Abstract: A defect detection method of a turbine generator end ring includes a first ultrasonic testing step of conducting ultrasonic testing by an angle beam technique to the turbine generator end ring, a second ultrasonic testing step of conducting, when an indication echo is detected by the first ultrasonic testing step, ultrasonic testing by a focusing straight beam technique to a portion of the turbine generator end ring from which an indication echo is detected and an interpretation step of interpreting whether the indication echo is a defect echo or a false echo based on a testing result by the second ultrasonic testing step.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle structured to inspect a portion of the turbine disk, preferably the blade attachment hubs, while the turbine disk is disposed within a turbine housing assembly is provided. A turbine disk is generally planar but includes a inner hub and an outer blade attachment hub. The inner hub is coupled to a shaft and the blade attachment hub provides a surface to which removable blades are attached. The area between the inner hub and outer blade attachment hub is substantially planar. The inner and blade attachment hubs are the “inspection areas” that the inspection vehicle is structured to inspect. The inspection vehicle travels over, and is magnetically coupled to, the planar surface between the two hubs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time monitoring of a compressor section to determine the possibility of a crack forming on a rotating blade. The present invention does not require the shutdown of the machine. The present invention may be configured to automatically raise an alarm if the acoustic signature of the compressor changes in way that may be consistent with the cracking of a blade.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a plant diagnostic system for diagnosing a problem with the plant. The plant diagnostic system can include an agent-based plant diagnostic network that has an adaptive global agent located in a central facility, a plant expert agent located at the plant and a plurality of subsystem resident agents. Each of the subsystem resident agents can be assigned to a subsystem of the plant. A diagnosis agent can also be included, the diagnosis agent operable to be instructed by the adaptive global agent, transmitted to the plant expert agent, be received by the plant expert agent, transmitted by the plant expert agent back to the adaptive global agent and be received by the adaptive global agent.

Abstract: A system is provided for estimating a condition of a non-conductive hollow structure exposed to a lightning strike. The structure has an internal cavity. The system includes a pressure transducer to measure a pressure of an acoustic wave generated within the internal cavity due to the lightning strike. The system further includes a controller coupled to the pressure transducer, to receive the measured pressure from the pressure transducer, and to process the condition of the structure, based on the measured pressure.

Abstract: Adjustment of the distance between the tip of a pickup section and the outer surface of a shaft of a rotor can be carried out easily and with high precision.

Abstract: A method of determining the rotary, rotationally immobile or mobile, state of a vehicle wheel, according to which the signal delivered by an active motion sensor fitted to the wheel is analyzed instantly according to a procedure consists, firstly, at time t1, in connecting the motion sensor to an analog circuit including at least one capacitor and interposed between the motion sensor and a first input of an electronic comparison element, so as to store in the capacitor reference value V1 representing the value of the signal at t1. Thereafter, the motion sensor is connected to a second input of the comparison element, to compare V1 with a value V2 representing the value of the signal at time t2, and to deliver a diagnostic signal representing either a rotationally immobile state of the wheel when V1=V2, or a rotationally mobile state of the wheel when V1?V2.

Abstract: A module for on-line vibration detection and adjustment and machining center using the same are provided in the present invention, wherein the module is disposed at the machining center having an interface of feedrate override and an interface of spindle override and the inverter. The module comprises at least one vibration sensor for detecting the vibrating status of the machining center, thereby generating corresponding at least one sensing signal and a processor for processing the at least one sensing signal so as to generate a spindle adjusting signal for the interface of spindle override and the inverter and a feedrate adjusting signal for the interface of the federate override. The computer numerical controller receives the spindle adjusting signal and the feedrate adjusting signal from the interface of the spindle override and federate override respectively and accordingly controls the feedrate and spindle rate of the machining center.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a parameter of an object includes a probe, a first sensing member for detecting the parameter of an object to be sensed and a second sensing member for determining an orientation of the probe relative to the object to be sensed. The second sensing member communicates the orientation of the probe to a data acquisition device to minimize data analysis errors associated with inaccurate orientation information.

Abstract: The vibration suppressing device includes vibration sensors, a FFT calculating unit, a store device, a calculating unit, and a NC device. The vibration sensors detect a time-domain vibrational acceleration of a rotary shaft during rotating. The FFT calculating unit calculates a frequency of chatter vibration and a frequency-domain vibrational acceleration in the frequency of chatter vibration on the basis of the detected time-domain vibrational acceleration. The store device stores the frequency-domain vibrational acceleration, the frequency of chatter vibration and the like as machining information.

