Intelligent diagnosis method for a centrifugal pump using features of vibration signals

In the field of machinery diagnosis, the utilization of vibration signals is effective in the detection of fault, because the signals carry dynamic information about the machine state. However, knowledge of a distinguishing fault is ambiguous because definite relationships between symptoms and fault types cannot be easily identified. This paper presents an intelligent diagnosis method for a centrifugal pump system using features of vibration signals at an early stage. The diagnosis algorithm is derived using wavelet transform, rough sets and a partially linearized neural network (PNN). ReverseBior wavelet function is used to extract fault features from measured vibration signals and to capture hidden fault information across optimum frequency regions. As the input parameters for the neural network, the non-dimensional symptom parameters that can reflect the characteristics of a signal are defined in the amplitude domain. The diagnosis knowledge for the training of the PNN can be acquired by using the rough sets. We also propose a diagnosis method based on the PNN, one which can deal with the ambiguity problem of condition diagnosis, and distinguish fault types on the basis of the possibility distributions of symptom parameters automatically. The decision method of optimum frequency region for extracting feature signals is also discussed using real plant data. Practical examples of diagnosis for a centrifugal pump system are shown in order to verify the efficiency of the method.