Abstract: A portable vibration monitoring device which includes an accelerometer mounted on a machine to measure the vibration of the machine, and a display to display the results. The results are displayed, for example, on four bargraphs to indicate good/marginal/unacceptable vibration levels. Additionally, the bargraphs provide an indication of the type of problem resulting in high vibration levels. Examples of such problem types include, but are not limited to, machine imbalance, misalignment, and general fault conditions.

Abstract: A device detects an emission source of a vibration signal against a background of noise, where the vibration signal is produced by a mechanical system and has one or more frequency components. A sensor senses the vibration signal and produces a sensor signal corresponding to the vibration signal. The sensor has a mechanical frequency selection structure for mechanically resonating at desired frequencies and for mechanically attenuating a frequency component of the vibration signal having a frequency outside the desired frequencies. The mechanical frequency selection structure thus produces a mechanically-tuned sensor signal. Electrical frequency selection filters electrically attenuate a frequency component of the mechanically-tuned sensor signal having a frequency outside the desired frequencies. The electrical frequency selection filters thus produce an electrically-tuned sensor signal.

Abstract: In a bearing rigidity evaluation apparatus, a vibration portion 1 excites a bearing 4 to vibrate. Vibrations of the bearing 4 thus excited are detected by vibration detecting sensors 21a, 21b and 21c. Output signals of the vibration detecting sensors 21b and 21c for an outer race 42 are added up in time sequence by an adder 23 and then supplied to a transfer function computing unit 3a. An output signal of the vibration detecting sensor 21a is supplied to the transfer function computing unit 3a. The transfer function computing unit 3a calculates a transfer function H between inner and outer races (between a hub shaft 41 and the outer race 42) by FFT. On the basis of this transfer function H, there is obtained a vibration mode in which a resonance frequency (natural frequency) fa appears in a position of −&pgr;/2 phase difference from local-mode vibration components (in-phase components) contained in the aforementioned input signals after erasing of the local-mode vibration components.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating electric motor system capable of vibrating and a method for operating a rotary electric motor capable of vibrating. The system comprises an electric motor having a rotor and the stator, the rotor and the stator forming a unit vibrating within an audio frequency range; a power amplifier powering the electric motor, the power amplifier having a passband including at least the audio frequency range; and a signal generator generating the signal controlling the power amplifier. The signal generator comprises at least the audio frequency range. The control signal has a continuous component for rotating the rotor with respect to the stator, and an alternating component for inducing mechanical vibration in the unit capable of vibrating.

Abstract: A drive line vibration sensor includes an emitter, a receiver, and a controller. The emitter and receiver are mounted in a differential manner such that drive line vibrations cause the emitter to vibrate at a different frequency than the receiver. In operation the emitter transmits a signal to the receiver such that the differential movement of the transmitter relative to the receiver produces a variation in the signal received by the receiver which is identifiable by the controller. In another embodiment, the emitter pulses the signal such that the frequency of the vibration can be determined. A recording device is preferably in communication with the controller to record the variation in the signal to provide an inexpensive diagnostic and maintenance system which can record the overall operation of a drive line under actual operational conditions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic monitoring apparatus is provided for use by an operator in detecting ultrasonic vibrations and sound waves. The ultrasonic monitoring apparatus consists of a hand held device with a sensor socket that allows a variety of different types of sensors to be interchangeably installed in the hand held device. These sensors include both contact and airborne ultrasonic sensors as well as a combination temperature and ultrasonic sensor that allows the operator to simultaneously monitor the surface temperature of an object and the ultrasonic vibrations produced by the object. Identification information corresponding to the type of sensor is encoded on the individual sensors. The identification information is read by an identification circuit located in the hand held device. This identification information allows the hand held device to configure itself to operate with the type of sensor installed in the socket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determines ultrasonic measurement parameters of ultrasonic measurements to be performed on a mechanical system, where the ultrasonic measurements are performed using a portable ultrasonic measurement device. The ultrasonic measurement parameters consist of information used in configuring the portable ultrasonic measurement device to make the ultrasonic measurements. The measurement parameters are used to configure an ultrasonic measurement device that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure ultrasonic characteristics of the mechanical system, where the ultrasonic characteristics are indicative of an operating condition of the mechanical system. The apparatus includes a processor for generating user instruction messages that query a user concerning specific characteristics of the mechanical system on which the ultrasonic measurements are to be performed. The user instruction messages also provide response options from which the user chooses in responding to the instruction messages.

