Abstract: The speed of rotation of a rotary member such as a compressor or turbine wheel of a turbocharger is determined by directing an ultrasonic signal into a blade cavity and receiving the reflected signal, which is amplitude modulated by virtue of the passage of the blades across the ultrasonic transducer. The received signal is demodulated to determine the frequency of amplitude modulation of the received signal caused by passage of blades between the first and second locations. This enables the speed of rotation to be calculated. The performance of the turbocharger can thus be optimised in the context of the overall engine system via an engine control module.

Abstract: A method for inspecting at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine for damage, such as subsurface blade cracks, includes the steps of: attaching at least one acoustic emission sensor to a surface of a rotor blade to be inspected, exciting oscillations in the rotor blade for a time period, measuring activity signals of the oscillations in the rotor blade with the at least one acoustic emission sensor, and detaching the at least one acoustic emission sensor from the surface of the rotor blade after the inspection. An inspection system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is also contemplated.

Abstract: A method of analysing tachometer and vibration response data from an apparatus having one or more rotary components is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing vibration response data and corresponding tachometer data from the apparatus for a period over which a rotary component of the apparatus varies in rotational speed, the tachometer data being for that component; repeatedly performing at intervals throughout the period the sub-steps of: determining a forcing frequency of the component from the tachometer data and a corresponding vibration response frequency of the apparatus from the vibration response data, comparing the forcing and vibration response frequencies to determine the relative phase difference between the frequencies, and determining the corresponding amplitude of the vibration response from the vibration response data; and plotting the relative phase differences and vibration amplitudes on a polar diagram.

Abstract: Provided are an envelope processor 103, for obtaining an envelope for a detected signal; a FFT unit 104, for converting the envelope into a frequency spectrum; a peak detector 105, for smoothing the frequency spectrum by calculating a moving average, for further performing smoothing and differentiation for the spectrum, and detecting, as peaks, frequency points at which a sign of a differential coefficient is changed from positive to negative, for extracting peaks having a predetermined threshold value or greater, and for sorting the extracted peaks and detecting upper peaks; and a diagnosis processor T, for diagnosing an abnormality based on the detected peaks.

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: A turbocharger monitor including a sensor adapted and positioned with respect to a turbocharger housing to sense passing compressor blades, generating both rotor rotation information and rotor displacement information. A controller is configured to receive the generated information from the blade sensor, and to establish rotor rotation speed and an indicator of bearing condition.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems and methods involving vibration monitoring are provided. In this regard, a representative vibration monitoring method for a gas turbine engine includes: receiving information corresponding to detected vibrations of a gas turbine engine; isolating vibrations attributable to rotating blades of the gas turbine engine from the detected vibrations; and comparing the isolated vibrations to information corresponding to predicted vibrations of the rotating blades.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration sensing apparatus and a washing machine having the same. The vibration sensing apparatus includes a variable resistor having variable resistance values according to each displacement, a displacement transmission unit interposed between the variable resistor and a vibrating body for transmitting each displacement of the vibrating body to the variable resistor, and a vibration detector for detecting each vibration of the vibrating body based upon the changes in the resistance values of the variable resistor. The vibration generated while operating the washing machine can be sensed in real time to prevent collision and noise from being generated due to excessive vibration.

Abstract: An automated scanning system and method, utilizing specialized dual phased array ultrasonic transducers for producing and detecting Rayleigh waves in ceramic bearing balls are provided for nondestructive, non-contact inspection of ceramic bearing balls. The phased array ultrasonic transducer utilizes a complex curvature configuration that enables the dual phased array ultrasonic transducers to focus ultrasonic energy onto the ball to optimally generate and receive Rayleigh wave signals in the spherical objects.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a device having a mechanical bearing formed by two coaxial rings, one fixed relative to the machine and the other rotating, between which at least one rolling element is moveably positioned, at least one non-conducting positioning means secured to the fixed bearing ring, the positioning means including at least one placement holder for at least one conducting element forming a first plate of a capacitor, at a distance from a conducting part of the rotating ring forming the second plate of the capacitor, and with the positioning means attached to at least one partitioning means, the partitioning means being used to create a space between the two plates, thus forming a dielectric insulating medium, and to act as a sealed enclosure for this insulating medium (7) by being in contact with a part of the surface of the rotating ring.

Abstract: A health monitoring apparatus for a mechanical system includes: a microphone arranged to receive sound from the system; and a processor adapted to process the output of the microphone. The mechanical system may be a gas turbine engine. Further, the engine may have a plurality of bleed valves, each of the bleed valves being configured such that, when open, it produces a sound which is distinguishable from the sounds produced by the other bleed valves, and the microphone being arranged to detect the sound from the bleed valves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the dynamic behavior, in particular of the oscillating behavior of a rotating shaft, the oscillation being detected by at least two sensors at defined different spatial position, the oscillating behavior in at least one preferred direction being determined from the oscillation. The invention also relates to a device for monitoring oscillating behavior in a rotary machine with rotatable parts, having at least two sensors, a shaft and a computing unit, characterized in that the at least two sensors are positioned in a defined spatial position outside the shaft, detect measurement variables which characterize the oscillations and are connected to a computing unit for the transfer of data. The invention also relates to a gas turbine and a steam turbine that use a method and a device as per the invention.

Abstract: A method for calculating material properties of a material includes determining a dilatational wavespeed and a shear wave speed. The dilatational wavespeed is determined by conducting vertical vibration tests of two specimens of the material, one specimen being twice as thick as the other. Transfer functions are obtained from these tests and used to calculate the dilatational wavespeed. The shear wavespeed is determined by conducting horizontal vibration tests of two specimens with one specimen being twice as thick as the other. The shear wavespeed can be calculated from transfer functions obtained from these tests and the dilatational wavespeed. Other material properties can be calculated from the dilatational and shear wavespeeds. Frequency dependence of the properties can be determined by conducting the tests at different frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a family of vibroacoustic emulators to simulate the vibroacoustic characteristics of components of an electronic device. Specific embodiments for simulating a hard disk drive comprise a housing and a vibroacoustic generator coupled to the housing. Various embodiments enable acoustic emulation through a cover side and base side, out-of-plane vibrational emulation to simulate hard disk drive during seek periods, and in-plane vibrational emulation to simulate a hard-disk drive during idle periods. Methods for using the vibroacoustic emulators to characterize system noise are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor failure diagnosis device including a control section that generates vibrations by moving a movable component inside a device is provided. The device includes a determining section that determines whether a value related to a vibration amount output from the sensor, which detects the vibrations generated in the device by the control section, falls within a predetermined range and an output section that outputs a result determined by the determining section.

Abstract: A system that detects vibrations from a mechanical component, such as a disk drive. The system includes an excitation rod, a membrane, and a microphone. During operation, the mechanical component is coupled to the excitation rod which is coupled to the membrane, so that vibrations from the mechanical component are mechanically coupled through the excitation rod to the membrane. The membrane then converts the mechanical vibrations into acoustic waves that are transmitted through a medium. The microphone detects the acoustic waves in the medium and converts the acoustic waves into signals.

Abstract: A method to adjust a modal property of a material removal tool without changing a projection length of the material removal tool is disclosed. Adjusting substantially aligns a characteristic frequency of the material removal tool with a rotation speed of a spindle of a machine tool. A material removal tool employing the method and a method to machine metal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Degradation of the lubricant due to contamination of the lubricant with wear particles or moisture, which greatly affects the service life of rolling bearings, can be detected in a cost-effective manner through the use of a resonance frequency band signal or high-frequency signal of an accelerometer, and the service life of a rolling bearing can be estimated with high precision at an early stage on the basis of the detected state of the wear particles and lubricant.

Abstract: A system may be used to indicate a need for replacement of a vibrating structure and includes a sensor, an indicator, and a processor. The sensor senses a frequency of vibration of the vibrating structure. The indicator is controlled to provide an indication of the need for replacement of the vibrating structure. The processor compares the frequency of vibration of the vibrating structure to data that relates the vibration frequency of the vibrating structure to fatigue damage of the vibrating structure, and controls the indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: Single-crystal components of gas turbine engines, like turbine blades, are inspected in the installed state within the engine for cracking in certain critical areas using longitudinal ultrasonic waves. A first, rough orientation of the ultrasonic waves onto the critical area is accomplished under camera-visual control using an ultrasonic probe whose shape conforms to the respective component area and which, therefore, can be form-fitted to the component. For fine-positioning of the ultrasonic waves in the critical area, a reference signal is generated at a component-specific geometrical contour adjacent to the critical area by second ultrasonic waves emitted at a local distance to the first ultrasonic waves. The presence of this signal ensures the safe, disturbance-free detection of cracks in the critical blade area by means of longitudinal sonic waves. The invention includes an apparatus for the performance of the method.