Abstract: A stable rotation speed is acquired by finely changing a rotation speed of a rotary shaft 3 based on an expected stable rotation speed, and calculating an amount of change of a k? number, and the like. Therefore, a more accurate rotation speed can be acquired, and “chatter vibration” generated during machining can be suppressed more effectively than a conventional method. As a result, a quality of a workpiece surface can be improved, and a tool wear and the like can be suppressed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for troubleshooting noise/vibration issues of rotating components, the method comprising: receiving an audio signal of the rotating components in operation; generating a frequency spectrum corresponding to the audio signal; selecting a frequency ?m in the frequency spectrum corresponding to a maximum amplitude; and comparing the frequency ?m to a set of predetermined rotational speeds of the rotating components to find a match; thereby identifying a potentially defective component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a measuring and evaluation device for determining defects in a turbine blade and to a fixing device for fixing a probe to a turbine blade surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time monitoring of a compressor section to determine the possibility of a crack forming on a rotating blade. The present invention does not require the shutdown of the machine. The present invention may be configured to automatically raise an alarm if the acoustic signature of the compressor changes in way that may be consistent with the cracking of a blade.

Abstract: A method for optimizing an operation of at least one wind turbine includes defining a plurality of test parameters that include a plurality of test points for at least one wind turbine operational parameter, wherein each test point includes a plurality of test values for the wind turbine operational parameter, and defining at least one test sequence of the plurality of test points. The method also includes initiating a test that executes the plurality of test points within the at least one randomized test sequence and measures at least one operating condition of the at least one wind turbine at each test point.

Abstract: An inspection head where non-destructive inspection is structured to fit into narrow spaces, and to accurately and repeatably move an inspection probe along a surface to be inspected. Movement of the inspection head along an X, Y, Z, ?, and ?-axis is precisely controlled by individual drive mechanisms.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that is able to detect noise to which the electronic device is exposed and an internal temperature of the device. The device contains a cooling unit to cool at least a portion of the electronic device and a subsystem coupled to the microphone and/or a thermal sensor and further coupled to the cooling unit. The cooling unit adjusts according to the detected noise and internal temperature. A method for cooling an electronic device is also provided. The method comprises monitoring the noise of the device's ambient environment, monitoring an internal temperature of the device, and actuating a user interface. The method provides for cooling the device by adjusting fan speed, clock speed, or power supply voltage applied to the device based on the noise of the ambient environment, an internal temperature of the device, and actuation of the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention describes an order tracking system (200) and method (100) for tracking at least one order from mechanical and/or acoustic vibrations generated by a periodic excitation process of a physical system. The order tracking system (200) comprises a means for obtaining (212) a mechanical and/or acoustic vibration data of a physical system and a means for obtaining (214) system reference data. It further comprises a means for combining (224) the mechanical and/or acoustic vibration data with the system reference data and a means for applying (226) a digital FIR filter to at least the mechanical and/or acoustic vibration data for deriving based thereon at least one order.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for sensing vibration in rotary or reciprocating machinery, such as motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes, compressors, turbo-machinery or high-speed spindles, which comprises a mechanical isolation member (14) interposed between a sensor base (15) and a main sensor body (11). In one aspect, the mechanical isolation member comprises a coaxial cylinder of plastic, rubber or polyurethane which is compressed between the sensor base and main sensor body.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for holding an inner race of a bearing stationary with respect to rotational movement while leaving a hub that is fixed in rotation with an outer race of the bearing unencumbered. The hub is excited by contactingly engaging it with a predetermined mechanical force. The resonance response of the hub to the excitation is determined and used to characterize the bearing qualitatively.

Abstract: A system (1100) for fatigue testing wind turbine blades (1102) through forced or resonant excitation of the base (1104) of a blade (1102). The system (1100) includes a test stand (1112) and a restoring spring assembly (1120) mounted on the test stand (1112). The restoring spring assembly (1120) includes a primary spring element (1124) that extends outward from the test stand (1112) to a blade mounting plate (1130) configured to receive a base (1104) of blade (1102). During fatigue testing, a supported base (1104) of a blade (1102) may be pivotally mounted to the test stand (1112) via the restoring spring assembly (1120). The system (1100) may include an excitation input assembly (1140) that is interconnected with the blade mounting plate (1130) to selectively apply flapwise, edgewise, and/or pitch excitation forces.

