Abstract: A surface texture measuring apparatus allowing effects of vibration disturbance to be removed and a highly accurate measurement to be achieved. The surface texture measuring apparatus is further provided with a small surface texture measuring apparatus, which detects the amount of vibration of a workpiece while maintaining a detecting device in contact with the surface of the workpiece without moving the device along the workpiece. The main surface texture measuring apparatus conducts measurement with a high accuracy based on the detected unevenness value of the surface of the workpiece and on the amount of vibration detected by the small surface texture measuring apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed methods can be used to detect the existence and location of a fault in a structure such as a building or house. Such fault can be due to damage or deterioration to structure elements, or can be due to improper use, design, or assembly, for example. The methods use optical sensing to detect vibration from a structure. The sensed vibration is highly dependent upon the condition of the structure elements, so that the existence and location of a fault in the structure can be readily detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing, storing and transmitting measurement data correlative to machine status is disclosed in which the measurement data is continuously sensed, sampled and processed to extract significant spectral elements including magnitude and phase information from each successive period of the originally measured data and to store those spectral elements in a memory means from an initial period of significant spectral elements and each successive period of significant spectral elements which have changed since the previous period for developing a compressed data history correlative to a continuous history of the status of the machine being monitored and from which continuous signals can be regenerated and analyzed for any earlier historical time.

Abstract: A machine protection system and method for rotating equipment introduces new alarming features and makes use of full proximity probe sensor information, including amplitude and phase. Baseline vibration amplitude and phase data is estimated and tracked according to operating modes of the rotating equipment. Baseline vibration and phase data can be determined using a rolling average and variance and stored in a unit circle or tracked using short term average and long term average baselines. The sensed vibration amplitude and phase is compared with the baseline vibration amplitude and phase data. Operation of the rotating equipment can be controlled based on the vibration amplitude and phase.

Abstract: Determining adjustments to decrease vibrations caused by rotating blades includes receiving a plurality of vibration values corresponding to vibrations caused by the blades, providing coefficient of vibration data that corresponds to effects on vibration caused by adjustments to the blades, where the adjustments include at least two different types of adjustments having different units of measure, applying the coefficient of vibration data to the vibration values, and solving for possible values for the adjustments that may be applied to the blades, where the possible values for the adjustments results in the vibrations being less than a predetermined value and where the different types of adjustments are normalized according to a maximum amount of adjustment for each type of adjustment. The predetermined value may correspond to an expected value of all errors. The predetermined value may be increased in order to decrease the values for the adjustments that may be applied to the blades.

Abstract: Process and device for reducing the spectral line noise inside an aircraft, especially a rotating-wing aircraft, in particular a helicopter. Said device (1) comprises sensors (Ca, Cb) for measuring the values of vibratory and/or acoustic parameters, controllable mechanical elements (A) forming secondary sources of noise, and a main computer (CAL) determining, on the basis of the values measured by the sensors (Ca, Cb), control commands for the mechanical elements (A), as well as at least one reference sensor (CO) for measuring a reference parameter which is correlated with the noise, and possibly an auxiliary computer (4) for calculating, on the basis of the values measured by the reference sensor (CO), a reference signal, and said main computer (CAL) determines the control commands by carrying out filtering with respect to the reference signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the condition of a machine (100) with a measuring point (90), which method is performed by a movable analysis apparatus (30). The method comprises the steps of producing a condition value, by means of measuring at the measuring point, which condition value is dependent on the actual condition of the machine, and storing the condition value in a writable information carrier (120) which is place by, or in the vicinity of, the measuring point (90) so that the condition value subsequently can be used as a reference condition value. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method and a device for co-operating with the analysis apparatus and for mounting by a measuring point on machine (100).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring pressure on a member. The systems and methods include exciting the member to create a current vibratory response in the member and detecting the current vibratory response. The current vibratory response is then compared to at least one of a plurality of previously recorded vibratory responses of the member. The pressure on the member is then estimated based on the comparison of the current vibratory response to the plurality of previously recorded vibratory responses.

