Abstract: A sensor unit includes sensor constituent parts of various sensor devices and at least one printed circuit board that has voltage supply and signal transmission components for the sensor constituent parts and to which the sensor constituent parts are connected. The sensor unit has an annular base body that receives the sensor constituent parts and the at least one printed circuit board. A gear having such a sensor unit is also provided. A drive train having such a gear, a wind power installation having such a drive train, and an industrial application having such a gear are provided.

Abstract: A mounting pocket is provided for attaching a monitoring device to a pump bearing frame. The mounting pocket includes a recessed area located on an external side of the pump bearing frame, a flat surface within the recessed area; and at least four threaded mounting holes extending into the flat surface. At least a part of the drive bearing portion has a reduced radial wall thickness adjacent the flat surface. The threaded mounting holes are configured to receive threaded bolts from the monitoring device to secure the flat surface against a rear surface of the monitoring device. The flat surface is configured to transfer at least one of vibration or thermal energy from the pump bearing frame through the flat surface to the monitoring device.

Abstract: A device monitors the operating temperature of at least one set of bearings in a plurality of sets of bearings. The at least one set of bearings is arranged between a shaft and a carrier. The carrier has at least one temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the at least one set of bearings and generates a signal representative of an operating temperature of the at least one set of bearings. The at least one temperature sensor is operatively electrically connected to at least one controller. The controller processes the signal from the temperature sensor, including determining the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings and whether the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings exceeds at least one threshold temperature. The controller memory holds a unique identifier associated with the at least one bearing set.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for deciding whether a bearing is faulty or not. A method is performed by a controller. The method comprises obtaining, as a measurement signal, metal particles counting data, where the metal particles counting data indicates number of metal particles present in lubrication oil of the bearing per time unit. The method comprises differentiating the measurement signal, resulting in a differentiated measurement signal. The method comprises deciding, depending on how large share of a probability density estimate of the differentiated measurement signal is above a threshold value, whether the bearing is faulty or not.

Abstract: A lubricant fitting unit is for supplying lubricant to an item of equipment and includes a housing connectable with the item of equipment and providing a lubricant flow path fluidly coupleable with the item of equipment. A lubricant flowmeter is connected to the lubricant flow path and measures lubricant flow through the flow path. The fitting unit preferably includes an integrated condition monitoring system coupled to the housing, which preferably includes a temperature sensor and/or a vibration sensor. Further, the fitting unit also preferably includes a wireless data transmission device for transmitting signals received from the integrated condition monitoring system to a controller device. Also, the fitting unit may include an energy harvester mounted within the lubricant flow path for converting a portion of the kinematic energy of the lubricant flowing through the lubricant flow path into power for recharging a power unit of the monitoring device.

Abstract: A plastic sliding component for mounting without lubricant in a sliding bearing is proposed, having a moulded part which is manufactured from plastic and has a sliding face for movably guiding two bearing parts relative to one another. An electric function circuit with a sensor function for acquiring an operating parameter is arranged on the moulded part. The invention proposes that the function circuit comprises at least one conductor track structure which is formed on the moulded part as a carrier of the conductor track structure. The function circuit can preferably be applied to the prefabricated moulded part, which is made of plastic, by means of an additive fabrication method (AM method).

Abstract: A rudder for watercraft, in particular for ships, is proposed, comprising a rudder shaft arranged in a trunk pipe, a rudder blade connected to the rudder shaft and a bearing bushing arranged between trunk pipe and rudder shaft as well as a bearing clearance measuring device, wherein the bearing clearance measuring device comprises at least one sensor for abrasion-free measurement of a bearing clearance.

Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis method of a rolling bearing used in rotating machinery includes: a time acquisition step of acquiring, from an output signal detected by a sensor during the rotation of the rolling bearing, an entry time when a rolling element enters a flaking region of a bearing ring, and an escape time when the rolling element escapes from the flaking region of the bearing ring; and an estimation step of estimating a flaking size based on a flaking passage time, which is a time difference between the entry time and the escape time. When the bearing ring receives repeated load from the rolling element, the progress of the flaking occurring in the bearing ring can be quantitatively evaluated.

Abstract: A position detection device, for detecting a change in relative position of a detection object with respect to a reference portion, includes: a base portion immovable with respect to the reference portion; a following portion deformable or movable following relative movement of the detection object with respect to the reference portion; an expandable and contractible member; and a heat flux detection section. The expandable and contractible member is provided between the base portion and the following portion, is made of a material expandable and contractible according to deformation or movement of the following portion, and generates heat during contraction and absorbs heat during expansion. The heat flux detection section is provided to be subjected to heat of the expandable and contractible member, and is configured to detect a heat flux that is a flow of heat between an inside and an outside of the expandable and contractible member.

Abstract: A bearing monitoring/analysis system may comprise an acoustic emission sensor positioned adjacent a fluid film bearing, component thereof, and/or adjacent structure such that the acoustic emission sensor may collect a signal from the bearing, wherein the signal may be analyzed to allow a user to gain information regarding the fluid film bearing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is for a continuous monitoring system for early failure detection in HVAC systems. Specifically, the inventive system monitors input and output temperatures, receives HVAC operation data, and computes Delta T values and other values. With the data that is received and computed, the inventive system computes statistical variance and automatically generates alerts which are transferred remotely.

Abstract: A device for determining a rotational speed and a vibration of a wheel end of a vehicle, in particular a truck, is disclosed. The device includes a single sensor measuring a signal during a rotation of the wheel end. The sensor is arranged at the wheel end, and a determination unit for determining the rotational speed and the vibration of the wheel end using the signal of the single sensor is provided.

Abstract: A fluid degradation monitoring system may detect a replacement of a fluid of a machine. The fluid degradation monitoring system may determine, after detecting the replacement of the fluid, a first degradation estimate of the fluid using a first technique based on characteristics relating to an operation of the machine. The fluid degradation monitoring system may detect a transition in a value of a dielectric constant of the fluid from a first phase to a second phase. The fluid degradation monitoring system may determine, after detecting the transition in the value of the dielectric constant, a second degradation estimate of the fluid using a second technique based on characteristics relating to the fluid.

Abstract: An energy harvesting brake system may comprise a shaft, a roller cylinder, and a piezoelectric material. The roller cylinder may be configured to rotate relative to the shaft in response to a target moving relative to a platform. The piezoelectric material may be in operable communication with the shaft and the roller cylinder such that relative rotational motion between the shaft and the roller cylinder causes cyclic stress in the piezoelectric material thereby generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A rolling bearing of a wheel hub group for motor vehicles, equipped with a stationary radially outer ring and with respective radially outer raceways, a pair of rotatable radially inner rings equipped with respective radially inner raceways, and two rows of rolling bodies positioned between the corresponding inner and outer raceways. The rolling bearing is also equipped with a piezoelectric actuator housed in a seat of the radially outer ring, in a symmetrical position relative to the raceways, and capable of varying the strain behavior of the radially outer ring.

Abstract: A coated bearing component comprising a metallic part and a coating deposited on the metallic part. The coating is a multi-layer coating having a sensor active layer made of a material having electrostrictive properties. The sensor active layer is directly coated on the metallic part. The bearing component can be integrated into a bearing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to bearing health monitoring in power plants. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for bearing health monitoring in power plants can include receiving operational data associated with a power plant component. The method may further include receiving training data from one or more power plants. The method may further include determining a signature associated with an anomaly event of the power plant component, based at least in part on the operational data and the training data. The anomaly event of the power plant component may include a wiping of a bearing or a scoring of a bearing. The method can further include generating (1) an alert indicative of the anomaly event or (2) an alert to modify an inspection interval for the power plant component, based at least in part on a comparison of the signature with a threshold signature.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a fastener. A sensor is coupled to the fastener. A circuit board is electrically coupled to the sensor. An antenna electrically coupled to the circuit board.

Abstract: In some implementations, techniques are described for detecting abnormal installations in a property monitored by a monitoring (e.g., security) system. For instance, an aberration engine may be used to detect an abnormal sensor or system installation within a property based on comparing detected installation data against local installation patterns of local providers within a certain proximity to the property. In some examples, the attributes (e.g., installation time, components used, number of tests performed, etc.) of a monitoring system installation, including installation of components of the monitoring system, may be compared to average installation times of other nearby installations to detect abnormalities in the installation.

Abstract: Placement of structural health monitoring sensors within a coupled bearing assembly. An exemplary structural health monitoring system comprises first and second bearings configured for rotatable positioning along a structure, and a spacer positioned between the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings are placed against opposing sides of the spacer, and have a preload force engaging the respective first and second bearings against the opposing sides of the spacer. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the spacer so as to be positioned between the spacer and at least one of the first and second bearings, the sensors further coupled to at least one of the first and second bearings so as to be configured to monitor a structural health of the at least one of the first and second bearings.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for measuring hysteretic heating or stress of one or more bearings of a craft comprising: one or more non-contact temperature sensors attached to the craft and directed toward the one or more bearings; and a computer connected to the one or more non-contact temperature sensors that measure the temperature, the stress, or both of the one or more bearings before, during, or after operation of the craft, wherein the one or more non-contact temperature sensors measure a change in temperature in the one or more bearings to monitor for heating or stress of the bearings.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to obtaining data based on samples of a vibration signal, processing, by at least one processor, the data to obtain a qualitative and quantitative assessment of a health of the one or more components based on an application of the data to at least one model, and outputting the assessment. Embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to one or more components of a drive shaft of an aircraft.

Abstract: A lubrication system for providing lubrication to equipment is disclosed herein. Generally, the lubrication system includes a lubrication supply container, a lubrication pump, a conduit for providing the lubricant to the oilfield pump, and a control system for setting the operating parameters of the lubrication system. The lubrication system can also include a sensing device for measuring various operational aspects of the equipment and adjusting the amount of lubrication responsive to data measured by the sensing device.

Abstract: A device for supplying lubricant to a lubrication point in a machine, a tunnel boring machine, for example, includes a lubrication pump unit and a control unit. The lubrication pump unit is configured to supply a quantity of the lubricant to the lubrication point, and the control unit is configured to regulate the quantity of lubricant based on a sensor measurement signal. The sensor measurement signal may be based on a temperature measured in a region of the lubrication point, a pressure measured in a region of the lubrication point, a measured viscosity of the lubricant, a measured dielectricity of the lubricant, a measured water content of the lubricant, a vibration intensity measured at a part of the machine, or a measured rotational speed of a part of the machine.

Abstract: Provided is an inspection device, including: pressurizing means for pressurizing an outer member of a rolling bearing toward an inner member of the rolling bearing, the rolling bearing including the outer member and the inner member rotatable relative to each other through intermediation of balls; rotary drive means for rotating the inner member about an axial center of the inner member under a state in which the outer member is pressurized toward the inner member; detecting means for detecting vibration generated along with the rotation of the inner member so that whether or not the rolling bearing is an accepted product is determined based on values obtained through the detection; and vibration control means to be interposed between the outer member and the pressurizing means, the vibration control means including a holding portion configured to hold the detecting means in a fixed manner.

Abstract: Bearing apparatus comprising: an inner race; an outer race; a roller element positioned between the inner race and the outer race; a first sensor to sense displacement of one of: the inner race, the outer race, and the roller element, and to provide a first signal for the sensed displacement to enable a load on the bearing apparatus to be determined.

Abstract: A rolling-contact bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring with an outer surface in the form of a section of a sphere, rolling bodies between the inner ring and the outer ring, an encoder washer constrained to rotate with the inner ring, a sensor member being designed to detect a rotation of the encoder washer, and a support member having an inner surface in the form of a section of a sphere, the inner surface being designed to be in sliding contact with the outer surface of the outer ring. The support member is designed to hold the sensor member, in relation to the encoder washer, in a position in which the sensor member can detect a rotation of the encoder washer. The sensor member includes a transponder intended to communicate wirelessly with a detector.

Abstract: A method for early detection and anticipatory control of consumer-end load shedding in a single-phase or polyphase electrical grid supplied with single phase or polyphase by at least one generator driven by at least one rotating machine includes measuring a current and a voltage between the at least one generator and the electrical grid and/or a current and a voltage in the electrical grid, deriving at least one signal from the measured current and voltage and using the at least one derived signal to act on the at least one rotating machine.

Abstract: Automatic weighing method for washing machine, where determination of temperature of an engine by frequency modulator is processed, during that measuring of amount of current passing through the winding of the engine of the washing machine during its inaction is done, and afterwards calculation of resistance of the winding of the engine of the washing machine based on amount of measured current is effected, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to distribution angular speed (?0), which is intended to distribute laundry in the drum of the washing machine, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to medium angular speed (?1), which is intended to spread the laundry on the inner surface of the drum of the washing machine, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is decreased up to measuring angular speed (?2), during that a value of unbalance of the drum of the washing machine is determined, afterwards angular speed of th

Abstract: A measurement module for monitoring an operating condition of a roller bearing having a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring rotating with respect to each other around a rotation axis comprises an energy harvesting device operable to generate energy from a relative movement between the first and second bearing rings and at least one deformation sensor operable to provide a deformation signal indicative of a deformation of a surface region of one bearing ring of the first and the second bearing rings. The deformation sensor is powered by the energy harvesting device. An evaluation circuit is operable to determine, using the deformation signal, a strain signal indicative of a present load on the bearing. The evaluation circuit is powered by the energy harvesting device and a common housing encloses the energy harvesting device, the deformation sensor and the evaluation circuit.

Abstract: A warning device having a close range wireless interface is provided. The warning device includes a body portion, top portion, a base portion, a microcontroller for controlling the device, a battery, at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of the bearing, and at least one illuminating device for displaying the health status of the bearing. The close range wireless interface includes an RFID tag having an integrated circuit, and a radio, an antenna for receiving and transmitting modulated and demodulated signals, and a digital bus connecting the microcontroller to the RFID tag. The microcontroller stores at least one of the sensed velocity, enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into a memory disposed within the RFID tag. The memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfer via the RFID radio or via the digital bus.

Abstract: A method of reading sensor values from or writing programming alarm and monitoring algorithm parameters into a warning device for monitoring a bearing having a close range wireless interface is disclosed. The method of reading or writing includes providing an RFID tag having an integrated circuit with memory, a radio for modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal, an antenna for receiving and transmitting the radio-frequency signal, and a digital bus mounted to a PCB, the digital bus connecting a microcontroller to the RFID tag. The steps of downloading the parameters into memory, accessing the parameters with the microcontroller and adapting the parameters according to the stored parameters are carried out during a write operation. The steps of uploading the stored sensor value from memory to the radio, and transmitting the sensor value with the radio via the antenna are carried out during the reading operation.

Abstract: An arrangement including a portion of a radially outer lateral surface of an inner ring of wheel hub on which an annular step is formed on the side of a constant velocity joint. The step is an L-shaped fold of a sleeve portion of a first shield that is protrudingly mounted, a flange portion of which shield radially extends so as to protrude towards an outer ring of a wheel hub, in front of a flange portion of a second shield; the L-shaped fold defines, with a wing thereof, a tubular element arranged straddling wheel hub and an outer ring of the constant velocity joint, which has a free end supporting an annular seal; an annular signal generating insert completely covers a face of the flange portion where it is provided with a shallow recess defining, together with the L-shaped fold, a thrust shoulder for mounting the first shield.

Abstract: Electric arc discharges between bearing rings in a roller bearing are analyzed by setting a defined operating state based on rotational speed of the roller bearing, temperature of the roller bearing, an imbalance of the roller bearing causing vibrations, lubricants, axial/radial/tilt loads, tilting of the bearing rings relative to each other, pulse shape and pulse repetition rate of an applied electrical voltage, bearing play, and pre-existing damage to the roller bearing. A pulse-shaped electrical voltage between inner and outer bearing ring generates electric arc discharges, wherein for each electric arc discharge a characteristic value representative of energy, power, voltage and/or current and duration of the electric arc discharge is determined. Only those electric arc discharges are evaluated that have a qualifying value determined in accordance with at least one of the characteristic values greater than a predefined limit value.

Abstract: A system includes more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of rotating equipment and a blind fault detection device. The blind fault detection device includes an input interface configured to receive at least one input signal from the one or more sensors. The blind fault detection device also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating equipment using the at least one input signal. The blind fault detection device further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by determining at least one family of frequencies related to at least one sensor point, determining an average energy for the at least one sensor point based on the at least one family of frequencies, and comparing the average energy to a baseline value.

