Abstract: A vibration damper that damp vibrations transmitted between a drive unit and a support body. The vibration damper comprises: an elastic member interposed between the drive unit and the support body; a rotor supported by the drive unit or the support body; and a vibration translating mechanism that rotates the rotor and reciprocates the rotor between the drive unit and the support body, in response to the vibrations acting in a vibrating direction to isolate the drive unit and the support body away from each other and bring the drive unit and the support body closer together.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly wherein a counterbalance force of the adjustable magnetic counterbalance is adjustable. The adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly includes at least one ferromagnetic tube; a magnet disposed in the at least one ferromagnetic tube and configured to be axially movable and wherein the magnet is configured to be rotationally movable relative to the respective at least one ferromagnetic tube; wherein the counterbalance force is configured to be adjustable by adjusting the rotational position between the magnet and a respective ferromagnetic tube to change the polar alignment of the magnet. Alternatively, the adjustable magnetic counterbalance assembly changes the counterbalance force based on the relative alignment of the poles of one magnet to an adjacent one.

Abstract: A system for controlling the stability of a vehicle equipped with semi-active dampers includes: an actuator, a plurality of sensors, a low-level control unit, a high-level control unit and a mid-level control unit adapted to execute an algorithm for calculating a damping level (Cref).

Abstract: A damping mechanism may comprise a housing, a shaft, a spring arm assembly including a first spring arm, wherein the spring arm assembly is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the shaft, wherein the first spring arm extends relatively radially outward of the spring arm assembly toward the housing in response to the rotation of the shaft, and wherein the rotation of the shaft is damped in response to extending the first spring arm.

Abstract: A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses.

Abstract: A damper is provided which can more reliably prevent malfunction and breakdown and which enables efficiently performing repair and inspection operations.

Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a pressurized gas damper, electromagnetic actuator, and pressurized gas spring. The pressurized gas damper includes first and second working chambers that are fluidly connected by a flow control orifice. The electromagnetic actuator includes a stator assembly with a stator cavity and a magnetic rotor that is slidingly received in the stator cavity. The magnetic rotor is fixed to a damper tube that houses the second working chamber. The stator cavity and an end of the damper tube cooperate to define the first working chamber. The pressurized gas spring includes a bellows chamber that extends annularly about the damper tube. The damper tube includes an opening between the second working chamber and the bellows chamber.

Abstract: A piston for a magneto-rheological (MR) damper includes an upper core 11 having a side opening 113; a lower core 12 having a lower core body 121 and a central protrusion 122 protruding upwardly from the lower core body 121; and a magnetic field generator 13 coupled to the central protrusion 122, including a body 131A around which a coil 132 is wound, a ring-shaped upper support 131B extending from the upper portion of the body 131A in the radial direction, and a ring-shaped lower support 131C extending from the lower portion of the body 131A in the radial direction.

Abstract: An input device, such as a joystick, has an operating device, a magnetorheological brake device, and a controller for activating the brake device. An operating lever is disposed on a supporting structure for pivoting around at least one pivot axis. The brake device is coupled with the pivot axis for controlled damping of a pivoting motion of the operating lever. The brake device has a rotary damper with two components, namely, an inside component and an outside component. The outside component radially surrounds the inside component and a damping gap is formed in between that is filled with a magnetorheological medium. The damping gap can be exposed to a magnetic field to damp a pivoting motion between the two contrapivoting components about an axis. One of the components has radial arms equipped with an electric coil whose winding extends adjacent to and spaced apart from the axis.