Abstract: A tip shrouded turbine blade that may include a target pad disposed on an outer radial surface of the tip shroud, the target pad including a raised surface that protrudes radially outward from the outer face of the tip shroud. The target pad may be substantially cylindrical in shape such that an outer radial face of the target pad is substantially circular in shape. The size of the surface area of the outer radial face of the target pad may be configured to be substantially the same size as an area of measurement for a conventional proximity sensor.

Abstract: A method and device detect a position of a pulsed mechanical effect on a plant component. An operating noise in the plant component is continuously recorded by sensors which are arranged on the plant component and converted by the above into a measured signal. The measured signals of the sensors undergo a transformation in a first time window. A first evaluation function is derived from a plurality of first transformations determined in this manner, the evaluation functions display an appearance of the pulsed mechanical effect. Accordingly, when detecting an effect following the second shorter time window having the same algorithms, second transformed and respectively, second evaluation functions are derived, from which, respectively, one time point is determined. Wherein the sound signal produced by the effect impacts upon the sensor. From there, running time differences produced between the sensors can be exactly reconstructed on the position of the effect.

Abstract: A forestry machine includes a frame, and a felling saw carried by the frame. The felling saw includes a saw head. A tree counter associated with the saw head includes an audio sensor providing an output signal representing an audio parameter associated with a cutting action of the saw head. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with and receives the output signal from the audio sensor. The electrical processing circuit determines a tree count associated with the saw head, dependent upon the output signal from the audio sensor.

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 system and method for providing blade vibration analysis of a turbine is provided. Generally, the system contains a non-contacting sensor capable of determining a distance or velocity of a blade, of the series of blades, in relationship to the sensor. The system also contains a tachometer capable of determining a speed of a shaft of the turbine, and a computer comprising a memory and a processor.

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: A method of matching sensors in a multi-probe blade vibration monitor for a turbine. The method includes providing at least two probes mounted in a casing of the turbine adjacent to a rotating blade structure of the turbine. Targets are provided on radially outer portions of the blade structure. Each of the probes includes a sensor generating signals corresponding to target passing events, and a set of synchronous harmonics of the rotational speed of the rotor are produced for each sensor. The position of the sensors is adjusted such that the sets of harmonics of the sensors are substantially matched, indicating that the positions of the sensors are matched.

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: The invention relates to a method for applying a magnetic mark to a rotatable article (1) to be positioned, to a corresponding device and to a system (2) consisting of a device for applying a magnetic mark and a device (25) for determining the angle of rotation. In the region that comprises magnetizable material of the rotatable article to be positioned and is selected for determining the angle of rotation, a magnetic dipole is generated as a magnetic mark by a magnetic field, by means of the device for applying a magnetic mark. Said mark is used for determining the angle of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus of producing bearing device having a bearing, a shaft attached to an inner ring and an outer ring attaching member attached to an outer ring. The apparatus includes a vibrating unit of giving a radial input vibration to each inner ring or both ends of the shaft, and an input vibration detecting unit of detecting vibration of each inner ring or both ends of the shaft, an adding unit of calculating the output of the input vibration detecting unit, a vibration detecting unit of detecting the vibration of a mass attached to the outer ring attaching member, a transfer function calculating unit of determining the transfer function from the output of the vibration detecting unit and the adding unit to calculate the resonance frequency and a rigidity calculating unit of determining the rigidity of the bearing device on the basis of the resonance frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting a generator rotor is provided. The system includes a phased-array ultrasound transducer that includes an active face including a plurality of transducer elements formed in an array, the elements are configured to be excited in a predetermined sequence to generate a transmission beam of ultrasound energy at a plurality of angles with respect to the active face. The elements are configured to receive ultrasound echoes through the active face. The system also includes a transducer wedge including a coupling face configured to couple to the transducer and a transmission face configured to couple to the rotor. The wedge is configured to refract the ultrasound transmission beam at a predetermined angle at the transmission face such that the beam enters the component at an angle substantially normal to a load surface of the rotor.

Abstract: A method to introduce a deliberate mismatch into a turbomachine bladed wheel so as to reduce vibration amplitudes of the wheel in forced response. The method includes a step of determining an optimum value of the standard deviation for the mismatch as a function of operating conditions of the wheel inside the turbomachine, with respect to the maximum vibration amplitude response required on the wheel. The method further includes a step of at least partly placing blades with different natural frequencies on the wheel such that the standard deviation of the frequency distribution of all blades is equal to at least the mismatch value, the mismatch value being determined statistically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration signal processing method and system that can be used to account for situations where impact or impulse events are hidden in a normal vibration reading by low frequency vibrations and high frequency noise. In one preferred form, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of obtaining electrical vibration signals that represent mechanical vibrations of a machine (102-106), converting the electrical vibration signals into digital vibration samples (108), dividing the digital vibration samples into equal time intervals and determining the average absolute amplitude of the digital vibration samples for each time interval (110), generating a time waveform comprising the determined average amplitudes (112, 114), and processing the time waveform as if it were an independently-detected signal (116-120).

Abstract: A diagnostic vibration analyzing system and method for measuring and characterizing both linear and torsional vibrations in a vehicle or a piece of industrial equipment (collectively a “vehicle”). An electronic control unit and a plurality of sensors cooperate to measure accelerations sensed by a vehicle operator. These measured accelerations, when combined with sensed rotational velocities, can be used to pinpoint likely sources of driveline vibrations. Once the sources of driveline vibrations are identified, they are graphically displayed to a user for remedial action.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring vibration of a fan includes a frame having an opening for enclosing a fan; a plurality of accelerometers disposed on the frame; and an elastic support for supporting the frame. An apparatus for measuring fan vibration includes a frame having an opening for enclosing a fan; a plurality of accelerometers disposed on the frame. The plurality of accelerometers output a signal to the signal-analyzing device and at least three of the plurality of accelerometers are disposed on a different surface of the frame from each other. The apparatus for measuring fan vibration includes a mounting block that allows the fan to be secured in the opening of the frame and an elastic support for supporting the frame. A method of measuring fan vibration includes disposing a plurality of accelerometers on a frame; mounting a fan within the frame; turning on the fan; and outputting a signal from each of the plurality of accelerometers to a signal-analyzing device.

Abstract: An automated scanning system and method, utilizing specialized dual phased array ultrasonic transducers for producing and detecting Rayleigh waves in ceramic bearing balls are provided for nondestructive, non-contact inspection of ceramic bearing balls. The phased array ultrasonic transducer utilizes a complex curvature configuration that enables the dual phased array ultrasonic transducers to focus ultrasonic energy onto the ball to optimally generate and receive Rayleigh wave signals in the spherical objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing vibration of a machine tool, in which a driven shaft 17 is rotated, in which a speed range is subsequently passed through, wherein the vibrations occurring in said speed range are sensed and wherein an optimum speed having a minimized vibration is determined and adjusted.

Abstract: A method for acquiring vibration data from a plurality of rotating machines of a single type by using a portable vibration measuring device having means for measuring machine vibrations, means for data input, means for presenting information to a user, and a memory, is provided, which comprises: (a) uploading a measurement prescription template into the memory, the template being specific to the type of machine but unspecific to individual machines of the plurality of machines; (b) selecting an individual machine from the plurality of machines; (c) connecting the vibration measuring means to a measuring point at the individual machine; (d) acquiring vibration data by measurement from the measuring point; and (e) attributing the vibration data to the individual machine and storing the attributed vibration data in the memory; wherein the template is adapted to provide instructions regarding steps (b) to (e) to the vibration measuring device and, via the information presenting means, to the user, which instructi

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating NVH characteristics of a mechanical system including a torque-transmitting assembly having drive and driven members drivingly engaging each other. The torque-transmitting assembly is characterized by transmission error between the drive and driven members. The method comprises the steps of measuring a parameter representing NVH characteristics of the mechanical system during operation thereof upon a predetermined test cycle so as to obtain at least one NVH characteristic corresponding to at least two discrete values of the transmission error. The apparatus comprises a supporting member mounted to a casing for rotatably supporting the drive member and being axially movable relative to the casing so as to selectively adjust the transmission error, and an actuator assembly operatively associated with the supporting member for selectively adjusting position of the supporting member relative to the casing in order to selectively control the transmission error.

