Abstract: A system and method as disclosed herein develops a predicted current remaining useful life (RUL) of a component through a generalized fault and usage model that is designed through a process of simplifying Paris' Law (or other power law) in conjunction with a Kalman Smoother (or other filtering technique). One of the many advantages of this state observer technique is that the backward/forward filtering technique employed by the Kalman Smoother has no phase delay, which allows for the development of a generalized, zero tuning model that provides an improved component health trend, and therefore a better estimate of the predicted current RUL.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a tachometer signal from a vibration sensor is disclosed in which an approximately idealized band pass filter is used along with a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to create a sufficient analytic signal to derive the tachometer signal for a shaft or other rotating component. In addition, jitter in the generated tachometer signal, or any tachometer signal, can be reduced by using an approximately idealized low pass filter and then transforming the filtered signal using a real FFT. These processes can be performed using a smart vibration sensor, which facilitates improved vibration analysis on rotating equipment where in the past the addition of a tachometer would be prohibitive due to cost, weight, certification requirements, or physical impracticality.

Abstract: An integrated hanger bearing monitor is provided for reducing installation time and added weight that includes a sensor and an interconnect on a mounting bracket that is sized and configured to be attached to a hanger bearing mounting bracket via connectors that mount the hanger bearing mounting bracket to the helicopter.

Abstract: Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems.

Abstract: A system is provided for aircraft that automates the download of flight data in the event of a hard landing or mishap that can increase the likelihood that the flight data is preserved so the flight data could be used to facilitate the reconstruction of events leading up to the flight mishap. An aircraft regime recognition technique is provided in which measured parameters are used to determine a likely regime based on a noise tolerant algorithm that is both scalable and has a low computational complexity.

Abstract: A suspension system for a health and usage monitoring system including an inertial measurement unit is provided that includes a plurality of elastomer standoffs coupled between an enclosure of the health and usage monitoring system and an electronics board of the health and usage monitoring system thereby allowing for hysteretic damping to reduce vibration and shock experienced by the electronics board and inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: An integrated hanger bearing monitor is provided for reducing installation time and added weight that includes a sensor and an interconnect on a mounting bracket that is sized and configured to be attached to a hanger bearing mounting bracket via connectors that mount the hanger bearing mounting bracket to the helicopter.

Abstract: Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems.