Methodology Study Of Condition Monitoring And Analysis For Hydroelectric Generating Sets Based On Virtual Reality

As the most important assets of the hydropower station, the reliable and stable operationof large-scale Hydro-turbine Generator Sets (HGS) has close relationship with powersystem safe operation, power station and the people’s lives and property. The conditionmonitoring and analysis of HGS equipment, which involved the monitoring of HGSoperation status monitoring and analysis, device abnormal detection and fault diagnosisanalysis and decision of HGS equipment, is related directly to the safety and economicoperation of the hydropower station. The condition monitoring and analysis of HGSequipment is a technical and difficult maintenance work, which needs constantly introduceadvanced technology and methods and means.Virtual reality technology is an advanced human-computer interaction interfacetechnology, been widely applied in the information display with virtual environments, statevisual simulation expression, operation guide of analysis and so on. The idea of VirtualReality (VR) applying to condition monitoring and fault detection and diagnosis of HGSwas proposed in this paper. Combined with the Gezhouba hydropower station of ChinaYangtze Power Co., Ltd., the condition monitoring and fault maintenance of HGS has beenput into industrial practice, and the outcomes applied successfully to22HGS of Gezhoubahydropower station.Firstly, the research background was analyzed, and the technique development ofcondition monitoring and fault diagnosis for HGS was reviewed. The developmentdirection of equipment condition monitoring and fault detection was researched, and thevirtual reality-based condition monitoring and analysis of HGS was proposed. Then, themethods of HGS equipment condition monitoring and fault detection, virtual realitytechnology, and artificial intelligence technology used in the condition monitoring and faultdetection and analysis of HGS were developed. The condition monitoring and faultdetection requirements of HGS was defined clearly, at the same time, the applicationprospect of virtual reality technology in condition monitoring and fault detection for HGSwas clarified. Finally, the main research work and its significance were stated.The impact of virtual reality on condition monitoring for HGS equipment wascomprehensive analyzed. The facing problems and deficiencies of the field of expressionand analysis aids condition monitoring, fault monitoring and diagnosis maintenance for thecurrent HGS equipment. From the manifesting means, human-computer interaction,information organization and knowledge mining and analysis tools, the importance of the virtual reality to the equipment condition monitoring and fault analysis system wasanalyzed. And the virtual reality systems framework of condition monitoring and faultdetection for HGS was expounded. At the same time, the modeling basis, the visualsimulation and equipment information expression of the VR-based monitoring and faultdetection for HGS was researched; while the condition monitoring and analysis, equipmenthealth status expression and equipment fault detection were made a detailed introductionabout the VR expression of HGS. On the basis of equipment3D engineering visualization,digital description was achieved through data transformation; visual representation of HGSwas realized by making use of mapping and perception simulation technology.With the helpof environment rendering in the virtual environment, virtual reality representation of HGSwas showed in front of the user.Condition monitoring is the basis of achieving condition based maintenance for HGSequipment. Firstly, an introduction has been given on the development of conditionmonitoring system for HGS; then, equipment monitoring and analysis methods of VR forHGS equipment monitoring were elaborated. Under the integrated monitoring platform ofHydropower station Optimal Maintenance Information System (HOMIS) for Gezhoubahydropower station, combined with the engineering3D model, condition monitoringdisplay and analytical tools, the HGS and its various subsystems and equipment operatingstatus were monitored in a virtual environment, including real-time and historical conditionmonitoring and analysis, and the "intuitive" status display, monitoring analysis and statusalarm of HGS equipment were realized. Finally, the significance and functional frameworkof the virtual remote inspection of the HGS equipment was proposed, and the operatinginspection, expert examination, and supporting analysis of HGS equipment can be executedin the VR environment.The basic method of HGS equipment fault detection technology was analyzed, and themethod using equipment performance indicators to detect the fault and explore the expertexperience and knowledge was developed to carry out fault detection and implementationprocess. Combined with the technology of graphic presentation, engineering3D visualmodel and virtual reality perception expression, the performance indicators virtualexpression of HGS equipment was achieved. Under the3D virtual environment, the testingenvironment was provided for the experts. By making use of this environment, the intuitive,appropriate information and knowledge was offered during the fault detection anddiagnostic procedures of HGS equipment. With the help of virtual testing environment, thefailure symptom display and graphics, images, audio, and other human sensing modality (such as visual, auditory and tactile) were integrated to express the fault detectionknowledge and help maintenance personnel for fault detection.For the status and operation characteristics of abstract information expression andproviding little or no intuitive analysis and fault detection assistant for the HGSmaintenance system, and taking the HGS in Gezhouba hydropower station as the specificobject, the VR-based condition monitoring and fault detection and analysis system of HGSwas constructed on the basis of HOMIS platform. The system framework and function wasdesigned, and the VR-based condition monitoring, abnormal status alarming and equipmentremote inspection were researched in detail. As well as the application examples of expertinspection and assisted analysis was provided. Then, the VR-based fault detection andanalysis method was elaborated and this virtual fault detection is applied to the expressionof performance indicators, performance testing, fault detection process assistance andexpert fault detection knowledge representation.