Method and system for verifying the configuration of an overspeed system for a shaft

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods method of verifying the configuration of an overspeed system for a shaft. The method comprises determining a first rotational speed of a shaft using an overspeed system. The overspeed system comprises a toothed wheel that rotates in relation to the rotational speed of the shaft. The method further comprises determining a second rotational speed of the shaft using a vibration sensing system for monitoring vibration of the shaft. The method further comprises comparing the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft to verify a configuration of the overspeed system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of verifying the configuration of an overspeed system for a shaft comprising:
 determining a first rotational speed of a shaft using an overspeed system, said overspeed system comprising a toothed wheel that rotates in relation to the rotational speed of the shaft;   determining a second rotational speed of the shaft using a vibration sensing system for monitoring vibration of the shaft; and   comparing the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft to verify a configuration of the overspeed system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein verifying the configuration of the overspeed system comprises determining whether a previously set tooth count configuration used by the overspeed system to determine the speed of the shaft is set to accurately reflect a count of teeth on the toothed wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, the previously set tooth count configuration used by the overspeed system is set to the count of teeth on the toothed wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a warning is provided through the overspeed system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the turbine and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a warning is provided through the vibration sensing system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a machine utilizing the shaft is prevented from operating. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the machine utilizing the shaft comprises one of a gas turbine, steam turbine, wind turbine or a liquid turbine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said overspeed system that determines the first rotational speed of the shaft using the toothed wheel that rotates in relation to the rotational speed of the shaft comprises a proximity sensor that detects each tooth of the toothed wheel as each tooth passes by the proximity sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensing system that determines the second rotational speed of the shaft comprises a keyphasor on the shaft and a sensor used to determine when the keyphasor passes by the sensor, said vibration sensing system creating a keyphasor signal each time the keyphasor passes by the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A system of verifying the configuration of an overspeed system comprising:
 a machine having a shaft;
 an overspeed system, wherein said overspeed system determines a first rotational speed of the shaft using a toothed wheel that rotates in relation to a speed of the shaft; 
 a vibration sensing system for monitoring vibration of the shaft, wherein the vibration sensing system determines a second rotational speed of the shaft; and 
 a processor, wherein the processor:
 receives the first rotational speed of the shaft from the overspeed system; 
 receives the second rotational speed of the shaft from the vibration sensing system; and 
 compares the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft to verify a configuration of the overspeed system for the machine. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein verifying the configuration of the overspeed system for the machine comprises determining whether a previously set tooth count configuration used by the overspeed system to determine the speed of the shaft is set to accurately reflect a count of teeth on the toothed wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, the previously set tooth count configuration used by the overspeed system is set by the processor to the count of teeth on the toothed wheel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a warning is provided through the overspeed system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a warning is provided through the vibration sensing system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, a warning is provided by the processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein if the comparison of the first rotational speed of the shaft and the second rotational speed of the shaft is not equal, the machine is prevented from operating by the processor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the machine comprises one of a gas turbine, steam turbine, wind turbine or a liquid turbine. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said overspeed system that determines the first rotational speed of the shaft using the toothed wheel that rotates in relation to the rotational speed of the shaft comprises a proximity sensor that detects each tooth of the toothed wheel as each tooth passes by the proximity sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the vibration sensing system that determines the second rotational speed of the shaft comprises a keyphasor on the shaft and a sensor used to determine when the keyphasor passes by the sensor, said vibration sensing system creating a keyphasor signal each time the keyphasor passes by the sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor comprises a part of one or more of the overspeed system, the vibration sensing system or a control system for the machine.