Abstract: Vibration induced errors in sensors are predicted based on a measurement of vibration power spectra. Accelerometer samples are used to estimate vibration power spectral densities. A calibration procedure using suitable vibration stimulus provides the ability to estimate sensitivity coefficients to be used to compensate for the vibration induced error. The vibration power spectrum estimates are combined with previously obtained calibration coefficients to generate real time vibration-induced error corrections. Vibration bias sensitivity coefficients are estimated in a controlled environment to ensure their accuracy to compensate the sensor in real-time applications using acceleration measurement devices such as accelerometers mounted to a rigid sensor assembly shared with the sensor to be compensated. Vibration bias estimates are then used to correct the outputs of the sensors(s) being compensated for vibration-induced error.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a noise index for a mechanical system in which noise data is acquired over a predetermined frequency range. A fundamental harmonic frequency is chosen and this fundamental harmonic frequency is used to mark harmonic and sub-harmonic data bins. The amplitude of the harmonic and sub-harmonic data bins are recorded and a plurality of sub-harmonic bins equally offset from the center of each harmonic frequency are averaged and the average is subtracted from the preceding harmonic level. The result is accumulated as harmonic content levels to generate a harmonic index number.

Abstract: Two acceleration detectors (11A and 11B) are dispose at a distance L from each other on the ground. A vibration exciter (15) vibrates the surface of the ground in the vertical direction to generate surface waves. A measuring instrument (12) includes a seismometer unit (12-1) for receiving detection signals from the two acceleration detectors to generate acceleration time-series signals, which are analog, and an A/D converter unit (12-2) for converting the analog acceleration time-series signals into digital acceleration time-series signals. The measuring instrument is connected to a personal computer (13) for receiving the time-series signals and then processing the signals on the basis of a predetermined analysis program, thereby calculating a mean propagation velocity Vr(f) and a depth D(f).

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: A modal analysis method and apparatus for acoustically determining dynamic vibration characteristics of a structure, including natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping factors, is based on a Multiple-Input-Single-Output (MISO) model. The method and apparatus involve generation of an acoustic excitation signal toward n spatially distributed locations associated with the structure while the latter is held to allow vibration thereof, one of the locations being chosen as a reference location. A series of microphones are disposed at the locations to produce m complementary sets of n input acoustic pressure-related electrical signals, one of these being chosen as a reference signal associated with the reference location. A Fourier analysis is performed on the sets of input acoustic pressure-related electrical signals to provide corresponding sets of correlated input acoustic pressure-related data in the frequency domain including reference data associated with the reference signal.

Abstract: Vibration data is transmitted from a remote site to a control facility using wireless data transmission. In one embodiment, the vibration signal is conditioned and digitized, and then sent via a page transmitter to the control facility.

Abstract: A diagnostic vibration data collector and analyzer which incorporates an expert system within a portable computer such as a laptop or notebook type computer. The expert system analyzes vibration data acquired via a sensor coupled to the collector/analyzer in order to diagnose a condition of a machine under test. Several collector/analyzers may form part of a system in which peer to peer replication of data and information is performed so as to obviate the need for a central host computer and/or data base. Such system may include one or more stationary computers also serving as peers.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing vibrations signals thereby identifying damage or original manufacture defects in a vibrating device. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises collecting vibration signal data from at least one vibrating device, wherein the vibrating device includes at least an rotating inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and a plurality of rotating elements. The vibration signal data is enveloped and converted into a frequency domain signal. The amplitude of the frequency domain signal at certain defect frequencies is divided by a noise floor to provide a damage index. If the damage index exceeds an adjustable user-defined threshold, a warning is generated so as to alert a user of damage or original manufacture defects in the vibrating device.