Abstract: A chassis component has a rotary damper with a housing, a damper shaft rotatably accommodated thereat, a displacing device in the housing, and a magnetic field source. The displacing device has a damper volume with magnetorheological fluid to influence the damping of the rotary motion of the damper shaft relative to the housing. The damper volume is divided into variable chambers by a partition wall connected with the housing and a partition wall connected with the damper shaft. Radial and axial gaps are formed between the partition walls, the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field source has a controllable electric coil for influencing the strength of the magnetic field and thus the strength of damping. A substantial part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through the gaps and influences the gap sections in dependence on the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A mount bush includes a tube member, a shaft member disposed coaxially with an axis of the tube member and having a coil, a first liquid chamber disposed at an upper side in an internal space between the tube member and the shaft member, a second liquid chamber in communication with a lower side of the first liquid chamber and containing a magnetic viscoelastic fluid, and a third liquid chamber in communication with a lower side of the second liquid chamber and having a porous body, wherein the coil is disposed such that a magnetic path that passes through the second liquid chamber in an orientation along at least one of an axial direction and a radial direction is formed through electrical conduction.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An active vibration damper includes a lower outer wall for placement on a floor, and front and rear outer walls, with the front and/or rear outer wall including first and second receptacles in an outer side thereof. The first receptacle receives a permanent magnet and is pot-shaped to maintain a closed configuration of the front and/or rear outer wall. A primary part of an electrical linear actuator is fixed at least on an inside of the lower outer wall, and a secondary part is arranged above the primary part and acted upon by the primary part. Retaining elements fixed to an inside of the upper outer wall movably hold the secondary part for displacement in a substantially linear manner in a left-right direction when the primary part is correspondingly impinged on. A magnetic back iron yoke is received in the second receptacle at the height of the secondary part.

Abstract: A spring supported tray for mitigating a dominant frequency imparted thereto is provided. The spring supported tray includes a tray including a topside and underside, and configured to support an object on the topside, and N springs supporting the tray, N being a positive integer. A first end of each of the N springs is disposed at the underside of the tray. A second end of each of the N springs is disposed so as to receive vibrational motion imparted to the second end of each of the N springs from a source of the vibrational motion, the vibrational motion having a dominant undesired frequency fdom. Each of the N springs has a spring constant k defined by the equation: k = f n 2 ? 4 ? ? ? 2 ? w Ng where w denotes the collective weight of the tray and the object, g denotes the force of gravity, and fn denotes a natural frequency of the spring supported tray supporting the object, wherein fn is a lower frequency than the dominant undesired frequency fdom.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional magnetic negative-stiffness mechanism and a multi-dimensional magnetic negative-stiffness vibration isolation system composed thereof are provided. The multi-dimensional damping system is composed of a positive-stiffness mechanism, a multi-dimensional negative-stiffness mechanism, a floating frame, a vibration isolated body, and a mounting base. The positive-stiffness mechanism is a traditional elastic element connected to the vibration isolated body and the mounting base, and provides supporting forces in an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction, and a basic vibration isolation function. The multi-dimensional negative-stiffness mechanism is composed of at least two negative-stiffness magnetic groups. Each negative-stiffness magnetic group may provide one-dimensional or two-dimensional negative stiffness.

Abstract: A fluid-sealed engine mount may include an insulator integrally formed on an external side of a mount core configured to be coupled to an engine and having a chamber with which fluid for insulation of vibration is sealed; an orifice module mounted below the mount core to divide the chamber into two chambers and having a fluid passage for flow of the fluid; an air chamber provided at a center portion of the orifice module and filled with air; and an elastic membrane mounted above the air chamber at the center portion of the orifice module to seal the air chamber airtightly.

Abstract: A mount bush includes a tubular member, a shaft member disposed inside the tubular member coaxially with an axis of the tubular member and including a coil, a permanent magnet provided on at least one of the tubular member and the shaft member, a magnetic viscoelastic fluid filled in an internal space, a first liquid chamber disposed in the internal space at a first side, a second liquid chamber communicating with the first liquid chamber, and a third liquid chamber communicating with the second liquid chamber, wherein the coil is disposed such that a magnetic path passing through the second liquid chamber in an orientation along at least one of the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction is formed through electrical conduction, and the permanent magnet is disposed such that a magnetizing direction is formed along the magnetic path.

Abstract: A gearhead for a handheld power tool for machining workpieces, having a housing in which an output that can be connected to a drive of a handheld power tool is accommodated, and also having a tool shaft to which a tool can be coupled, wherein a braking device that can be moved between a braking position and a release position and that acts upon the tool shaft is provided for braking of the tool shaft. A switching device is provided that can be moved between a first switching position, in which the tool shaft is connected to the output in a power transmitting manner and in which the braking device is transferred into the release position, and a second switching position, in which the tool shaft is decoupled from the output and in which the braking device is transferred into the braking position.

Abstract: Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing device arranged to support in a vertical direction a first part of an apparatus with respect to a second part of the apparatus, comprising a magnetic gravity compensator.

Abstract: An engine mount control apparatus that is an active noise vibration control apparatus according to the present disclosure is characterized by being provided with a housing that has an outer core, an inner core that is disposed inside the outer core, and an electromagnetic coil that is positioned between the outer core and the inner core and by a portion between the outer core and the inner core being filled with a magneto-rheological elastomer containing magnetic particles. The present disclosure enables the maintenance of good static load support performance.