Abstract: A portable electronic vibration measurement device, detects a large number of structure-borne sound signals using a predetermined sequence of a plurality of specific individual measurements each plurality of measurements taken at a different sampling frequency.

Abstract: A route based ultrasonic monitoring method for use by an operator in detecting when the ultrasonic sound produced by a device indicates the presence of a leak or machinery defect. The route based ultrasonic monitoring method uses a central processing location to store testing information concerning which machines to test and how to configure a portable ultrasonic sensing device to test them. At the appropriate time, the testing information is loaded from the central processing location into the portable processing and storage unit. The operator is then prompted by the portable processing and storage unit to proceed to a test location. Once at the test location, the portable processing and storage unit provides the testing information to the portable ultrasonic sensing device. The test is then performed by the operator with the portable ultrasonic sensing device and the test results are downloaded from the portable sensing device to the portable processing and storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for determining the state of a vibrating structure of a rotary wing aircraft, while the latter is operating. The device includes sensors arranged on the vibrating structure and capable of measuring the values of vibrational parameters, and a calculation unit receiving the values measured by the sensors and calculating, from these and from estimated values of the vibrational parameters, a correlation coefficient, comparing the latter with a predefined range of values and deducing from this comparison the state of the vibrating structure.

Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.

Abstract: The invention is about the process of determining the vibration of rotor (1) of a rotary machine, by elimination of interference noise signals B, in which is acquired and digitized a signal S emitted by at least one sensor C of the displacement of the rotor (1) of the rotary machine when said rotor is rotating under its normal operating conditions, then is subtracted from it a reference signal B of the same type that has been determined in advance. This process is characterized in that the reference signal B has been acquired at a speed .OMEGA..sub.b of rotor (1) rotation lower than the operating speed .OMEGA. and such that the signals emitted by at least two sensors (C1, C2) of the displacement of the rotor (1), offset at an angle in the same plane perpendicularly to the symmetry axis (A) of said rotor, are nearly identical, ignoring time offset. The invention also concerns the devices designed to implement such a process.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is an electronic comparator that monitors and exhibits on one or more video displays current information measured and monitored as to physical attributes relating to a revolvably rotating linearly-extending stirring shaft of which a distal end carries stirring blades positioned within media supported within a vessel stably mounted relative to a stably mounted drive mechanism and the stirring shaft, and a visual display video that during stirring displays visually the measured and monitored current degree of wobble of the stirring shaft, magnitude of vibrations of the stirring shaft, current degree of verticality of the stirring shaft, current temperature of media being stirred by the stirring shaft, current rate of revolutions per unit of time of the stirring shaft, a printing mechanism that prints current measured and monitored physical attributes onto a substrate, a computer interface structure and mechanism thereof adapted to convey measured and monitored physical attribute

Abstract: Disturbances of a periodic nature, such as those occurring in a rotating device can be attenuated by a cancellation function. A cancellation signal is produced by extracting one or more frequency components (harmonics) from a disturbance. A set of weighting coefficients are generated by an artificial neural network based on information derived from the selected frequency components of the periodic disturbance signal. The artificial neural network algorithm adapts in real time to shifts in the magnitude and phase of the disturbance frequencies selected for attenuation at the sensor location. In turn, these coefficients are applied to a function of a similar number of components and applied to the rotating device. Over a period of time, feedback and adaptation will attenuate the disturbance at the selected frequencies.

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having front end (22) and back end (24). The encapsulation (20) is a monolith of cured moldable material ensconcing a sensing element or coil (90) proximate front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples sensing element (90) with information transmitting medium (120). A protective sleeve (150) is transfer molded over coil (90) and interlocked with preform (40) thereby forming a sleeved coil and cable assembly (170). This sleeved coil and cable assembly (170) is encapsulated by an injection molding process which provides the durable encapsulation (20).