Abstract: A signal analysis system and method for analyzing an input signal acquired from a mechanical system. The mechanical system may include at least one rotating apparatus. The signal analysis system may be configured to: (a) receive samples of the input signal, (b) perform an invertible joint time-frequency transform (e.g.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

Abstract: A technique for detecting problems in a rotating machine is configured by the user specifying components and the functional characteristics of a particular installation of a rotating machine. The machine specification are used to identify salient observations that can be derived from measurement data regarding the machine performance. Rule are specified by the user to deduce machine signatures from the salient observations and detect problems evidenced by the machine signatures.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly, such as a crack, in a rotor includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.

Abstract: A signal analysis system and method for analyzing an input signal acquired from a mechanical system. The mechanical system may include at least one rotating apparatus. The signal analysis system may include an input for receiving samples of an input signal acquired from the mechanical system, wherein the input signal is sampled in time, and wherein the input signal comprises a plurality of order components. The signal analysis system may also include a processor coupled to the input and a memory medium coupled to the processor which stores analysis software.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is configured to monitor utility meters in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein each wireless transmitter is integrated into a sensor adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer on a network. The dedicated computer, collects, compiles, and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network.

Abstract: The invention concerns the design methodology for high speed rotating shafts based on the wave spectrum analysis of the vibrational modes of elastic circular rods and shells. In accord with the invention, a shaft is designed by (1) selecting the material of the shaft; (2) determining dilational wave speed of the material as a function of frequency; (3) determining shear wave speed of the material as a function of frequency; (4) solving for critical frequencies of the shaft by solving a three-dimensional characteristic frequency equation for the shaft, the equation being defined by the dilational wave speed, the shear wave speed, and the inner and outer radius of the shell, the critical frequencies defining functions that depend upon physical dimensions of the inner and outer radius; and (5) specifying the inner and outer radius of the shell by minimizing cross-over of critical frequencies over operational rotational speeds of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring equipment (1) that includes at least two sensors (2, 3), each being adapted to sense a measurement magnitude, a measuring card (6) to which said sensors (2, 3) are coupled, and a computer unit to which the measuring card is coupled. At least one of the sensors (2) is adapted to sense prevailing frequencies of an object (11) to be measured. At least one of the sensors (3) is adapted to evaluate prevailing tacho-pulses of an object (11) to be measured. The circuits in said measuring card (16) are adapted to evaluate prevailing sound and vibrations generated by the rotating object (11) in response to information received with respect to prevailing frequency and prevailing tacho-pulses, by dividing the time distance between two tacho-pulses into a number of sub-sections and generating a circuit-internal tacho-signal for each sub-section.

Abstract: A processing system and method is used to process acoustic and non-acoustic test data acquired from a number of data collectors. The post-processing system and method is implemented as software and hardware capable of running on a PC. The processing system interfaces with a data acquisition (DAQ) system that acquires calibration signals and test data from the data collectors at a test facility. The processing system uses the calibration signals to determine calibration factors representing the relationship between the test data and the appropriate engineering units. The processing system processes the acoustic and non-acoustic test data, applies the appropriate calibrations factors, and plots the acoustic and non-acoustic test data as a function of time to generate run-time plots. Data values are stored and plotted against calculated baseline curves to generate envelope or baseline plots of the collected data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and using data is disclosed. There is at least one sensor that placed within a workspace for sensing vibrations associated with at least one machine operating in the workspace. In addition, there is at least one tag associated with a particular job. The tag indicates the contemporaneous status of tasks relating to the job. At least one processor is in communication with each of the at least one acoustic sensors and at least one tag. This processor receives data relating to acoustic and task status from the at least one acoustic sensor and at least one tag. The acoustic sensor senses vibration and/or sound. Workflow analysis and fault diagnosis and prediction are then based on data collected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring acoustic emission signals in machinery that processes solid material such as aspirin to detect rubbing conditions. The apparatus includes an acoustic signal processing system having a computer, an acoustic signal processing program capable of configuring the computer as a filter, and a rubbing signal identifier that configures the computer to set filter conditions for the filter and to detect a rubbing signal. The filter conditions remove some operating noise having a hit rate higher than the operating rate of the rotating part of the machinery by excluding amplitudes less than a front end filter threshold amplitude and durations less than a front end filter duration. The rubbing signals are detected according to the criteria: intensity greater than a predetermined intensity, acoustic emission activity greater than the operating rate of the rotating part and signal length greater than a predetermined signal length.