Abstract: A magnetorheological damper, wherein the damper comprises a housing that is at least partially filed with a magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetorheological valve disposed within the housing. The valve includes a magnetically permeable core having at least one coil reservoir formed therein, and at least one conductor coil, wherein each conductor coil is disposed around a portion of the core within a respective one of the coil reservoir(s). The valve additionally includes a fluid flow path adjacent the conductor coil(s). The fluid flow path is structured and operable to allow the magnetorheological fluid to flow adjacent the conductor coil(s). The valve further includes at least one coil cover, wherein each coil cover is disposed over a respective one of the coil(s) such that the respective coil is protected from exposure to magnetorheological fluid flowing through the fluid flow path.

Abstract: An anti-tail buffet device leverages existing rotorcraft components to attenuate a tailboom's lateral “ringing” from air buffeting. Anti-buffet masses are tuned to the tailboom's lateral-bending or torsional natural frequency such that when lateral motion occurs, the response at this frequency is cancelled by the anti-buffet system, preventing this vibration from entering into the tailboom structure. Motion stops prevent over-travel. The mass of the tail rotor actuator is soft-mounted, such that its natural frequency is equal to the tailboom's lateral-bending or torsional natural frequency. When lateral loading occurs on the tail rotor disk, the lateral response at this frequency is attenuated by the soft-mounted tail rotor actuator, thereby preventing the vibration in the tailboom structure.

Abstract: A rotary damper has a displacer device with a damper shaft and displacer components engaging into one another. A rotational movement of the damper shaft can be damped. The displacer device contains a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. A magnetic field of a magnetic field source having an electric coil can be controlled by way of an associated control device. An end-side axial gap is formed between the housing and the displacer device. An essential part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through the axial gap between the housing and the displacer components. The magnetorheological fluid is subjected to the magnetic field in order to adjust a damping of the rotational movement of the damper shaft. The magnetic field also effects a seal of the end-side axial gap.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling deformation of a flexible screen, configured to control the deformation of the flexible screen, the flexible screen including: a flexible screen body, a metal layer attached to a back surface of the flexible screen body, and a current controlled deformation layer coated on the metal layer; the flexible screen further including a power supply circuit, and a current regulation circuit through which the power supply circuit is coupled to the metal layer; and the system including: a hardness regulation circuit, configured to control intensity of current flowing in the metal layer to soften the current controlled deformation layer. The above system for controlling deformation of a flexible screen can control the flexible screen to be deformed to have a desired shape.

Abstract: A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment apparatus for a suspension according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a piston rod having a thread on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a shock absorber in which the piston rod is installed to be movable up and down; a top mount connecting the piston rod to a vehicle body; a first spring having one side connected to the top mount and a remaining side connected to the shock absorber; a second spring having one side connected to the shock absorber; and a driving module connected to a remaining side of the second spring and installed to be movable on the piston rod by being fastened to the thread of the piston rod.

Abstract: There have been many types of sports shoes varying in design and material. The market-leading sports shoes are Nike and Asics. Nike is famous for its patented Air Max technology and Asics for its unique liquid cushioning element technology. These are excellent shoes in its own category. Yet, sports players are also looking for a shoe that can switch between the hi-rebound high performance sports mode and soft-cushioned regular mode conveniently. Our new design of the shoe sole tackles this task with a unique approach. We design the shoe sole into three zones according to its dynamic feature and fill the corresponding zones with different foaming material and an interchangeable compact MagLev module. This new design meets the challenge and opens up a new way for shoe manufacturing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modeling and visualization of vibration mechanics in residual space, and includes systems and methods for vibrational analysis. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, by at least one sensor, vibrational data and an operational mode of rotating equipment. The method may then proceed with determining, by an equipment controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, at least one vibrational vector based on the vibrational data. The method may determine, by the equipment controller and based on a model, an expected vibrational vector for the operational mode. The method may calculate, by the equipment controller, a residual vector as a difference between the vibrational vector and the expected vector. The method may also determine, by the equipment controller, at least one abnormality associated with the rotating equipment based on the residual vector.