Abstract: A diagnostic driveline vibration analyzing tool for measuring and characterizing the torsional vibrations in a vehicle driveline. An electronic control unit and sensor cooperate to measure speed fluctuations occurring between the passing of adjacent teeth of a rotating gear. These time measurements are the basis for displacement, velocity and acceleration calculations which, combined with driveshaft rotational order information, can be used to pinpoint the source of excessive driveline torsional vibrations.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting ultrasonic energy generated by a mechanical device and for applying lubricant to the device is presented. The apparatus includes a lubrication tool, such as a grease gun, which has a lubrication delivery element for delivering lubrication to the mechanical device. An ultrasonic transducer is contained in a housing which is removably attached to the outside of the lubrication delivery element such that the transducer makes acoustical contact with the lubrication tool. An electrical circuit, which may be attached to the lubrication device, produces an output signal which indicates the magnitude of detected ultrasonic energy. A method using such an ultrasonic energy detector in conjunction with a lubrication tool to detect the condition of a sealed mechanical rotating device and to determine when sufficient lubricant has been applied is also presented.

Abstract: A system for detecting defects in a rotating machine system includes a sensor such as an accelerometer coupled to the machine system for detecting vibrations of a rotating element. Output of the accelerometer is transmitted, preferably via a network data link to a monitoring/control circuit. The monitoring/control circuit analyzes the vibration data to develop a normal vibration profile for the machine system during a normal operating phase. The normal vibration profile is stored in a memory circuit for later reference. During subsequent operation of the machine system, the monitoring/control circuit cyclically analyzes vibration data to develop actual vibration profiles. The actual vibration profiles are compared to the normal vibration profile and, where variations between the profiles exceed preset tolerances, the circuit provides an indication of a malfunction or defect in the machine system.

Abstract: In a concrete finishing machine having a plurality of vibrators to be at least partially submerged in concrete or other semi-fluid viscous material for vibration thereof, a monitor is provided for displaying and/or recording operational parameters of the plurality of vibrators. The monitor includes a display, responsive to signals generated by sensors operatively associated with the plurality of vibrators, for providing a visual indication of operating parameters for the plurality of vibrators, and a recording device receiving the signals generated by sensors operatively associated with the plurality of vibrators and recording the operating parameters for the plurality of vibrators.

Abstract: Non-synchronous vibrations in blades on a rotating wheel, such as a turbine wheel, are measured using Fourier analysis adjusted to correct for uneven sampling produced by a pair of probes spaced from each other about the wheel by a probe angle (PA) other than 180.degree.. The Fourier transform matrix is phase shifted by an amount which is a function of the PA which is other than 180.degree., and the harmonic in which the mode of non-synchronous vibration is expected to be found. A scaling factor in the form of an inverse correction factor is applied to the frequency spectra produced by the phase shifted Fourier transform matrix to generate an output representative of the frequency and amplitude of the true excitation frequency which can be presented on a display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for machine data collection includes a hand-held personal computer (HPC) having route-based machine information data stored therein, and at least one hand-held sensor unit which includes a sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the machine. The sensor unit includes a microcomputer for controlling the overall operation of the sensor unit, and a wireless communications port for wirelessly communicating with the HPC and/or other peripheral device. Wireless communications between the HPC and the sensor unit include uploading route-based machine information and instructions from the HPC to the sensor unit, and downloading collected sensor data from the sensor unit to the HPC. Data may also be manually input to the HPC, including reading from control panels and process gauges. All LCD visually displays information and instructions to the operator, and a set of headphones aurally informs and instructs the operator with regard to data collection.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring the condition of a mechanical seal in an apparatus provided with a rotating part, in particular in a pump which has a rotating shaft for the forwarding of a fluid, the sound emission of the seal is continually measured at discrete times in the operating state of the apparatus and at least one statistical characteristic value is won from the acoustic signals. The analog acoustic signals are converted prior to the determination of the statistical characteristic value into analog demodulated signals, the maximum frequency of which is less than about 50 kHz.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a vibration sensor mounted on a machine which has vibration-generating components having different vibration characteristics with respect to a common sensor. The vibration sensor measures vibrations and sends vibration signals to a diagnostic module for evaluation of the signals. The diagnostic module has software for processing the vibration signals. From a known natural frequency of a vibration-generating component, the diagnostic module measures the amplitude of the vibration signal at more than one harmonic frequency of the known natural frequency and compares the amplitudes to amplitudes at adjacent harmonic frequencies.

