August 19, 2020
Innovation uses ‘stethoscope’ to monitor machine quality, functionality
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system for efficient, low-cost monitoring for machine health with audio-based artificial intelligence technology. (Stock photo)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system for efficient, low-cost monitoring for machine health, including overall quality, condition and operation status.
The Purdue team’s innovation uses audio-based artificial intelligence technology to monitor the overall conditions of machines in factories, hospitals and other locations. The Purdue system uses a stethoscope-like system as a sensor and analyzes the data with a neural network-based framework.
“Our solution is to use the concept of doctors listening to a body to assess the initial condition or experts listening to the machine sounds to know what is going on,” said Martin Jun, a Purdue innovator and associate professor of mechanical engineering. “We are using artificial intelligence to train a wide range of sounds from the machine and determine many things about the machine or process autonomously.”
Jun said this system can detect anomalies without being fed a training set and is easier and more cost-effective than accelerometers or acoustic emission sensors.
The Purdue technology is designed to use internal sounds from a machine to determine the machine status, assess process conditions, diagnose machine condition and predict machine failures.
“Since only sound is used, it can be used for a number of different applications,” Jun said. “Having one low-cost sensor for many different purposes can address the current challenges in the area where most of the solutions are quite customized to specific problems.”
The Purdue system uses a stethoscope-like system as a sensor and analyzes the data with a neural network-based framework. (Image provided)
Jun and the team have worked with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent the technology. They are looking to license it and are seeking collaborators for further development. For more information, contact D.H.R. Sarma of OTC at dhrsarma@prf.org and reference track code 2020-JUN-68816.
About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. The office recently moved into the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration in Discovery Park District, adjacent to the Purdue campus. In fiscal year 2020, the office reported 148 deals finalized with 225 technologies signed, 408 disclosures received and 180 issued U.S. patents. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.
Writer: Chris Adam, 765-588-3341, cladam@prf.org
Source: Martin Jun, mbgjun@purdue.edu
