Abstract: A digital transducer provides a digital output indicative of dynamic characteristics of machines and processes. The transducer sensors may be single-axis or multiple-axis accelerometers and other measurement sensors. The transducer may be hands-free and wireless in machinery monitoring applications. An integral magnetic mount assists with hands-free data collection. Digital data accumulated in transducer memory may be selectively decimated before or after transfer from the transducer to a remote analyzer. Wireless communications are used to upload measurement setups to the transducer and download data from the transducer to a handheld analyzer or remote computer. Analysis and interpretation of dynamic digital data streams are performed after data is downloaded.

Abstract: Useful and meaningful machine characteristic information may be derived through analysis of oversampled digital data collected using dynamic signal analyzers, such as vibration analyzers. Such data have generally been discarded in prior art systems. In addition to peak values and decimated values, other oversampled values are used that are associated with characteristics of the machine being monitored and the sensors and circuits that gather the data. This provides more useful information than has previously been derived from oversampled data within a sampling interval.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors a tumble mill and includes at least two vibration sensors mounted on a first main bearing and at least two vibration sensors mounted on a second main bearing of the mill. Sensors may be disposed radially with respect to the bearing. A vibration sensor is also connected to a thrust bearing of the mill oriented in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the shell of the mill. A signal analyzer receives and analyzes signals from all vibration monitors on the bearings and displays an operating condition of the tumble mill. Additional vibration sensors may be mounted on the shell, and sensors may be provided to sense electrical power input and mechanical power output of the motors. In operation, the mill is loaded with a standard charge and operated at a standard rotational rate. The sensor data is analyzed and displayed when the mill is operating.

Abstract: A route based analysis system includes, in one version, an infrared spectrometer subsystem configured to produce a spectrum for oil introduced to an oil sample cell. The system displays a route including assets with oil to be inspected. The type of oil used in each asset is determined. For each asset on the route, one or more oil property methods specific to the oil used in the asset are located. The spectrum of each asset's oil is analyzed using specific methods in order to produce oil properties.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surveys of regions of interest, points of interest, and objects of interest. The methods typically involve using a survey instrument with programmed logic. The programmed logic may include one or more base of knowledge in an electronically accessible format, and may include statistical analysis software. The survey instrument generally includes a display and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a visible image or an infrared image sensor. The program logic may be used to guide an operator through a survey.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surveys of regions of interest, points of interest, and objects of interest. The methods typically involve using a survey instrument with programmed logic. The programmed logic may include one or more base of knowledge in an electronically accessible format, and may include statistical analysis software. The survey instrument generally includes a display and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a visible image or an infrared image sensor. The program logic may be used to guide an operator through a survey.

Abstract: A digital transducer provides a digital output indicative of dynamic characteristics of machines and processes. The transducer sensors may be single-axis or multiple-axis accelerometers and other measurement sensors. The transducer may be hands-free and wireless in machinery monitoring applications. An integral magnetic mount assists with hands-free data collection. Digital data accumulated in transducer memory may be selectively decimated before or after transfer from the transducer to a remote analyzer. Wireless communications are used to upload measurement setups to the transducer and download data from the transducer to a handheld analyzer or remote computer. Analysis and interpretation of dynamic digital data streams are performed after data is downloaded.

Abstract: Useful and meaningful machine characteristic information may be derived through analysis of oversampled digital data collected using dynamic signal analyzers, such as vibration analyzers. Such data have generally been discarded in prior art systems. In addition to peak values and decimated values, other oversampled values are used that are associated with characteristics of the machine being monitored and the sensors and circuits that gather the data. This provides more useful information than has previously been derived from oversampled data within a sampling interval.

Abstract: A route based analysis system includes, in one version, an infrared spectrometer subsystem configured to produce a spectrum for oil introduced to an oil sample cell. The system displays a route including assets with oil to be inspected. The type of oil used in each asset is determined. For each asset on the route, one or more oil property methods specific to the oil used in the asset are located. The spectrum of each asset's oil is analyzed using specific methods in order to produce oil properties.

