Method for implementing vibration suppression system under control from a remote site

Abstract

A method of implementing vibration suppression at equipment residing at a local site is provided. The method comprises transmitting a prompt from a remote site to the local site, automatically sensing vibration response information from the equipment in response to the prompt, and transmitting the sensed vibration response information to the remote site. The method further comprises analyzing the sensed vibration response information at the remote site, and creating a vibration suppression algorithm based on the analyzed information. Another prompt is then transmitted from the remote site to the local site, and in response thereto, vibrations are induced within the equipment at the local site in accordance with the vibration suppression algorithm, and additional vibration response information from the equipment is sensed. The additional vibration response information is transmitted to, and analyzed at, the remote site, where a modified vibration suppression algorithm is created and transmitted to the local site for suppression of vibrations in the equipment.

1 . A method of implementing vibration suppression on equipment residing at a local site, comprising: 
 transmitting a prompt from a remote site to the local site to automatically cause vibration response information to be sensed from the equipment;    analyzing the vibration response information; creating a vibration suppression algorithm based on the analysis; and storing the vibration suppression algorithm in software for use at the local site.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein normal operation of the equipment is highly sensitive to vibration.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prompt is transmitted from the remote site to the local site over a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration response information is analyzed and the vibration suppression algorithm is created at the remote site.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prompt causes probe vibrations to be induced at equipment.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically acquiring the vibration response information at the remote site in response to the prompt.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting another prompt from the remote site to the local site to automatically cause the vibration suppression algorithm to be programmed into control circuitry residing at the local site.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 transmitting another prompt from the remote site to the local site to automatically cause vibrations to be induced at equipment in accordance with the vibration suppression algorithm and to automatically cause additional vibration response information to be sensed from the equipment;    analyzing the additional vibration response information; and    modifying the vibration suppression algorithm based on the additional analysis.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising automatically acquiring the additional vibration response information at the remote site in response to the other prompt.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting still another prompt from the remote site to the local site to automatically program the modified vibration suppression algorithm into control circuitry residing at the local site.  
   
   
       11 . A method of implementing vibration suppression at equipment residing at a local site, comprising: 
 receiving a prompt from a remote site;    automatically sensing vibration response information from the equipment in response to the prompt;    transmitting the sensed vibration response information to the remote site;    receiving a vibration suppression algorithm from the remote site; and    inducing vibrations in the equipment in accordance with the vibration suppression algorithm.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein normal operation of the equipment is highly sensitive to vibration.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the prompt is received from the remote site over a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising inducing probe vibrations in the equipment in response to the first prompt.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sensed vibration response information is automatically transmitted to the remote site in response to the prompt.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving another prompt from the remote site, wherein the vibrations are automatically induced in the equipment in response to the other prompt.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 automatically sensing additional vibration response information from the equipment in response to the other prompt;    transmitting the additional sensed vibration response information to the remote site;    receiving a modified vibration suppression algorithm from the remote site; and    programming the modified vibration suppression algorithm into control circuitry residing at the local site.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving still another prompt from the remote site, wherein the control circuitry is automatically programmed with the modified vibration suppression algorithm in response to the still other prompt.