System and method for health determination of a machine component

Abstract

A system for determining health of a component is provided. The system includes an operational parameter module associated with the component and in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to receive an operating parameter signal from the operational parameter module. The controller is configured to monitor a change of the operating parameter over a predetermined time period. The controller is configured to compare the monitored operating parameter with a first predetermined threshold. The controller is configured to determine a rate of change of the monitored operating parameter over the predetermined time period. The controller is also configured to compare the determined rate of change with a second predetermined threshold. The controller is further configured to determine the health of the component based, at least in part, on the comparisons with the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively and one or more additional parameters associated with the component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining health of a component, the system comprising:
 an operational parameter module associated with the component, the operational parameter module configured to generate an operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of the component; and   a controller in communication with the operational parameter module, the controller configured to
 receive the operating parameter signal from the operational parameter module; 
 monitor a change of the operating parameter over a predetermined time period; 
 compare the monitored operating parameter with a first predetermined threshold; 
 determine a rate of change of the monitored operating parameter over the predetermined time period; 
 compare the determined rate of change with a second predetermined threshold; and 
 determine the health of the component based, at least in part, on the comparisons with the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively and one or more additional parameters associated with the component. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a velocity and a load on the component. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a failure of the component based on exceeding the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide a notification indicative of the determined health of the component. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an output device communicably coupled to the controller. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the output device includes at least one of a monitor, a screen, a display panel and a speaker. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a fuel pump and the one or more additional parameters include at least one of a level of fuel in a tank, an ambient temperature and a type of fuel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational parameter module further comprises:
 a first operational parameter module configured to generate a first operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an inlet of the component; and   a second operational parameter module configured to generate a second operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an outlet of the component.   
     
     
         9 . A method for determining health of a component, the method comprising:
 receiving an operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of the component;   monitoring a change of the operating parameter over a predetermined time period;   comparing the monitored operating parameter with a first predetermined threshold;   determining a rate of change of the monitored operating parameter over the predetermined time period;   comparing the determined rate of change with a second predetermined threshold; and   determining the health of the component based, at least in part, on the comparisons with the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively and one or more additional parameters associated with the component.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a velocity and a load on the component. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the component is a fuel pump and the one or more additional parameters include at least one of a level of fuel in a tank, an ambient temperature and a type of fuel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein determining the health of the component further comprises:
 determining a failure of the component based on exceeding the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 providing a notification indicative of the determined health of the component. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein receiving the operating parameter signal further comprises:
 receiving a first operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an inlet of the component; and   receiving a second operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an outlet of the component.   
     
     
         15 . A system for determining health of a component, the system comprising:
 a means for generating an operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of the component;   a means for receiving the operating parameter signal from an operational parameter module;   a means for monitoring a change of the operating parameter over a predetermined time period;   a means for comparing the monitored operating parameter with a first predetermined threshold;   a means for determining a rate of change of the monitored operating parameter over the predetermined time period;   a means for comparing the determined rate of change with a second predetermined threshold; and   a means for determining the health of the component based, at least in part, on the comparisons with the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively and one or more additional parameters associated with the component.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a velocity and a load on the component. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the component is a fuel pump and the one or more additional parameters include at least one of a level of fuel in a tank, an ambient temperature and a type of fuel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means for determining the health of the component further comprises:
 a means for determining a failure of the component based on exceeding the first and second predetermined thresholds respectively.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a means for providing a notification indicative of the determined health of the component. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means for generating the operating parameter signal further comprises:
 a means for generating a first operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an inlet of the component; and   a means for generating a second operating parameter signal indicative of an operating parameter of an outlet of the component.