Abstract: A method for identifying an unfolded non-synchronous blade vibration frequency in blades on a rotating rotor using a plurality of probes spaced from each other about the rotor. A set of data is acquired from the probes during a predetermined number of rotor revolutions and is processed using a Fourier analysis to generate an output representative of frequencies and phase shift angles corresponding to blade vibrations. The phase shift angles are used to identify a subharmonic for a blade vibration frequency to provide an output identifying the vibration frequency. A space dispersion and time dispersion of probes is described to increase the accuracy of the subharmonic determination using the phase shift angles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mechanical device to facilitate in-situ measurements of vibration associated with a corresponding component in a computer system are described. This mechanical device includes a housing that has approximately a same mass as the component, approximately a same distribution of mass about a geometric center of the component, and approximately a same form factor as the component. Moreover, the mechanical device includes one or more vibration sensors, which are mechanically coupled to the housing, and which are configured to perform the in-situ vibration measurements.

Abstract: A method for predicting a blade structure failure within a coupled blade structure including a plurality of blades supported for rotation on a rotor and a shroud structure coupling the blades. The method includes the steps of determining displacements of a plurality of predetermined circumferential locations on the shroud structure during rotation of the blade row, where the displacements are provided as a function of time relative to the periodic rotation of the shroud structure for time intervals that are integer multiples of rotor rotation. A signal characteristic related to vibrational mode and a nodal diameter of the shroud structure is derived based on the displacements of the circumferential locations on the shroud structure.

Abstract: A device for attachment to a motor vehicle wheel includes an arrangement which, during movement or driving of the motor vehicle, detects vibrations which occur, evaluates the vibrations for an incipient fault state of a wheel bearing of the vehicle wheel, and delivers a signal when the monitoring or evaluation yields or indicates the incipient fault state.

Abstract: A abnormality diagnosing apparatus used in a machine equipment including a rotating or sliding part relative to a stationary member includes a detecting portion 31 fixed to the rotating or sliding part or the stationary member and including a vibration sensor 32 and a temperature sensor 33, and a signal processing portion 81 for determining a state of the part from a detecting signal outputted by the detecting portion 31. The signal processing portion 81 determines presence or absence of a abnormality, or presence or absence of the abnormality and a degree of a damage of the part based on a combination of a measured result by the vibration sensor 32 and a measured result by the temperature sensor 33.

Abstract: A sensor device includes: a detected part D having a movable element 5 and a fixed element 3 contacting each other in which a contact area of the both elements changes corresponding to an external load; a contact area detection sensor 2, provided to the fixed element 3, for detecting the contact area of the detected part D; and processing means for calculating the external load from an sensor output by using the correlation between the external load and the contact area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring vibrations in a blade structure of a turbine including generating signals from a probe located adjacent to a radial outer edge of the blade structure to provide signals corresponding to vibrations at predetermined locations along the tips of the blades. A leading edge of a blade tip is detected during a blade tracking operation, and a known location along the length of the blade tips is monitored during a vibration measurement operation. The measurement operation may be performed simultaneously with the tracking operation to provide measurements as the axial location of the blades change during transitional modes of operation of the turbine.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method and device to detect internal defect in the weld overlaid portion of erosion resistant material in the border portion between the blade profile and the shroud of a turbine blade with high accuracy by a static test method for an individual turbine blade applying a resultant pressing force, corresponding to centrifugal force and untwisting force of the turbine blade 10 in operation of the turbine, to the shroud 12 with installing the blade root 18 of the turbine blade 10 to the blade root retainer 20 and applying a force in the direction of centrifugal force on the blade root 18 from outside of the blade root retainer 20 to eliminate backlash between the blade root 18 and blade root retainer 20, retaining securely the shroud 12 on the side opposite to the portion which is applied the pressing force, and implementing simulated test of centrifugal stress in the weld-overlaid portion by applying the resultant pressing force, corresponding to centrifugal force and untwisting force

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor (6) for measuring the distance between a stator and a rotor, which sensor is of the magnetic type and has a sensor body (8) to which is attached a sensor tip (10), The tip of the sensor (10) is connected to the sensor body (8) by a fixing arrangement (14) that has a locking device (16) that interacts with engaging devices (24) and a spring arrangement (34). The locking device (16) is pressed towards an attaching position (A) by the action of a spring force F1 exerted by means of the spring arrangement (34) against the engaging device (24), fixing the sensor body (8) and the tip of the sensor (10) in relation to each other. By the application of a force F2 on the sensor body (8) that is greater than the spring force F1, it is possible to move the sensor body and the tip of the sensor to a releasing position (D), releasing them in relation to each other.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that generates a simulated vibration pattern in a computer subsystem. During operation, a vibration pattern is monitored at a location in the computer subsystem, wherein the vibration pattern is monitored while the computer subsystem is incorporated into the computer system and the computer system is operating. Then, the vibrations of the computer subsystem are mimicked by generating the simulated vibration pattern at the same location in the computer subsystem based on the monitored vibration pattern.

