Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the presence of a defect in vibrating machinery. An exemplary method comprises analysis of frequency spectrum vibration data of the machine. The method comprises deriving a harmonic activity index based on estimates of the energy associated with the frequency spectrum and the energy associated with the defect's harmonic series. The method may comprise deriving a value K by estimating a value M indicative of the energy of the defect's harmonic series and dividing M by the number of spectral lines corresponding to the defect's harmonic series. The method may further comprise deriving a value R by estimating a value Q indicative of the energy in the frequency spectrum data and dividing Q by the number of spectral lines of the frequency spectrum data. The method further comprises deriving the harmonic activity index based on the estimated K and R. Related systems for executing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the presence of a defect in vibrating machinery. An exemplary method comprises analysis of frequency spectrum vibration data of the machine. The method comprises deriving a harmonic activity index based on estimates of the energy associated with the frequency spectrum and the energy associated with the defect's harmonic series. The method may comprise deriving a value K by estimating a value M indicative of the energy of the defect's harmonic series and dividing M by the number of spectral lines corresponding to the defect's harmonic series. The method may further comprise deriving a value R by estimating a value Q indicative of the energy in the frequency spectrum data and dividing Q by the number of spectral lines of the frequency spectrum data. The method further comprises deriving the harmonic activity index based on the estimated K and R. Related systems for executing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting faults or defects in moving machine parts wherein mechanical vibrations produced by a fault or defect are converted into an electrical signal from which the condition of the machine part is obtained. For converting the mechanical vibrations into an electrical signal, an acoustic-emission transducer with wide bandwidth is used. A frequency range in the electrical signal is selected where the half wavelength is smaller than the smallest linear dimension of the cross section of the transducer face which is in contact with the machine part.

Abstract: A motor assembly for an electret transducer, wherein spacing means supporting the diaphragm plate on the backplate are manufactured from a separate material which is applied on the backplate surface to achieve an accurately defined and reproduceable spacing therebetween. Such spacing means can be formed as a meshlike screen lying on the backplate surface. In an alternative embodiment wherein the backplate is constituted by substantially spherical, conductive particles sintered together, the spacing means are formed by an acoustical porous coating applied on the backplate surface, which coating also acts as an electret.