centrifuge processes a product so that solids conveyed out of the drum with the screw are removed from the product. A current angular speed and an average angular speed of the transmission input shaft for the screw over time are determined. The current and average angular speeds are evaluated and a warning signal and/or changing one or more operating parameters of the screw centrifuge is changed if dynamic changes in the angular speed are detected during the evaluation.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method for monitoring a screw centrifuge, the method comprising: a) providing a screw centrifuge, which comprises a rotatable drum, a rotatable screw arranged in the rotatable drum, a main or primary motor at least for driving the rotatable drum, a drive motor for driving the rotatable screw, which is the main or primary motor or a secondary motor, a transmission arranged between the main or primary motor or the main or primary and the secondary motors and the rotatable drum and the rotatable screw, and transmission input shafts for the main or primary motor and the drive motor for the rotatable screw, wherein one or more pulse-generators are arranged at least on one of the transmission input shafts for the rotatable screw, and a proximity-sensor is assigned to each of the one or more pulse generators, and processing a product with the screw centrifuge to separate solids from the product and convey the separated solids out of the rotatable drum by the rotatable screw; b) determining a current angular velocity and a mean angular velocity of the one of the transmission input shafts for the rotatable screw over time; c) evaluating the measurements from step b); and d) outputting a warning signal and/or varying one or more operating parameters of the screw centrifuge, responsive to a determination that dynamic changes of angular velocity are occurring during the evaluation of the measurements in step c).

16. A method for monitoring a screw centrifuge, the method comprising: a) providing the screw centrifuge, which comprises a rotatable drum, a rotatable screw arranged in the rotatable drum, a primary motor configured to drive the rotatable drum, and a secondary motor configured to drive the rotatable screw, and a transmission arranged between the primary and second motors and the rotatable drum and the rotatable screw, transmission input shafts for the primary motor and the secondary motor, an elastic element between an output shaft of the secondary motor and the transmission input shaft for the secondary motor, wherein pulse-generators are arranged on both sides of the elastic element on the output shaft of the secondary motor and on the transmission input shaft, to each of which there are assigned proximity-sensors, and processing a product with the screw centrifuge so that solids are separated from the product and the separated solids are conveyed out of the rotatable drum by the rotatable screw; b) measuring a relative angular offset over time between the output shaft and the transmission input shaft on both sides of the elastic element connecting the output shaft and the transmission input shaft; c) evaluating the measurements from step b); and d) outputting a warning signal and/or varying of one or more operating parameters of the screw centrifuge responsive to a determination that dynamic changes of angular offset are occurring during the evaluation of the measurements in step c).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a torque-dependent twist-angle of the elastic element between the output shaft of the secondary motor and the transmission input shaft is measured on both sides of the elastic element with high temporal resolution, and that changes of the torque-dependent twist-angle are identified.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic element is a coupling.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pulse-generators are arranged on the output shaft for the secondary motor and the transmission input shaft in a fixed angular relationship.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic element is a drive belt.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the pulse-generators are arranged on the output shaft for the secondary motor and the transmission input shaft in a fixed angular relationship.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the pulse-generators are arranged on the output shaft for the secondary motor and the transmission input shaft with a phase shift between 0 and 360.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the pulse-generators are configured in such a manner during rotation of the output shaft one pulse or two or more pulses of the pulse-generators are sensed per revolution.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein output signals of the proximity-sensors are read by a controller, which with a software measuring program constitutes a measuring system, at a sampling-rate or sampling-frequency that is greater than a frequency of revolution of the transmission input shaft.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the sampling-rate for a screw speed between 1000/min and 10,000/min corresponds to between 2.5 kHz and 250 kHz.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein the measurements of the angular offset between the output shaft and the transmission input shaft are evaluated in step c) based on a mathematical transformation method.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the mathematical transformation method is a fast Fourier transform.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein in step d) a change of a difference in rotational speed, of a rotational speed of the rotatable drum, or of a product feed quantity occurs.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein in step d) a shutdown of the screw centrifuge occurs responsive to determining in step c) that a limiting value is exceeded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] The invention will be discussed in more detail in the following with reference to the drawing on the basis of embodiments. Shown are:

