Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing, storing and transmitting measurement data correlative to machine status is disclosed in which the measurement data is continuously sensed, sampled and processed to extract significant spectral elements including magnitude and phase information from each successive period of the originally measured data and to store those spectral elements in a memory means from an initial period of significant spectral elements and each successive period of significant spectral elements which have changed since the previous period for developing a compressed data history correlative to a continuous history of the status of the machine being monitored and from which continuous signals can be regenerated and analyzed for any earlier historical time.

Abstract: An industrial plant asset management system comprising of a synchronized multiple view graphical user interface combining simultaneous real time and database display capability, a database including a knowledge manager and having input and output interfaces, a normalizing data acquisition module with real time and database interfaces, and a variety of device dependent data collector modules with associated signal conditioning and processing devices for providing an environment for development and deployment of visual models for monitoring plant assets.

Abstract: A system for monitoring machine data which avoids the need for the cumbersome placement of junction boxes adjacent machines that heretofore had required installing the junction boxes on walls, studs, or stanchions. Instead, a rigid conduit having conductors therein communicate with an integrated sealed instrument package that allows the conductors' communication between an asset such as a machine to be monitored via transducers to a signal processor at a remote location. A multiplicity of assets can be monitored through this arrangement by providing signal differentiation for the various machines.

Abstract: A digital eddy current proximity system including a digital impedance measuring device for digitally measuring the proximity probes impedance correlative to displacement motion and position of a metallic target object being monitored. The system further including a cable-length calibration method, an automatic material identification and calibration method, a material insensitive method, an inductive ratio method and advanced sensing characteristics.

Abstract: A method and a resulting communication cable is disclosed which provides multiple degrees of control of fluid wicking propensity within the interior of the cable by impregnating the cable with a sealing composition and curing the sealing composition therein. The cable includes a central strata, a penultimate strata and an ultimate strata concentrically disposed. The central strata includes a central signal transmission medium circumscribed by a dielectric having an etched exterior surface. The penultimate strata includes a braided conductor circumscribing the dielectric and an inner jacket surrounding the braided conductor and including an etched exterior surface. The penultimate strata further includes at least one non-continuous zone of sealing composition impregnated into the braided conductor and bonding with the etched exterior surface of the dielectric. The ultimate strata includes a braided sheath circumscribing the inner jacket and an outer jacket surrounding the braided sheath.

Abstract: A method and a resulting cable (10) is disclosed which precludes fluid wicking within the interior of the cable (10) by impregnating the cable (10) with a sealing composition and curing the sealing composition therein. The cable (10) includes an ultimate strata (18), a penultimate strata (20) and a central strata (40) concentrically disposed. The central strata (40) includes a central signal transmission medium (44) separated from the penultimate strata (20) by a central insulator or dielectric (42). The penultimate strata (20) includes a braided sheath (32) circumscribing a braided conductor (22) and an insulator (30) interposed therebetween. The ultimate strata (18) surrounds the interior or the penultimate strata (20) and central strata (40) of the cable (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature stability of an inductor by using a magnetically coupled metallic object is disclosed in which a metallic object is magnetically coupled to the inductor by a magnetic field emanating therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus is tailored for use in a proximity probe of a machine monitoring system and includes the metallic object magnetically coupled to a sensing coil for controlling a resistance versus temperature profile including compensating for a proximity effect resistance of the coil.

Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system for a bearing supporting rotating equipment, method and apparatus is disclosed in which a rotating shaft is suspended in a fluid. Shaft precession is monitored to provide a compensatory feed back loop to maintain proper shaft registry in the face of loads.

Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having front end (22) and back end (24). The encapsulation (20) is a monolith of cured moldable material ensconcing a sensing element or coil (90) proximate front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples sensing element (90) with information transmitting medium (120). A protective sleeve (150) is transfer molded over coil (90) and interlocked with preform (40) thereby forming a sleeved coil and cable assembly (170). This sleeved coil and cable assembly (170) is encapsulated by an injection molding process which provides the durable encapsulation (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for diagnosing and correcting rotating stall and surge in rotating machines by monitoring dynamic shaft precession and comparing this precession with a standard and altering the precession as the machine approaches a destabilizing condition when indicated by the comparison step. Axial vibration monitoring means is also provided for monitoring and comparing a dynamic axial vibration of the machine with a standard and altering the axial vibration as the machine approaches a destabilizing condition. Furthermore, the instant invention measures the complex dynamic stiffness of the machine and computes the direct dynamic stiffness and the quadrature dynamic stiffness for use as a destabilizing warning device by monitoring for a drop in direct dynamic stiffness and/or a coincidence of zero crossing of both the direct dynamic stiffness and the quadrature dynamic stiffness components. One embodiment for altering the rotating stall and/or surge is by a controlled active servobearing.

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) is a monolith of cured moldable material ensconcing a sensing element (90) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from the back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples the sensing element (90) with the information transmitting medium or cable (120). The component alignment preform (40) includes a front ferrule (70) and a rear ferrule (80) bonded thereto and linearly spaced apart along a long axis "A". The component alignment preform (40) further includes an annular recess (44) in which the sensing element or coil (90) is placed so that it is linearly spaced and aligned along the common long axis "A" in which the front and rear ferrules (70), (80) are aligned.

Abstract: 051545044A method and apparatus for compressing, storing and transmitting measurement data correlative to machine status is disclosed in which the measurement data is continuously sensed, sampled and processed to extract significant spectral elements including magnitude and phase information from each successive period of the originally measured data and to store those spectral elements in a memory means from an initial period of significant spectral elements and each successive period of significant spectral elements which have changed since the previous period for developing a compressed data history correlative to a continuous history of the status of the machine being monitored and from which continuous signals can be regenerated and analyzed for any earlier historical time.

Abstract: A knowledge manager relying on a hierarchical default expert system is provided including a class hierarchical data base which may be appended to without affecting the class hierarchy and which will address the appended matter first to supersede any previous knowledge in the class hierarchy data base of the system. In addition, the system parameters of assets are appended to the system and are instantiated into objects which are then treated with an object-oriented paradigm. Thus, specific assets which are found throughout a plant may be defined as objects. These objects may be appended to the system without the proprietary information which they contain being disclosed to unauthorized personnel and override, add or delete information to the class hierarchical database.

Abstract: A method and a resulting cable (10) is disclosed which precludes fluid wicking within the interior of the cable (10) by impregnating the cable (10) with a sealing composition and curing the sealing composition therein. The cable (10) includes an ultimate strata (18), a penultimate strata (20) and a central strata (40) concentrically disposed. The central strata (40) includes a central signal transmission medium (44) separated from the penultimate strata (20) by a central insulator or dielectric (42). The penultimate strata (20) includes a braided sheath (32) circumscribing a braided conductor (22) and an insulator (30) interposed therebetween. The ultimate strata (18) surrounds the interior or the penultimate strata (20) and central strata (40) of the cable (10).

Abstract: A transducer mounting apparatus (10) is disclosed which includes a two-piece mounting bracket (20) and a verification device (100). The two-piece mounting bracket (20) includes a precisely machined base plate (22) and sliding plate (60). At least one transducer (150) is mounted to the sliding plate (60) and the sliding plate (60) is slideably coupled to the base plate (22) for precisely mounting and slideably positioning at least the one transducer (150) adjacent a "target" to be monitored thereby. The verification device (100) couples to the base plate (22) and is employed in a method for calibrating and verifying the operation of at least the one transducer (150) prior to at least the one transducer (150) being mechanically locked into position by rigidly securing the sliding plate (60) to the base plate (22).

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation ensconcing a sensing element (90) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from the back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples the sensing element (90) with the information transmitting medium (120). The preform (40) includes a front ferrule (70) and a rear ferrule (80) bonded thereto and linearly spaced apart along a long axis "A". The preform (40) further includes an annular recess (44) in which the sensing element or coil (90) is placed. A first lead (98) and a second lead (100) of the coil are electrically connected to the front ferrule (70) and the rear ferrule (80), respectively. A back end (48) of the preform (40) receives a stripped end (122) of the cable (120) such that a plurality of conductors are operatively coupled to the front ferrule (70) and the rear ferrule (80) and to the leads of the coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method utilized in conditioning an input signal from a transducer operatively coupled to a machine by self-biasing a circuit including an op-amp having an inverting signal input terminal, a non-inverting signal input terminal, bias voltage terminals and a signal output terminal. A power supply is operatively coupled to the bias voltage terminals via a single pair of supply lines and an input signal is directed to an input terminal of the op-amp. The op-amp outputs a conditioned signal to the supply lines which is superimposed with said DC bias voltage across the supply lines wherein the characteristics of the conditioned signal may be monitored via the supply lines.

Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.