Abstract: A monitoring and protection system for a machine system includes monitoring modules or groups of modules positioned at various locations of the machine system at which dynamic operating conditions are monitored. The modules are configured to communicate with one another via an open industrial data exchange protocol. Network media is routed between groups of monitoring modules to establish an overall system topology that is highly distributed and that is not dependent upon routing of multiple signal cables to central monitoring locations or racks.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: A data collector having a digital signal processing circuit that receives a digitized vibration signal, and performs processing steps to isolate high frequency pulses in the digitized vibration signal and quantify energy content of those pulses by detecting a peak negative value of the digitized peak-to-peak amplitude of the received vibration signal, and then using this peak negative value to compute a maximum peak-to-peak value of the received vibration signal. Periodically, the maximum peak-to-peak value and peak negative value are reduced in magnitude by a decay factor, such that the peak negative value and maximum peak-to-peak value decay over time. The decay factors used in computing the maximum peak-to-peak value and peak negative value are determined by the digital signal processing circuit and may be readily changed.

Abstract: A data collector having an integrated laser tachometer. The data collector includes, within a housing that can be held by a single hand, circuitry for receiving a vibration signal to be digitized, as well as an optical system for receiving light from outside said housing to be converted to a digital tachometer signal. Digital signal processing circuits within the housing receive, store or process the digitized vibration signal and/or the digital tachometer signal, for the purpose of predictive maintenance. The housing of the data collector also holds a display and input keys, so that an operator may use the same hand for holding and controlling the data collector, and for holding the integrated laser tachometer. This frees a hand for holding an accelerometer or for other purposes. Use of a data collector with an integrated laser tachometer is thus substantially more convenient than using a data collector with a separate, nonintegrated laser tachometer attachment.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card that samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer that includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection technique for machine systems includes providing multiple processors within a monitoring module. A first processor generally performs management functions, such as data communications control, memory management, and so forth. A second processor performs complex calculations that provide data to the first processor. The module may be specifically adapted to applications, such as vibration monitoring, in which case the second processor may perform analysis of received signals to derive vibrational data that forms the basis for decisions for energizing or de-energizing relay circuitry used to control the machine system or an alarm.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system includes monitoring modules configurable with multiple alarm, alert or response parameters. The configuration parameters may be user set to allow for adaptation of the monitoring modules to specific applications. In one implementation, a vibration monitor receives signals from sensors or transducers and derives vibrational data based upon the received signals. The alarm configuration may include multiple levels or limits for various speed or frequency bands.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system includes monitoring modules that are positioned proximate to locations of interest in a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are monitored. The monitoring modules may be configured to communicate with other modules via an open industrial data exchange protocol. The monitors are also configured to control the operative state of a component such as a relay circuit, either integrated into the monitoring module or provided in a separate relay module. Extremely rapid and versatile response is attained through implementation of a local control loop for control of the state of the relay circuit, which may be complemented by a remote loop that includes a remote monitoring or control system for response to different inputs or conditions.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system is provided which is highly modular and expandable. The system is based upon individual monitoring modules which may be associated with one another in groups at locations or points along a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are to be monitored and controlled. The individual modules communicate between themselves, and with remote modules, via an open industrial data exchange protocol. The modules are thus freed of the need for a backplane or other backbone for mounting and communications purposes. Any number of modules may be positioned at the points of interest along the machine system, from as few as a single module to a large group of modules, with the entire system being expandable and contractible according to the design needs based upon the open industrial data exchange protocol.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and protection machine systems includes multiple monitoring modules positioned proximate to points of interest in the machine system where dynamic operating conditions are monitored. The monitoring modules, which may communicate with one another via an open industrial data exchange protocol, include user-configurable voting logic for controlling or protecting the machine system based upon the monitored conditions. The logic of the modules is interdependent such that certain of the responses will or will not be taken unless combined conditions occur as defined by the voting logic of multiple modules.

Abstract: Monitoring modules of a monitoring and protection system are disposed in groups proximate to points of interest in a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are monitored. A master module, which may be a similar monitoring module or a different device such as a gateway, stores user configuration parameters that are also stored in the monitoring modules. In the event of loss of service or replacement of a module, once the same or a different module is detected by the master, the configuration parameters are restored to the monitoring module to permit continuity of operation. The parameters may include multiple settings such as alarm levels, units of measure, processing parameters, response settings, and so forth.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system includes a plurality of monitoring modules that are positioned proximate to points of interest in a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are to be monitored. The monitoring modules at individual locations communicate with one another via an open industrial data exchange protocol. The groups of modules may also communicate via the same protocol, creating a flexible and expandable system that accommodates a wide range of modules and that avoids the need for conventional backplane architecture. The groups also communicate with remote equipment via a different standard data exchange protocol, such as via a gateway associated with each of the monitoring module groups.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: A working fluid of a mechanical system is analyzed by measuring the permittivity of the working fluid as the temperature of the working fluid is varied over a range. Within this temperature range, a special temperature is identified, at which the rate of change of the permittivity over temperature is at a maximum. Subsequently, the viscosity, acid content, moisture content and density of the working fluid are determined from the special temperature, rate of change of permittivity at the special temperature, permittivity of the special temperature, and rate of change of permittivity above the special temperature, respectively. To ensure accurate determination of the special temperature and other parameter values, a curve-fitting technique is used, in which measurements of permittivity over the temperature range are fitted to a mathematical model of the expected curve, and this mathematical model is used to identify the various parameter values.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection and analyzing unit for collecting and analyzing vibration data induced by a rotating shaft including a processor that first converts the analog vibration signal into corresponding digital vibration samples. Thereafter, the processor provides in response to the digital vibration samples, corresponding output vibration samples in which samples within each set of output vibration samples are provided at a rate that varies as a function of variations in the speed of the rotating shaft. A digital processor then collects a time waveform record in response to a plurality of the output vibration samples, wherein the sample rate for the output vibration samples collected in the time waveform record varies as a function of variations in the speed of the rotating shaft.