Abstract: A rotational element monitoring process (700) utilizing a machine condition indicating sensor and monitoring device (100) adapted to a rotating machine (410). The process (700) monitors at least one operating characteristic of a rotating element of a rotating machine. The operating characteristics can include velocity (500), acceleration (500), temperature (600), etc. The process (700) establishes a baseline value (524, 624) for each operating characteristic. An alarm threshold (530, 630) is determined by either a predetermined percentage difference (540) or a predetermined quantified delta (640). The device establishes a measurement schedule (740) retaining the device in a sleep mode (740) and pulsing a condition investigation in accordance with a frequency. The frequency increases (742) when approaching or exceeding an alarm condition. The device (100) indicates an alarm condition by illuminating an alarm indicating light (220, 222, 224).

Abstract: A warning device and for monitoring a health status of a bearing mounted to a piece of rotating machinery is provided. The warning device includes a generally cylindrical body portion, an annular top portion, a base portion, and a battery for powering the device. The device has at least one sensor that senses one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature value of the bearing and at least one light emitting diode that displays the health status of the bearing according to input from one of the sensors. A mounting pad integral to the base portion allows the warning device to be mounted to rotating industrial machinery. A circuit board is disposed within the body and at least one thermally conductive circuit board trace is integrally disposed within the mounting pad. The trace conducts heat from the mounting pad to one of the at least one sensors.

Abstract: Various inventive features are disclosed for efficiently generating regulation-compliant audible alerts, including but not limited to 520 Hz square wave alert/alarm signals, using an audio speaker. One such feature involves the use of a non-linear amplifier in combination with a voltage boost regulator to efficiently drive the audio speaker. Another feature involves speaker enclosure designs that effectively boost the output of the audio speaker, particularly at relatively low frequencies. Some of the disclosed speaker enclosure designs rely on an interference effect and/or a resonance effect to transfer energy from higher-order harmonics downward to the fundamental frequency and lower-order harmonics. These and other features may be used individually or combination in a given alarm-generation device or system to enable regulation-compliant audible alerts to be generated using conventional batteries, such as AA alkaline batteries.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing device component is provided. The bearing device includes a shaft and a sleeve that surrounds the shaft, and at least either one of the shaft and the sleeve is referred to as a work. The method includes: a process of forming a coating of an anti-sticking-lube polymer on the work; a process of applying a photoluminescence material to a range overlapping a range where the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer is formed; and a condition detecting process of causing the photoluminescence material to emit light by causing the work to be irradiated with excitation light that excites the photoluminescence material, and detecting an applied condition of the photoluminescence material based on the light emission of the photoluminescence material, thereby detecting a condition of the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer.

Abstract: A condition monitoring method for an electrical machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one first sensor element embedded in or disposed on at least one substrate element located in a stator core for obtaining a first set of data. The method also includes providing at least one second sensor element for obtaining a second set of data from the electrical machine. Further, the method includes generating signals indicative of changes in characteristics of the first sensor element based on the second set of data. Finally, the method includes refining the first set of data by combining the first set of data with the generated signals.

Abstract: Railcar monitoring utilizes instrumented, flexible pads supported within the truck pedestal jaws on the bearing adapters. The pads contain sensors for monitoring temperature pressure, shifting loads, truck hunting and the like and have circuitry for processing information received from the sensors and for processing and reporting departures of performance variables to a remote source. The system cyclically activates polling each pad on a car and communicates signals of critical departures and car identity to a remote source.

Abstract: A wear sensor system, compressors using the wear sensor system and methods of detecting wear on a bearing. The wear sensor system includes a stationary housing-mounted circuit comprising a first inductor electrically connected to a voltage source and a rotating shaft-mounted circuit comprising a second inductor electrically connected to a capacitor. When there is no metal-to-metal contact between the shaft of the compressor and the housing into which the shaft is mounted, the housing-mounted circuit inductively charges the shaft-mounted capacitor and reduces a current level when the shaft mounted capacitor is charged. Likewise, when there is metal-to-metal contact between the shaft and the housing (which is indicative of bearing wear), the shaft-mounted circuit is grounded; this causes the housing-mounted circuit to increase the current level. This increased current level may be output to a suitable device for display or other indicia of bearing wear.