Abstract: A chatter boundary system includes a measuring module, a comparison module, and a boundary module. The measuring module measures and collects samples of undulations in a manufactured part. The comparison module classifies a sound signal generated by the undulations as either noisy or quiet. The boundary module determines a continuous boundary between the noisy and quiet undulations based on the samples and the sound signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the inspection of rotary machine components is provided. A positioning fixture is clamped to the component to be inspected, and supports a transceiver that is used during the inspection. The positioning fixture can be navigated through and between rotary machine components to the desired location to be inspected. In one example, an ultrasonic transceiver can be used to perform the inspection. The apparatus can be used to perform in-situ inspections.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for detecting vibrations in a machine tool having a rotor portion (2) which is provided with tool members (5) and defines an axis of rotation (2a), the apparatus comprising a sensor assembly (3) which is able to rotate together with the rotor portion (2) and is designed to issue signals correlated to the vibrations, and a supporting and amplification device (6) for supporting the sensor assembly (3) and for amplifying the vibrations, which is set between the sensor assembly (3) and the rotor portion (2) and has a rotational asymmetry about the axis of rotation (2a) for any angle smaller than a full circle.

Abstract: A method of analyzing variations in an indicator of the behavior of a mechanism, in which noise is extracted, and any discontinuities from an indicator in order to obtain a trend, variations in the trend are compared with one or more reference values; and a fault of the mechanism is indicated as a function of the result of the comparison. Any outlier data in the indicated data are search for and subtracted, and any edge data are extracted from the data obtained from the search operation.

Abstract: A method which permits the transformation of non-stationary response measurements into stationary data for analysis is provided. Many standard analysis techniques, particularly for oscillatory responses, are based on stationary data, and the method allows these techniques to be performed on originally non-stationary data. The method may be a method of processing oscillatory response data from a resonant system including: obtaining data measuring an oscillatory response of the system; estimating the variation in natural frequency of a mode of said response; filtering the data around a selected frequency to obtain a filtered response; determining a carrier signal whose frequency variation with respect to time is equal in magnitude to said estimated variation in natural frequency; and modulating the amplitude of said carrier signal using said filtered response to obtain a modulated carrier signal. A corresponding system for processing oscillatory response data is also provided.

Abstract: A device, and method, detects the presence of developing faults in rolling element bearings. Detection is accomplished by measuring the vibration of the apparatus in which the bearing is operating (motor, generator, engine, etc.) and searching for signatures unique to bearing faults. These signatures are predicted by a fault signature model and recognized by a detector, both of which are part of this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the torque imposed on a rotatable shaft. The shaft has at least four paired probes, paired horizontal probes and paired vertical probes. The horizontal probes are positioned 90 degrees apart from the vertical probes. If the shaft moves horizontally, the time of arrival detected by the first horizontal probes will be later than a nominal value and the time of arrival for the second horizontal probes will be earlier than a nominal value with the same amount of error. Combining data from the first and second horizontal probes will then automatically cancel out any error from horizontal motion. Similarly, combining data from vertical probes will eliminate the error due to vertical movement. Because any radial movement is a combination of horizontal and vertical movements, the use of the probes removes errors due to movement in any direction.

Abstract: A sensing system for monitoring a property of an electrically conductive moving element of turbomachinery. The sensing system includes a sensing system housing. A magnetic core is contained within the sensing system housing. A coil is positioned about at least a portion of the core. The coil is electrically connectable to a property data analysis device. A first magnet and a second magnet are positioned about the coil and positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored. A primary magnetic field is generated by the first and second magnets. When the moving element enters the primary magnetic field a current is induced in the moving element, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in the coil. The voltage signal is amplified by the magnetic core and provides an indication of a property of the moving element.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method of measuring the vibration of an aircraft engine. One embodiment herein provides an engine monitoring system either connected to and/or positioned in close proximity to an aircraft engine. Also provided is a clearance measuring device within the engine monitoring system. The clearanceometer collects clearance data that is later converted into vibration data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosimeter for vibration measurements for a driver of a vehicle. The dosimeter is adapted to be attached to at a superficial skeleton part of the body of a driver, for the best possible vibration measurements. The dosimeter measures and stores the body vibrations, measured on the body, during the working day of the driver. A driver can immediately observe if a limit value or an input value is exceeded.

Abstract: A vibration measurement system for a gas turbine engine. The vibration measurement system includes a first accelerometer coupled to the gas turbine engine, the first accelerometer configured to transmit a first identifier, a second accelerometer coupled to the gas turbine engine, the second accelerometer configured to transmit a second identifier that is different than the first identifier, and a signal conditioning computer coupled to the first and second accelerometers for receiving the first and second identifiers, the signal conditioning computer configured to determine which of the first and second accelerometers is connected to the signal conditioning computer based on the first and second identifiers.