Abstract: A mechanical degree of freedom is provided between electrodes and sensors, thereby accomplishing both of the assurance of an arranging position precision of the sensors and the easiness of manufacturing. In a coordinates input apparatus for detecting a coordinates position on the basis of a delay time which is required until an elastic wave oscillation which propagates on an oscillation propagating plate arrives at an oscillation sensor, an oscillation sensor is fixed in a manner such that one electrode surface is come into contact with a conductive surface of an oscillation propagating plate. A contact member is positioned onto the other electrode surface of the oscillation sensor by an annular member by using an external shape of the sensor as a reference. An electrode unit includes a signal electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode is come into contact with the conductive surface so as to be electrically conductive thereto.

Abstract: A method for determining a minimal set of adjustments for the blades of a rotor supported by a supporting structure for reducing rotation-induced vibration in the supporting structure at at least one harmonic rotation order and/or for reducing track deviation while maintaining structure vibration over at least one harmonic order within an acceptable limit. In one embodiment, a relationship is established by which vibration of the supporting structure may be calculated at harmonic orders of rotor rotation from Fourier coefficients of adjustment, Fourier coefficients of unit vibration influence and Fourier coefficients of vibration measurements. Thereafter, a value is determined for each selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment that provides a desired virtual reduction of vibration of the supporting structure at the harmonic order of the selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment using the vibration relationship.

Abstract: A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a testing system and a testing method for a structure which tests a structure made of a test piece structure and a numerical model virtually connected to the structure. A simulated structure including a frame, an actuator and a reaction force measuring device is mounted on a foundation on which a shaking table is also mounted. Only the test piece structure is mounted on the shaking table. The motion of the shaking table 5 which is generated at the time of shaking the test piece structure using the shaking table and the actuator is measured by a shaking table motion measuring device, while the reaction force generated by the test piece structure is measured by a reaction force measuring device. Using these measured values and the numerical model stored in a digital computer, the motion of the test piece structure after a predetermined period for the motion of the simulated structure is calculated.

Abstract: A calculating device and method provided for a shaking test apparatus for carrying out a shaking test on a structure by using a partial structure and a numerical model which is virtually connected to the partial structure. The calculating device includes a calculation part which identifies a vibration model corresponding to the partial structure on the basis of displacement and reaction force detected in response to shaking and which combines the vibration model and the numerical model with each other to construct a model of the overall system corresponding to the structure and calculates the shaking response of the overall system model.

Abstract: An input pen includes a vibration generating element for generating a vibration, a vibration transmitting member for transmitting the vibration generated by the vibration generating element, and a pen tip member attached to a point of the vibration transmitting member and made of a material having viscoelasticity.