Abstract: A method of monitoring vibrations in a blade structure of a turbine including generating signals from a sensor located adjacent to a radial outer edge of the blade structure to sense passage of targets located on the blade structure. The sensor is mounted eccentrically and the signals are obtained with the sensor located at different angular positions. In a first aspect of the invention, the signals from the sensor are used to determine a target slope angle of a target on a first turbine blade during operation of the turbine. In a second aspect of the invention, the signals from the sensor are used to position the sensor in response to a sensed variation in the axial position of the target on the first turbine blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting damage in a bearing supporting at least one rotary shaft of an engine in rotation, the method consisting in: defining a measurement period corresponding to a range of speeds of rotation of the shaft during renewable activity at low speeds of operation of the engine; acquiring over the entire measurement period a vibratory signal representative of acceleration of components of the engine; sampling the vibratory signal as a function of the speed of rotation of the shaft during the measurement period; transforming the sampled vibratory signal into a frequency signal to obtain frequency spectrum lines as a function of the speed of rotation of the shaft; calculating the mean of the amplitudes of the spectrum lines; determining amplitude peaks around multiples of the theoretical frequency of a damaged roller; calculating the ratio between each amplitude peak and the amplitude level determined for a sound bearing; and comparing the ratio that is obtained with at least o

Abstract: Technique for deterring and monitoring internal defect condition of a mud pump during the operation and/or in a laboratory conditions are illustrated. One or more acoustic transducers are attached in the proximity of one or more valves of the pump. Variation(s) in the output signal parameters are continuously monitored. Variation of the signal over the predetermined threshold level indicate a gradual degradation of the pump or if the variation of the signal occurs over a short interval it may indicate a sudden failure of the pump. Likewise, a system of detecting internal defect condition of the pump and apparatus for monitoring the pump condition is illustrated. The techniques are also applied to duplex and/or triplex high-pressure pumps used to push hydrocarbons through pipelines. Apparatus and system similar to that disclosed for the mud pump is equally applicable to the high-pressure pumps used to push hydrocarbons through pipelines.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing vibrations of a variable speed rotating body. The method includes producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating body and producing a plurality of pulses. Each pulse represents a revolution of the rotating body and is indicative of a vibration sample at a rotational position of the rotating body. The signal is converted to a numeric value that is indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating body. The plurality of pulses are converted to revolution time periods indicative of a rotational rate of the rotating body. The method also includes producing a harmonic vibrational amplitude at a harmonic of the rotational rate of the rotating body, and representing a phase of the harmonic vibrational amplitude relative to the rotational position of the rotating body.

Abstract: The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.

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.

Abstract: A method is provided for analysing blade displacements detected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced stationary timing probes associated with an assembly of rotating blades mounted on a rotor. The blade displacements correspond to the times at which the blades pass the respective probes.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing of a drive shaft that is accessible by only one of its ends in longitudinal waves, using a multi-element annular ultrasonic transducer. Such a transducer consists of independent elements that can be excited by electrical pulses of the same frequency, but for which different electronic phase shifts will be applied, in the invention, to the pulses transmitted to the elements. Such an electronic phase shift allows the focussing or deflection of a final beam synthesized by all the elements constituting the transducer, the said final beam being concentrated to adopt a generally cylindrical shape with a cross-section that is far smaller than the cross-section of the shaft to be tested and is highly energetic over a long distance due to the waveguide effect created by the cylindrical geometry of the shaft.