[0018] FIG. 1 in a), a schematic side view of a portion of a solid-bowl screw centrifuge with its drive and with a monitoring device; in c), an enlargement of a detail from a); and, in b), a sectional view of the arrangement from c) along line A-A from c), in each instance for implementing a first variant of an alternative monitoring method;

[0019] FIG. 2 a measurement diagram for illustrating a measurement carried out with the monitoring device;

[0020] FIGS. 3, 4 further diagrams for illustrating the invention; and

[0021] FIG. 5 a schematic side view of a portion of a further solid-bowl screw centrifuge with its drive and with an alternatively configured monitoring device for implementing an alternative monitoring method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] FIG. 1a shows a portion of a solid-bowl screw centrifugehereinafter called screw centrifuge for shortwith a rotatable drum 1 with a rotation axis D, which here is a horizontal rotation axis D. A likewise rotatable screw 2 is arranged in the drum 1. The drum is arranged between a drive-side drum bearing and a drum bearing facing away from the drive, of which only the drive-side drum bearing 3 is represented here. Additionally, for the sake of comprehension in this respect, reference is made, by way of example, to DE 10 2006 028 804 A1 which shows a complete drum and also the further drum bearing.

[0023] The screw centrifuge includes a centrifuge drive 4 for rotating the drum 1 and the screw 2. For this purpose, the centrifuge drive 4 includes a primary motor 5 and a secondary motor 6also called a variable-speed motorand also a transmission 7, arranged between the motors 5, 6 and the drum 1 and the screw 2, into which, in operation, both motors 5, 6 feed a torque. If a secondary motor 6 is not present, the one motor that is then present is called the main motor and not the primary motor.

[0024] In this case, by way of example the main or primary motor 5 is coupled via a belt-type drive 8 with a first input shaft 9 of the transmission 7, and the variable-speed motor 6 is coupled via an output shaft 10 and an elastic coupling 12 with a preferentially second transmission input shaft 11 of the transmission 7.

[0025] A control device 13 actuates the motors 5, 6, to which it is connected in wireless manner or via lines 14, 15.

[0026] The design of the transmission 7 and of the control device 13 is preferentially such that a difference in rotational speed between the rotational speed of the drum 1 and the rotational speed of the screw 2 is adjustable in operation.

[0027] In operation, a dependence of the difference in rotational speed between the drum 1 and the screw 2 on the slippage and on the loading-state of the screw centrifuge cannot be avoided. Under, for the most part, indeterminate operating conditions in the course of the conveying of the centrifuged solids by the screw 2, the stick-slip effect discussed above arises, associated with strong surges of torque.

[0028] For the purpose of early detection of the onset of the effect, the screw centrifuge is provided with a monitoring device or a measuring system. This monitoring device makes it possible to measure atorque-dependenttwist-angle of an elastic elementhere, the coupling 12between the output shaft 10 of the secondary motor 6 and the transmission input shaft 11 with high temporal resolution, and to detect changes (in particular, harmonic changes) of this angle.

[0029] For this purpose, the monitoring device includes two or more proximity-sensors 18, 19, linked to the control device 13, and pulse-generators 16, 17 respectively assigned to the proximity-sensors.

[0030] Pulse-generator 16 has been arranged on the output shaft 10 of the secondary motor 6 and configured in such a way that one signal or two or more signals is/are capable of being sensed per revolution. For instance, pins have been arranged or formed on shaft 10 at two points on shaft 10 that are offset by 180 in relation to one another. Assigned to pulse-generator 16 is proximity-sensor 18 which has been arranged in such a manner and which has been designed in such a manner that in the course of rotations of the output shaft 10here, per revolutionit senses one pulse of pulse-generator 16 or, per revolution, two or more pulses of the pulse-generators 16, 16.