Abstract: A process control system uses an asset optimization reporter to collect status information of dissimilar types pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various data sources of the plant including, for example, data tools, data collectors, and data generators. This status information is used to generate reports that may be displayed to various users, including maintenance persons, process control persons and business persons. The status information may be used as the basis for further types of status information and/or be categorized in based on an assessment of relative consequence, where each category has a spectrum of status quality values between a good status quality and a relatively worse status quality.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surveys of regions of interest, points of interest, and objects of interest. The methods typically involve using a survey instrument with programmed logic. The programmed logic may include one or more base of knowledge in an electronically accessible format, and may include statistical analysis software. The survey instrument generally includes a display and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a visible image or an infrared image sensor. The program logic may be used to guide an operator through a survey.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using a programmable hand-held inspection system to direct an inspection process. Methods typically involve loading a survey template application software routine into the programmable hand-held inspection system where the survey template application software routine describes at least one aspect of the inspection process. Some embodiments involve wirelessly uploading at least a portion of the survey template application software routine. Generally an image representation of an area is provided on a display. The system may be used to guide an operator through at least one aspect of the inspection process or to perform steps in a survey. A location within the vicinity of the area may be identified using a global positioning system. A record may of the survey may be created.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing inspections using infrared cameras through in-field displays and operator-assisted performance calculations. A handheld infrared imaging system typically includes an infrared camera having a programmed computer and an interactive user interface suitable for displaying images and prompting response and accepting input from the infrared camera operator in the field during an inspection. An operator may designate at least one thing of interest on a displayed infrared image; and the programmed computer may uses a performance algorithm to estimate performance associated with the thing of interest. The programmed computer may extract information or parameters from previously measured data—. The programmed computer may vary the way in which it displays new measurements based on the information extracted from the stored data. One or more of the parameters extracted from the IR image may be adapted to provide an automated alert to the user.

Abstract: A process control system uses an asset optimization reporter to collect status information of dissimilar types pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various data sources of the plant including, for example, data tools, data collectors, and data generators. This status information is used to generate reports that may be displayed to various users, including maintenance persons, process control persons and business persons. The status information may be used as the basis for further types of status information and/or be categorized in based on an assessment of relative consequence, where each category has a spectrum of status quality values between a good status quality and a relatively worse status quality.

Abstract: A process control system uses an asset optimization reporter to collect status information pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various data sources of the plant including, for example, data tools, data collectors, and data generators. This status information is used to generate reports that may be displayed to various users, including maintenance persons, process control persons and business persons. The status information may be used as the basis for further types of status information and/or be categorized in ways that are useful to the user. The reports are generally displayed via a user interface routine that enables users to view the status information and manipulate the display of the report to correspond to the user's preferences, as contained in a user profile. The user interface routine further enables the user to view reports of various types of status information for various devices, loops, units, areas, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting equipment using focal plane array imaging sensor data and dynamic sensor data. Methods involve capturing focal plane array imaging sensor data using a focal plane array imaging sensor such as an infrared camera or a visible camera, or acquiring imaging sensor data from an electronic data storage source, and involve capturing dynamic sensor data, such as vibration or ultrasonic data using a dynamic sensor such as an accelerometer or ultrasound system. Methods also provide for analyzing imaging and dynamic sensor data using such techniques as thermography and fast fourier transformation. Apparatuses include a portable instrument with sensor interfaces for collecting imaging sensor data and dynamic sensor data. A sensor suite is provided that includes vibration sensor, sonic sensors, ultrasonic sensors, oil sensors, flux sensors and current sensors. A base station is included to collect and analyze data from one or more portable instruments.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing inspections using infrared cameras through in-field displays and operator-assisted performance calculations. A handheld infrared imaging system typically includes an infrared camera having a programmed computer and an interactive user interface suitable for displaying images and prompting response and accepting input from the infrared camera operator in the field during an inspection. An operator may designate at least one thing of interest on a displayed infrared image; and the programmed computer may use a performance algorithm to estimate performance associated with the thing of interest. The programmed computer may extract information or parameters from previously measured data. The programmed computer may vary the way in which it displays new measurements based on the information extracted from the stored data. One or more of the parameters extracted from the IR image may be adapted to provide an automated alert to the user.

Abstract: An integrated lubricant analyzer apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing having a first fluid inlet port in flow communication with a chemical analysis device. A second fluid inlet port is included in the housing in flow communication with a particle analyzer. The housing also includes a third fluid inlet port in flow communication with an optical particle counting device. A syringe degassing port is attached to the housing for inverting and degassing a syringe containing a fluid sample for a particle count analysis before the fluid sample is injected into the third fluid inlet port. The apparatus includes a sample analysis sequencing procedure and a microprocessor for collection and manipulation of data from the chemical analysis device, the particle analyzer and the particle counting device. Features of the invention enable a trivector analysis of a fluid for maintaining machinery containing the fluid.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a multiplicity of lubrication quality parameters. For a particular lubrication system, a parameter profile is designated to define all the measurable parameters to be monitored. Each parameter in the profile is assigned to single category respective to WEAR, CHEMISTRY and CONTAMINATION. Parameter values are proportionalized in a finite number of increments between acceptable and unacceptable limits. The worst case parameter of a category is selected to represent that category on a 3-axis, Cartesian graph for placing a data point along the respective category axis. Three data points respective to the three axes are linked with a triangular plane, the area of which is representative of the system quality state.