Water jet system characterization, monitoring and control based on pump motor power signal analysis

The present work deals with the opportunities provided by the water jet system sensorization in terms of system characterization, process monitoring and control. Signals coming from a fully sensorized system have been analysed in some cases of interest and the potential of an approach based on the interpretation of the instantaneous pump motor power signal for system characterization, monitoring and diagnostic purposes have been explained. The acquisition and analysis of signals such as oil and water pressures, water flow rate, intensifier piston velocity, abrasive mass flow rate, air pressure and flow rate in the mixing chamber and so on are useful to understand the behaviour of the system and to detect malfunctioning situations; the present work shows as most of the information can be obtained only considering the instantaneous pump motor power signal in terms of signal shape, amplitude and frequency. Some applications have been reported on the orifice characterization and comparison and on malfunctioning operating conditions’ detection.