HYDRAULIC CYLINDER HEALTH MONITORING AND REMAINING LIFE SYSTEM

• Main Authors: Chen, Dayao, Patel, Kalpeshkumar N
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.08.2019
• Subjects: BLASTING; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVO-MOTORS; HEATING; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A monitoring system includes a hydraulic cylinder including a piston movably disposed therein. At least one seal is provided within the hydraulic cylinder. A head end pressure sensor is configured to monitor pressure of a hydraulic fluid in a head space. A rod end pressure sensor is configured to monitor pressure of the fluid in a rod space. A displacement sensor is configured to monitor the position of the piston. A temperature sensor is disposed and configured to monitor the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. An electronic control unit is in communication with the sensors and programmed to in response to receiving pressure signals from the pressure sensors, position signals from the position sensor, and temperature signals from the temperature sensor, determine a wear volume of the at least one seal; and compare the wear volume of the at least one seal to a predetermined threshold wear volume of the at least one seal to determine the remaining useful life of the hydraulic cylinder.