Abstract: An electric motor is equipped with an interface module, which is used to calculate the remaining service life of a bearing. The interface module can be integrated into the motor or can be fitted to the latter. The remaining service life of the bearing can be estimated from the signal of a rotary transducer and optionally a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining oscillations of a rotating blade disc of a turbomachine is provided. The method utilizes the steps including, arranging a substance that emits a light quanta when excited by an external excitation source to emit the light quanta, exciting the light emitting substance by the external excitation source to emit the light quanta, sensing the emitted light quanta by a light sensor, and evaluating a signal from the sensor tot determine the osciallation behavior of the blade disc. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for detecting vibrations from a component. The system operates by coupling vibrations from a component to a membrane using a flexible connecting line. The membrane converts the vibrations into acoustic waves that are transmitted through a medium. Finally, a microphone detects the acoustic waves in the medium and converts the acoustic waves into electrical signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-contact blade vibration measurement is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes sensors which are arranged around the circumference of a rotor which is formed with rotor blades, a signal detection unit, and an evaluation unit. Devices are provided to determine the rotor position and/or the housing deformation. This avoids the technical problems of the prior art, and provides an improved apparatus and an improved method for non-contact blade vibration measurement. In particular, the attainment according to the invention eliminates the effect of rotor radial movements and housing deformations, i.e., oval deformations, on the measurement data, thereby ensuring high amplitude resolution for the vibration analysis under all conditions.

Abstract: A failure detect device detects the presence of a failure in a peripheral member of a rotary shaft by analyzing a vibration generated in a device provided with the rotary shaft when the rotary shaft is rotated. A vibration detection unit detects the vibration of the device, and a rotation speed detection unit detects a rotation speed of the rotary shaft. An analysis unit calculates a frequency spectrum of the vibration of the device and determines an actually measured vibration level at each vibration order by dividing a frequency component of the calculated frequency spectrum by the rotation speed of the rotary shaft. A detection unit detects the presence of a failure in the peripheral member on the basis of the actually measured vibration level at each vibration order.

Abstract: A vibration dosimeter (2) for determining the vibrational loading of people comprises a determination device (6) for determining the operating period duration, a calculation device (6) for calculating the permitted work time as a function of a tool-specific characteristic vibration value, a comparison device (6) for comparing the effective operating period duration with the permitted work time, and an interface (3) for reading in the characteristic vibration value from the tool (1).

Abstract: Ultrasonic head for pulse-echo multichannel inspection applied to flat and curved surfaces, which is connected to a displacement system (3), and which comprises a chassis (1) housing a tilting frame (4) joined to said chassis via a first point of rotation (1a) and a second point of rotation (1b) which define a main tilting axis (1c) around which the tilting frame (4) rotates, said tilting frame (4) presenting a set of feeler-carriers (2) in its central opening (4h) which carry an array of ultrasonic feelers (12), said array of feel-carriers (2) being able to rotate around at least one axis of rotation (5, 5a, 5b) transverse to the main tilting axis (1c) in an independent movement to that made by the tilting frame (4), the tilting frame (4) being able to be divided into two secondary frames (6, 8) which rotate independently of the rotation of the tilting frame (4).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system. During operation, the system receives time-series data collected by a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans. Next, the system performs a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans. The system then identifies fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks.

Abstract: A system for on-line detection of incipient cracks in turbine blades to serve as early warning system for turbine blade failure. The system of non-intrusive detection of turbine blade condition of the invention is simple and cost effective and would enable assessing the health of the turbine blade during plant operation, which is extremely important for the safe operation of the turbine in an operating power plant. The present method and system of identifying the presence of modulated blade passing frequency (BPF,) for blade vibration that is not co-relatable to the change in the operating condition and would thus be indicative of presence of cracked blades with incipient cracking. It is capable for verifying the Campbell diagram and ascertain the margin available between the natural frequency of the blade/stage and the steam excitation frequencies/engine orders.

Abstract: A method of measuring vibration in a bladed rotor structure with a vibration monitor. The vibration monitor includes a sensor for sensing passage of the sensor targets on radially outer portions of the blade structure, and the sensor generates signals corresponding to target passing events. An excitation structure is provided including at least one air jet for providing an excitation force to the blade structure. The blade structure is rotated about an axis of rotation and the air jet is driven in a circular path about the axis of rotation at a different rotational speed to apply a non-synchronous excitation force to the blade structure.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a mechanical oscillation which has a frequency spectrum which can be approximately represented by a number of discrete frequency components, at a machine shaft via at least one actuator acting directly or indirectly upon the machine shaft. At least upon one of the discrete frequency components of the mechanical oscillation is superposed by the actuator, independently of the other frequency components, at least one substantially harmonic torque of the same frequency having a specific amplitude and phase in such a manner that the amplitude of the oscillation of the machine shaft at the this frequency is reduced.