Abstract: A warning device having a close range wireless interface is provided. The warning device includes a body portion, top portion, a base portion, a microcontroller for controlling the device, a battery, at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a velocity, an enveloped acceleration and a temperature reading of the bearing, and at least one LED for displaying the health status of the bearing. The close range wireless interface includes an RFID tag having an integrated circuit, and a radio, an antenna for receiving and transmitting modulated and demodulated signals, and a digital bus connecting the microcontroller to the RFID tag. The microcontroller stores at least one of the sensed velocity, enveloped acceleration and the temperature values into a memory disposed within the RFID tag. The memory is a dual access memory that enables data transfer via the RFID radio or via the digital bus.

Abstract: A personal care implement or toothbrush includes a sensor for detecting a position of the toothbrush and orientation display for providing content to a user. The display may be configured to present content in a mirror-image format. The personal care implement may be configured to operate in one or more modes of operation. One or more components may be included for setting variables associated with the modes of operation, for changing an orientation of the displayed content between a mirror-image format and forward-facing format, and for changing the particular mode of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting rotating machines are provided. Measurements data collected by a plurality of sensors may be received by a controller that includes one or more computers. The plurality of sensors may be configured to monitor vibrations associated with the rotating machine. Based at least in part upon the measurements data, the controller may determine that a respective amplitude change for at least two of the plurality of sensors exceeds a threshold condition. The controller may also determine that the threshold condition is exceeded for a predetermined period of time. Based at least in part upon determining that the threshold condition is exceeded for a predetermined period of time, the controller may identify an alarm event.

Abstract: The invention inter alia relates to a method for monitoring the bearing current of an electrical machine (10). An electrode (100) arranged at a distance (d) to a shaft and the shaft—due to the gap (S) between the electrode and the shaft—produce a measurement capacitance (C) and an electric shift current (i) which flows through the measurement capacitance when there is a temporal change of the voltage (Ug) applied between the shaft and the housing is measured. A measurement signal (Ms) indicating a bearing current flow is generated when the shift current or a measurement variable produced by the shift current meets a predetermined trigger criterion. Preferably, the electrode has a circular inner contour so that the gap is annular. The annular inner contour results in an error compensation in the case of a balance error of the shaft because the factor dC/dt remains at least substantially constant. Due to the contactless measurement of the shift current, no contact brushes for contacting the shaft are required.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing device component is provided. The bearing device includes a shaft and a sleeve that surrounds the shaft, and at least either one of the shaft and the sleeve is referred to as a work. The method includes: a process of forming a coating of an anti-sticking-lube polymer on the work; a process of applying a photoluminescence material to a range overlapping a range where the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer is formed; and a condition detecting process of causing the photoluminescence material to emit light by causing the work to be irradiated with excitation light that excites the photoluminescence material, and detecting an applied condition of the photoluminescence material based on the light emission of the photoluminescence material, thereby detecting a condition of the coating of the anti-sticking-lube polymer.

Abstract: It is necessary to provide inspection arrangements in order to facilitate prototype design of assemblies such as gas turbine engines as well as insitu testing of such assemblies. Previously endoscope type arrangements have been utilized, but the flexible or rigid stems in such endoscopes can cause fouling and snagging in use. By providing an inspection arrangement in which the inspection element is combined with a positioning tool such that the inspection element can be detached from the positioning tool through a releasable element, it is possible to avoid such snagging problems. The inspection element will be relatively self-sufficient and incorporate possibly a camera or other sensor for temperature of otherwise. The inspection element will typically incorporate a wireless link arrangement, or possibly incorporate a storage device for data such that the inspection element can be retrieved later with that data.

Abstract: A method of detecting motion in components that form part of a structure. The method includes flooding a first component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the first component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a first set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the first set of intermediate frequency signals. The method further includes flooding a second component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the second component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a second set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the additional reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the second set of intermediate frequency.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor acquires acoustic data corresponding to a rotating component of a machine during operation of the machine. The acoustic sensor can be configured to enhance acoustic signals in a range of frequencies corresponding to at least one evaluated condition of the rotating component and/or enhance the acoustic signals received from a directional area narrowly focused on the rotating component. The rotating component is evaluated using the acoustic data acquired by the acoustic sensor. In an embodiment, the machine can be a vehicle traveling past a parabolic microphone. In a more specific embodiment, the vehicle is a rail vehicle and the rotating component is a railroad wheel bearing.