[0031] Pulse-generator 17, on the other hand, has been arranged on the transmission input shaft 11 and configured, in turn (like pulse-generator 16), in such a way that one signal or two or more signals are capable of being sensed per revolution. Assigned to pulse-generator 17 for this purpose is proximity-sensor 19, which has been arranged in such a manner and which has been designed in such a manner that in the course of rotations of the transmission input shaft 11here, per revolutionit senses one pulse of pulse-generator 17 or, per revolution, two or more pulses of the pulse-generators 17, 17.

[0032] The pulse-generators 17, 16 have been arranged on the two shafts 10 and 11 in a fixed angular relationship, for instance with a phase shiftthat is to say, with a corresponding angular offset. By way of example, this angular offset amounts to 90 (see FIGS. 1a to 1c).

[0033] Since the pulse-generators or initiators 16, 17 have been arranged on both sides of the elastic elementhere, the coupling 12in this way it is possible to record the angular offset between the pulse-generators 17, 16 over time. The proximity-sensors 18, 19 (which have been designed, for instance, as inductive proximity-sensors, Hall sensors, or reed-type contact sensors) are for this purpose monitored by the control device 13, which with a suitable software measuring program constitutes a measuring system, at a sufficiently high sampling-rate or sampling-frequency. This sampling-rate amounts to 100 kHz, for instance.

[0034] Based on the measurement signals of the proximity-sensors 18, 19 linked to the control device 13, the current angular offset between the pulse-generators 16, 17 in operation is determined during the rotation of the drum 1 and the screw 2. Without torque loading, the measured angular offset coincides with that in the case of a reference measurement that was recorded, for instance, at the time of an initial installation of the machine (for example, 90 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

[0035] On the other hand, a temporally constant torque leads to a static deflection of the coupling 12 and therefore to a different phase shift or angular offset. This static angular offset is of no significance for the onset of the stick-slip effect.

[0036] Rather, in the event of an onset of the stick-slip effect a dynamic torque arises which brings about a dynamic change of the angular offset between the output shaft 10 and the transmission input shaft 11. This dynamic change of the angular offset is relevant here.

[0037] Depending on the number of pulses that each of the pulse-generators 16, 17 provides per revolution, it is possible for the angular offset between the pulse-generators 16, 17 to be determined, even several times per revolution of the shafts 10, 11.

[0038] For instance, in the case of two pulse-generators 16, 16 and 17, 17 in each instance and a phase offset of 90 between the four pulse-generators, four angular offsets can be ascertained per revolution of the shafts 10, 11.

[0039] These angular offsets are ascertained with the aid of the proximity-sensors 18, 19 and the control device 13, and are recorded over a period of time, and then an amplitude spectrum or the amplitude spectrum of the sequence is ascertained via a transformation, for instance an FFT (fast Fourier transform). In the case of an evaluation of four angular offsets per revolution, it is possible for oscillations up to a frequency of twice the rotational speed of the motor to be detected.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, a measurement such as arises without load and without stick-slip effect. There is no twisting of the coupling 12, and the signals of the proximity-sensors 18, 19, which each arise twice per revolution, are received with a phase offset of exactly 90.

[0041] Under load, on the other hand, the flexible coupling 12 becomes twisted, so that the relative angular position of the shafts 10 and 11 in relation to one another varies. This variation is analyzable.

[0042] FIGS. 3 to 4 illustrate the method according to the invention on the basis of exemplary measurements.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows, in the upper region, angular offsets that were ascertained on the basis of measurement signals of the proximity-sensors 18, 19 in ten seconds. The two pulse-generators 16, 17 are offset here in relation to one another by about 60 and provide two pulses per revolution. Only two of the possible four angular offsets are evaluated per revolution in the example; as a result, 242 measured angular offsets arise in ten seconds (upper third of FIG. 3).

[0044] The angular offset in the example lies alternately above and below 60. This is due to the fact that in the case of one of the pulse-generators 16, 17 the two edges are not situated 180 opposite of each other, but this is of no significance for the evaluation, since this frequency is just no longer detectable.

[0045] In the lower region of FIG. 3 the calculated amplitude spectra of the 242 values are represented, the last 10 seconds having been evaluated on the left, and only the last 2 seconds on the right.

[0046] It is conceivable to evaluate only the rising edges of FIG. 2. Though if the pulses are chosen to be longer (for example, 45) it is advantageous to evaluate also the falling edges, since by this evaluation the number of measurements is doubled and the resolution of the measurement increases correspondingly.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows the same signals and evaluations for a state with an artificially generated oscillation having a frequency of 0.5 Hz. This is reflected quite clearly in the spectra. From the distinct amplitude excursions of the transformation over time it is possible to infer a temporally varying stick-slip effect between the drum 1 and the screw 2, which can be interpreted as an indicator of the stick-slip effect.

[0048] The described method can be used in principle for the most diverse decanters with driven or even braked transmission input shaft 11. In the case of drives with an elastic belt drive between the secondary motor 6 and the transmission input shaft, it is likewise conceivable to establish a dynamic angular deviation of the two belt pulleys from the normal gear ratio, and to ascertain the incipient stick-slip effect by an appropriate evaluation.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a set-up for realizing another variant for preventing the stick-slip effect.

[0050] According to this set-up, the main motor 5 is designed to drive the drum 1 and the screw 2. Therefore, two belt-type drives 8a, 8b are provided, which couple the main motor 5 both with the first input shaft 9 of the transmission 7 and directly with a second transmission input shaft 11 of the transmission 7.

[0051] The control device 13 serves for actuating the motor 5.

[0052] The design of the transmission 7 and of the control device 13 is preferentially such that a difference in rotational speed between the rotational speed of the drum 1 and the rotational speed of the screw 2 is adjustable in operation.

[0053] Here too, underfor the most partindeterminate operating conditions the stick-slip effect discussed above may arise in the course of the conveying of the centrifuged solids by the screw 2, associated with strong surges of torque.

[0054] For early detection of the onset of the effect, the screw centrifuge is provided with a variant of the monitoring device or, to be more exact, with a measuring system. This monitoring device makes it possible to measure torque-dependent fluctuations of the rotations of the transmission input shaft 11 with high temporal resolution, and to detect changes (in particular, harmonic changes) of this angle.

[0055] For this purpose, the monitoring device includes one or more proximity-sensors 18, linked to the control device 13, and pulse-generators 16 respectively assigned to said proximity-sensors.

[0056] Pulse-generator 16 has been arranged on the transmission input shaft 11 and configured in such a way that one signal or two or more signals are capable of being sensed per revolution.

[0057] In the course of the processing of a product with the screw centrifuge, in the course of which the product is separated from solids which are conveyed out of the drum 1 by the screw 2, a determination now takes placein advance in the load-free state and/or repeatedly at intervals or incessantly, again and again in operationof a mean angular velocity of the transmission input shaft for the screw over time. Then an evaluation of the measurements and an output of a warning signal and/or variation of one or more operating parameters of the screw centrifuge take place, to the extent that dynamic changes of angular velocity are ascertained in the course of the evaluation that satisfy a predetermined condition (for instance, an exceeding of a limiting value of the deviation). Also, in this way, an onset of the stick-slip effect can be detected in good time, and a progression of this effect can therefore, as a rule, be prevented at an early stage.

[0058] Also, in this variant of the monitoring method, the transmission input shaft 11 for the screw 2 could alternatively be driven by a secondary motor (with or without elastic element 12) instead of by a belt drive 8b.

[0059] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0060] Drum 1 [0061] Screw 2 [0062] Drum bearing 3 [0063] Centrifuge drive 4 [0064] Motor 5 [0065] Motor 6 [0066] Transmission 7 [0067] Belt-type drive 8 [0068] Input shaft 9 [0069] Output shaft 10 [0070] Input shaft 11 [0071] Coupling 12 [0072] Control device 13 [0073] Lines 14, 15 [0074] Pulse-generators 16, 16, 17, 17 [0075] Proximity-sensors 18, 19 [0076] Rotation axis D