Abstract: A tire defect detection system including a support structure for receiving a tire; an actuator disposed proximate the tire for impacting the tire; a microphone disposed proximate the actuator for receiving a sound wave generated when the actuator impacts the tire; and a computer responsive to the microphone, the computer programmed to calculate a number of discriminator quantities from the resulting sound wave and to compare the calculated discriminator quantities with stored discriminator quantities indicative of a defect to determine whether a defect is present in the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for human presence detection in vehicles where a vehicle vibration sensor is provided to sense vehicle vibration. This vibration signal is processed to obtain a measure of vehicle vibration independent of vehicle damping. Also, a seismic sensor senses ground vibrations in the area of the vehicle simultaneously with the sensing of vehicle vibration, and if the ground vibration exceeds a first threshold, the measure of vehicle vibration is discarded. Similarly, an infrasonic sensor may be used to sense infrasonic wind vibrations adjacent to the vehicle simultaneously with the sensing of vehicle vibration. When the infrasonic vibration within a desired frequency range exceeds a second threshold value, the measure of vehicle vibration is discarded.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the automated diagnosis of monitored objects, especially of drive strings, with a stationary, fully automatically operating data collecting unit positioned on the monitored object and a monitoring terminal spatially separated therefrom, whereby the quantitative description of the damage condition and therefore the activation of data transfer and subsequent reporting of diagnosis statements at the monitoring terminal is triggered by the significance of a damage property correspondingly weighted by the damage type, or a combination of different damage properties, which are specified by the amplitude of the physical variable corresponding to the kinetic occurrences which are formed for the harmonic excitation within the spectrum of the wide band signal detected by way of sensors at the machine surface, or for the impact impulse type excitation of the high pass filtered envelope curve spectrum of the same signal, or for the discontinuously appearing determinant impulse excitation from t

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a system comprises performing at each of a plurality of times the steps of:

Abstract: A vibration data processor and processing method uses a frequency domain filter having low pipeline delay and accurate time domain signal reconstruction. The filter may be user configurable, and the filter may receive input data from a variable number of decimation stages. Sequences of extracted vibrational features are routed to a variable length output buffer for event detection.

Abstract: A drive system is taught for controlling the modal content of any number of drive signals used to excite any number of drives on a vibrating conduit such as is found in a Coriolis mass flowmeter or a vibrating tube densimeter. One or more motion signals are obtained from one or more spatially distinct feedback sensors. The motion signals are preferably filtered using a multi-channel modal filter to decompose the motion signals, each of which contain modal content at a plurality of vibration modes, into n single degree of freedom modal response signals. Each modal response signal corresponds to one of the vibration modes at which the vibrating conduit is excited. The n modal response signals are input to a drive channel having a separate processing channel for each of the n modal response signals.

Abstract: A vibration change is detected by a touch signal probe having a vibrator (16) composed of a stylus support (10) and a stylus (13) attached thereto, and a vibrating/detecting means (12) provided to the stylus support (10) for applying vibration to the vibrator (16) and detecting a vibration condition changing when the stylus (13) touches a workpiece. The vibrator (16) is vibrated at a frequency equivalent to secondary intrinsic frequency (w2) to make resonance and the vibration change is detected by superposing a vibration component of primary intrinsic frequency (w1). Though the vibration at the secondary intrinsic frequency (w2) has high Q value, response amplitude is small. Accordingly, the vibration change is amplified by superposing the vibration component of the primary intrinsic frequency (w1).

Abstract: A system consisting of an accelerometer sensor attached to a centrifuge enclosure for sensing vibrations and outputting a signal in the form of a sine wave with an amplitude and frequency that is passed through a pre-amp to convert it to a voltage signal, a low pass filter for removing extraneous noise, an A/D converter and a processor and algorithm for operating on the signal, whereby the algorithm interprets the amplitude and frequency associated with the signal and once an amplitude threshold has been exceeded the algorithm begins to count cycles during a predetermined time period and if a given number of complete cycles exceeds the frequency threshold during the predetermined time period, the system shuts down the centrifuge.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection and analyzing unit for collecting and analyzing vibration data induced by a rotating shaft including a processor that first converts the analog vibration signal into corresponding digital vibration samples. Thereafter, the processor provides in response to the digital vibration samples, corresponding output vibration samples in which samples within each set of output vibration samples are provided at a rate that varies as a function of variations in the speed of the rotating shaft. A digital processor then collects a time waveform record in response to a plurality of the output vibration samples, wherein the sample rate for the output vibration samples collected in the time waveform record varies as a function of variations in the speed of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: Analog test signals may be picked up from the test object with vibration sensors. A computer is equipped with a standard interface card which is connected by an interface, preferably parallel interface, and serves to digitize the test signals. A switching means serves to generate a trigger signal which can be input over a preferably serial interface. An executive routine in the computer switches the input of test signals on and off via the trigger signal.