Abstract: An active anti-flutter system is provided for a motor vehicle. That active anti-flutter system includes an electromagnet on a first component, a ferromagnetic target on a second component and a controller. The controller is configured to energize the electromagnet to generate a magnetic flux that attracts the ferromagnetic target toward the electromagnet thereby reducing vibration of one of the first component and the second component. A method of reducing flutter of a closure panel on a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller guide for an elevator car includes at least one roller rotatably mounted on an axis. The roller guide further includes a support element for supporting the axis, and at least one braking element for the roller for damping vertical oscillations of the elevator car. The brake element is a magneto-rheological fluid.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for a vehicle includes a base connected to an engine, an inertial mass, including at least a portion that includes a permanent magnet, movably mounted over the base, an actuator including an electromagnet fixedly mounted on the base to vibrate the inertial mass based on attractive and repulsive forces which alternately act between the inertial mass and the electromagnet, and a controller that regulates a current, which is applied to the electromagnet, such that vibration of the engine is dampened by vibration of the inertial mass.

Abstract: A simple self-tuned mass damper is hereby proposed for a broadened frequency band and which can be adapted to large and expensive structures as well as small and inexpensive structures alike. The novel self-tuned mass damper includes an auxiliary mass and a non-linear suspension, which is configured to connect the auxiliary mass to a vibrating structure. The mass of the auxiliary mass and the stiffness of the non-linear suspension are selected such that the natural frequency is at least 6 Hz and that the amplitude of the relative displacement of the auxiliary mass in respect to the vibrating structure is at most 12 mm.

Abstract: A vibration detection device of washing machine comprises a suspender, a damping spring, a sleeve, a bottom cover and an electromagnetic sensing device. The electromagnetic sensing device comprises an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. The upper end of the suspender is connected with a casing of the washing machine, and the sleeve sleeves the lower part of the suspender in a slidable manner. The damping spring is arranged in the sleeve and at least have two damping springs, and the damping springs have different elastic coefficients and are connected in series. The magnet is connected with the suspender, and the bottom cover is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the sleeve. The electromagnetic coil and the bottom cover are relatively fixed.

Abstract: A hydraulic bearing has a cylindrical main housing, a load-bearing spring enclosed by the main housing, a work chamber, which is at least partially enclosed by the load-bearing spring, with a work chamber volume filled with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic bearing further includes a control diaphragm, which is configured to change the work chamber volume, and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the control diaphragm for deflecting the same. The hydraulic bearing also includes an equalization chamber and a throttle duct hydraulically interconnecting the work chamber and the equalization chamber, and a cylindrical chamber housing is arranged with a first end face on an outer casing side section of the main housing, wherein the equalization chamber is formed by at least a part of an interior of the chamber housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating vehicles and other technical equipment by way of a haptic operating device having a rotating unit. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit, and a menu item being selected by rotating the rotating unit. The rotating unit latches at a number of haptically perceptible latching points during rotation. The number and rotational position of the haptically perceptible latching points is dynamically changed.

Abstract: A characteristic is set to a first transmission force characteristic. A sensitivity is set to a first sensitivity. The maximum value of the square of a product of a value representing the first transmission force characteristic and a value representing the first sensitivity in a predetermined frequency range preset so as to include a frequency at which the value representing the first transmission force characteristic takes a peak value is set to an evaluation indication value. A complex spring constant in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the rear wheel suspension is set so that the evaluation indication value takes the minimum value out of values in a variable range of the evaluation indication value.

Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating vibration transmission between first and second structures includes a rod extending entirely through, and being mechanically connected to, both of the first and second structures. The rod defines a central longitudinal axis. A piezoelectric sensor senses vibrations in at least one of the first and second structures and responsively generates a voltage. The piezoelectric sensor is disposed entirely longitudinally between the first and second structures. A piezoelectric actuator actively attenuates the vibrations sensed by the piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric actuator is at least partially driven responsive to voltage generated by the piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric actuator is disposed entirely longitudinally between the first and second structures. At least one of the piezoelectric sensor and the piezoelectric actuator has a throughhole through which the rod entirely extends.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first tube defining a first chamber and a piston head movably disposed within the first chamber. A hollow piston rod extends from the piston head. The hollow piston rod defines a rod chamber, and a tuned vibration absorber is disposed within the rod chamber of the hollow piston rod.

Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides an input device with a mechanical wheel which includes a touch sensor. In one embodiment, the wheel is a thumbwheel that uses a magnetometer to detect rotation of a magnet inside the thumbwheel. The touch sensor in one embodiment is a cylindrical floating electrode which is capacitively coupled to a bridge electrode connected to a sensing circuit. The thumbwheel may be used for horizontal scrolling, zoom and other gestures.

Abstract: A laundry device comprises an outer tub, an inner tub, an inner magnetic ring and an outer magnetic ring. One of the inner magnetic ring and the outer magnetic ring is directly or indirectly fixed on a bottom wall of the inner tub and positioned at the outer side of the bottom wall of the inner tub, and the other one is directly or indirectly fixed on a bottom wall of the outer tub and positioned at the inner side of the bottom wall of the outer tub. An upper end face and a lower end face of the inner magnetic ring have the same polarity as the upper end face and the lower end face of the outer magnetic ring so that a radial repulsion between the inner magnetic ring and the outer magnetic ring is used to suppress vibration of the inner tub and/or the outer tub.

Abstract: A washing machine comprises: an outer drum; an inner drum rotatably disposed in the outer drum; and a rotation mechanism for driving the inner drum to rotate. A rotation shaft of the rotation mechanism extends upwardly from the bottom of the outer drum to a bottom wall of the inner drum to drive the inner drum to rotate. The washing machine further comprises: at least one pair of magnets including an outer ring-shaped magnet and an inner ring-shaped magnet which is disposed at a radial inner side of the outer ring-shaped magnet and opposite to the outer ring-shaped magnet. The inner ring-shaped magnet is disposed on the rotation shaft, and the outer ring-shaped magnet is disposed at the bottom wall of the inner drum or the outer drum, so that a magnetic force between them can reduce a magnitude of vibration of the inner drum or the outer drum.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a damper control system for a reciprocating pump assembly according to which control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, there is provided a method of dampening vibrations in a pump drivetrain according to which a beginning of torque variation is detected and at least a portion of the torque variation is negated. In another aspect, signals or data associated with pump characteristics are received from sensors, torque characteristics and damper response voltages per degree of crank angle are calculated, and control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, a damper system includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a magnetorheological fluid; a flywheel disposed at least partially within the fluid chamber and adapted to be operably coupled to a fluid pump crankshaft; and a magnetic device proximate the flywheel. The magnetic device applies a variable drag force to the flywheel.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a cylinder, a piston, and a lock. The lock is transitionable between an unlocked position that permits extension and retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder, and a locked position that limits retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder. The lock is blocked from transitioning from the locked to the unlocked position when a load supported by the piston exceeds a threshold load. An exemplary method includes transitioning a lock from an unlocked to a locked position. The lock in the unlocked position permits extension and retraction of a piston relative to a cylinder. The lock in the locked position limits retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder. The method further includes holding the lock in the locked position using a load supported by the piston that exceeds a threshold load.

Abstract: To solve a problem, for example, in which holding a movable mass becomes difficult because the spring characteristics of a rubber constituting a basis are set low in order to set the characteristic value at a low value. In a first dynamic vibration absorber including a movable mass that is coupled to a vibration damping target member via an MRE as a first elastic member having elastic characteristics variable with a magnetic field, and being capable of varying a vibration characteristic value of the movable mass by controlling the magnetic field, the dynamic vibration absorber has a second elastic member different from the MRE, and the vibration damping target member and the movable mass are elastically-coupled to each other via the second elastic member.

Abstract: A dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit, a spool shaft, a spool, and a brake device. The spool shaft is rotatably supported by the reel unit. The spool includes a bobbin trunk, a shaft mount and a coupling wall. The bobbin trunk includes an internal space. The shaft mount has a tubular shape, and is penetrated by the spool shaft. The coupling wall couples the bobbin trunk and the shaft mount. The brake device includes at least one magnet disposed in opposition to the coupling wall. The brake device brakes the spool by a magnetic force applied to the coupling wall from the at least one magnet.

Abstract: Magnetic vibration damper includes three coaxial elements: a first coaxial element with first permanent magnets, a second coaxial element with first soft magnets and a third coaxial element with second permanent magnets. The first soft magnets are located between the first permanent magnets and the second permanent magnets in a radial direction. The spacing of the second permanent magnets is larger than the spacing of the first permanent magnets. The damper further includes an energy conversion component, such as conductive layers or coils to convert the mechanical movement of the magnets into heat or electric current.

Abstract: A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses.