Brian Mathew Howard

US Patent:

6937941, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Nov 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/718909

Inventors:

Roger A. Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

Bently Nevada, LLC - Minden NV

International Classification:

G01B003/00

US Classification:

702 33, 702126, 702189, 73660, 341122, 341126, 341155

Abstract:

A system for determining impulse events of an asset by sampling and digitizing a complex signal sensed by a transducer monitoring the asset into a digitized signal with a sampling device operatively coupled to the transducer, transforming the digitized signal into a plurality of maximum and minimum value pairs each pair having an associated location correlated to a relative movement of a moving member of the asset with a processor operatively coupled to the sampling device, and a monitor and/or a computerized condition monitor having the processor integrally formed therewith or operatively coupled thereto for comparing at least one of the plurality of maximum and minimum value pairs and its respective location to at least one known value for determining impulse events based on the comparison step for providing asset protection.

US Patent:

7418355, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Jan 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/324710

Inventors:

John W. Grant - Gardnerville NV, US
Olga Malakhova - Minden NV, US
Roger Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01F 17/00

US Classification:

702 56

Abstract:

A method for monitoring a condition of a piston rod of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The piston rod having a length defined between a piston end and a crosshead end. The method includes positioning a first probe with respect to the piston rod along a x-axis and positioning a second probe with respect to the piston rod along a y-axis coplanar with and substantially perpendicular to the x-axis. A current ringing vibration amplitude greater than ten times a maximum of a one-hour average and a noise floor at a ringing frequency is detected, and a bent rod condition is diagnosed.

US Patent:

8147211, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Jan 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/324668

Inventors:

John W. Grant - Gardnerville NV, US
Olga Malakhova - Minden NV, US
Roger Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F04B 49/00

US Classification:

417 63, 417 53

Abstract:

A method for monitoring a condition of at least one valve positioned with respect to at least one of a first chamber and a second chamber of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The method includes establishing a compressor operation cycle including a valve opening event, a valve closing event and/or a rod reversal event. A crank angle is determined at each of the valve opening event, the valve closing event and/or the rod reversal event during the compressor operation cycle using at least one of a static pressure input and a machine speed input. The method further include diagnosing a valve leak condition during the compressor operation cycle at the valve closing event, wherein the at least one valve is closed.

US Patent:

8161800, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/346471

Inventors:

Sean Summers - Carson City NV, US
Brian Howard - Issaquah WA, US
Roger Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
John Grant - Gardnerville NV, US
David R. Van Wagenen - Minden NV, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01M 3/28
F01C 21/00

US Classification:

73 405R, 418 2

Abstract:

A method for simulating a compressor valve leak is described. The method includes inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway. The method also includes measuring a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block and the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway. The method also includes adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.

US Patent:

8203350, Jun 19, 2012

Filed:

Oct 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/572460

Inventors:

Roger Aloysius Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Brian Francis Howard - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01R 27/08

US Classification:

324699

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for direct measurement of rider band wear in a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor is provided. A distance transducer probe is inserted through a compressor valve assembly to measure a distance between a piston assembly and the transducer probe and the wear of a rider band is determined based on the distance.

US Patent:

8297123, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Jul 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/512402

Inventors:

Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US
Roger A. Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Stephen Edward Plaisance - Pasadena TX, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01N 29/00
G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73659, 73584

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the detection of anomalous or aberrant movement of a reciprocating element in a reciprocating device and, more particularly, to the analysis of one or more components of a vibration signal produced by such anomalous or aberrant movement of the reciprocating element. One embodiment of the invention provides a system for identifying an anomalous movement of a reciprocating element in a reciprocating device, the system comprising: at least one sensing device for sensing a vibration signal of the reciprocating element; a processing apparatus for separating the vibration signal into a first component having a first frequency range and a second component having a second frequency range different than the first frequency range; and an analysis device for analyzing, displaying, or both, at least one of the first and the second components of the vibration signal.

US Patent:

20100250195, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Jul 27, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/509815

Inventors:

Michael Lee Whaley - Bozeman MT, US
John Wesley Grant - Gardnerville NV, US
Olga Malakhova - Minden NV, US
Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/00

US Classification:

702183, 702189

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for providing dynamic segmental signal analysis. According to one embodiment, a method can include acquiring a first signal array and a second signal array, defining at least one event characteristic corresponding to the first signal array, and identifying at least one index in the first signal array that displays the event characteristic. The method can further include analyzing at least one segment from the second signal array corresponding to the index identified in the first signal array, and determining that at least one system condition exists based on analyzing the segment.

US Patent:

20100256927, Oct 7, 2010

Filed:

Apr 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/419021

Inventors:

Roger A. Hala - Gardnerville NV, US
Brian F. Howard - Issaquah WA, US
Ivan Joseph Johnson - Watertown MA, US
Charles Terrance Hatch - Gardnerville NV, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

702 33

Abstract:

A method estimates closure of a suction valve. A number of samples are received, each including a reference and a pressure reading. Data points are determined from the samples, each including a reference and a pressure indicator. The reference indicator directly correlates to the reference reading, and the pressure indicator correlates to an average of pressure readings collected about the sample. The data points include a suction data point, a discharge data point, and an index data point. A best-fit linear equation representing data points from about the index data point to about the discharge data point is determined. A half-slope linear equation is also determined, which has half the slope of the best-fit linear equation and the index data point as one solution. A best-fit polynomial equation representing data points from about the suction data point to about the index data point is determined, and a target reference indicator associated with a maximum directed distance from the best-fit polynomial equation to the half-slope linear equation is identified. The suction valve is estimated to close at a point identified by the target reference indicator.