Abstract: A shaking response is estimated with high precision by performing a shaking test f or combining and estimating a shaking characteristic of a partial structure of an object under test obtained through a shaking test and a shaking response of the whole structure which is numerically modeled. In a shaking test apparatus and method, a structure under test comprises a partial structure and a numerical model which is virtually connected to the partial structure. First, a vibration model corresponding to the partial structure is assumed, the numerical model and the vibration model are combined to construct an overall-system model, and then the vibration response of the overall-system model is calculated. On the basis of the calculation result and the signal input from a waveform oscillator, the partial structure is shaken by using a shaker.

Abstract: An industrial machine in which vibration exerted on a position detector provided for an axis of the machine is detected and countermeasures against the vibration can be swiftly taken. A ball screw is driven by a servo motor MZ supplied with power from a servo amplifier via a power line so that a cutting unit is advanced and retracted. A spindle motor MS above the cutting unit rotates a cutting tool via a spindle shaft and a workpiece W on an XY table is machined. An acceleration detection element is built in a position detector attached to a motor shaft of the servo motor MZ. An angle detection signal for servo control and a vibration level signal outputted by the acceleration detection element are converted into serial signals and are transmitted to a controller (axis control circuit of Z-axis) via the common signal line. The controller takes measures of changing the machining condition (for example, change of spindle rotational speed) and stopping the machine in accordance with a rank of the vibration.

Abstract: An electronic wheel balancer performs imbalance measurements at variable speeds for different size wheels. The inertia of a wheel mounted on the balancer is determined by measuring the acceleration time of the wheel from a first speed to a second higher speed and the operating speed is adjusted accordingly. An improved operator interface pod incorporates correction plane indicators/selection buttons adjacent the weight display. Auxiliary weight storage is also provided.

Abstract: A vibration coupling stud for use in a vibration monitoring system includes digital memory and temperature sensing devices. Data is transferred between the vibration coupling stud and a vibration monitor. Data stored in the stud may include asset identification code, measuring point identification, prior measurement data, machine or bearing part numbers, and alarm limits.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotation member having a pair of floats having different weights. The floats are fixed thereto at such positions that turning moment is produced due to one of a floating force and a sinking force for each of the floats. The apparatus further includes a rotation angle sensor for sensing a change in rotation angle of the rotation member as a change in concentration of the solute in the solution.

Abstract: An inspecting apparatus includes a measuring device and a processing unit. The measuring device is provided with a vibration detector for detecting the vibration of a steam trap when a valve thereof is closed. The processing unit is provided with a performance deterioration value calculator for converting the detected vibration level of the steam trap into a sealing performance deterioration value representing a deterioration level of the sealing performance of the valve of the steam trap under a reference steam pressure value using a working steam pressure value, a display for displaying a rank of the sealing performance obtained based on the sealing performance deterioration value, and a trap list storage for storing the sealing performance deterioration value and the rank of the sealing performance as well as ID information of the steam trap. The steam trap can be more precisely inspected.

Abstract: In a method for initiating protective measures on rapidly running rotary machines upon the occurrence of impermissible vibrations, or other disturbances which cause vibrations, the vibrations are measured as measured variables essentially at the bearings of the rotors or derived values. In a first relatively long time interval (t1) a number of measured data of this measured variable are recorded and conditioned using an equalizing function. In a second, relatively short time interval (t2) the measured data of the same measured variable which are current in this time interval are recorded. Thereafter, these current measured data are compared with the conditioned measured data of the relatively long time interval (t1) and, depending on the result of the comparison, a monitoring signal corresponding the result, or an emergency shutdown signal is triggered.