Abstract: A method of detecting leakage through a gaseous fuel admission valve of a dual fuel engine including at least one such gaseous fuel admission valve and a gaseous fuel shut off valve includes determining a liquid fuel rate when the engine is operating in a liquid fuel mode and the gaseous fuel shut off valve is closed. The gaseous fuel shut off valve is thereafter opened while the engine is operating in the liquid fuel mode. A liquid fuel rate is determined after the gaseous fuel shut off valve is opened and the liquid fuel rate determined before opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve is compared with the liquid fuel rate determined after opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve. A detonation level within the engine cylinder may also be checked to determine if such detonation level exceeds a predetermined level indicative of gaseous fuel leakage. The detonation level check may also be utilized in a spark-ignited engine.

Abstract: In a method for determining the state of strength of winding overhangs (2) of electric machines, at least one sensor (3), which is arranged on a winding end (4) of a winding overhang (2) and is connected to an evaluation unit (5) is used to determine a vibration amplitude (A) of the winding end (4), and the associated phase (.phi.). The phase (.phi.) of the vibration amplitude (A) is determined in this case with reference to a phase of an electric current flowing through the winding end (4). The quotient (.DELTA.A) of the vibration amplitude (A) and an amplitude reference (A.sub.ref) dependent on the electric current, and the quotient (.DELTA..phi.) of the phase (.phi.) of the vibration amplitude (A) and a phase reference (.phi..sub.ref) dependent on the temperature of the winding overhang (2) permit the state of strength of winding overhangs to be determined and causes to be located in the event of a change in the vibration amplitude.

Abstract: A turbine configuration includes a turbine shaft having a surface, and/or turbine blades fastened to the turbine shaft and having surfaces, and a turbine casing surrounding the turbine blades. When the turbine is in operation, a radial gap occurring between the turbine casing and the turbine shaft or between the turbine casing and a turbine blade is monitored. A device for recording a change in position at the turbine configuration includes a glass fiber probe led through the turbine casing, a measurement reference point applied to the surface of at least one turbine blade and/or to the surface of the turbine shaft and formed of nonoxidizing material, for reflecting light from the glass fiber probe, a device for recording differences in intensity in the reflected light, and a device for comparing a difference in intensity with a reference value determined at a previous time.

Abstract: A display and user interface incorporated into an on-board engine vibration monitoring and trim balance system. The interface consists of an alphanumeric display and a number of push buttons integrally formed with a front panel of the system. The user operates the interface to obtain and alter information pertaining to engine vibration data, engine trim balance solutions, and balance part configurations. Push buttons are used to scroll through an elaborate menu structure for receiving information and making selections among various available functions. The menu structure may in particular provide for the user to review particular installed balance part location data prior to asking the system to compute an optimum balance solution. Once the balance solution is calculated, the user may review a list of balance parts to be removed from and installed on the engine.

Abstract: A high resolution, low noise glide height test slider is provided to detect irregularities on a surface of a rotatable disc. A slider body is arranged to be supported by a support structure in predetermined spaced relation to the surface of the disc as it is rotating. A piezoelectric element on the slider body senses vibration forces acting on the slider body. The slider is electrically isolated from external noise sources.

Abstract: A portable vibration monitoring probe is provided which comprises a housing, a probe and a transducer is provided. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the transducer output. The vibration monitor comprises an interface configured to transmit digital data comprising vibration parameters derived from the digitized analog signal to processing circuitry external to the housing. In some embodiments of the present invention, vibration monitors may be configured to store information in a memory located near the measuring point.

Abstract: In a vibrator intending to be at least partially submerged in concrete or semi-fluid or viscous material for vibration thereof, the vibrator having a housing open at one end and enclosing a rotating eccentric weight assembly, and a motor attached to the housing open end driving the rotating eccentric weight, a vibration speed sensor includes a magnetic pick-up disposed in a port in an end wall of the motor and adjacent an end of a gear/gear shaft of magnetic material in said motor, wherein the gear/gear shaft has a discontinuity adjacent the magnetic pick-up, whereby rotation of the gear/gear shaft is sensed by the magnetic pick-up. The motor includes hydraulic inlet and outlet ports in the motor end wall with the magnetic pickup port disposed adjacent thereto. An output cable is connected to the magnetic pick-up and extends in parallel with hydraulic hoses attached to the hydraulic inlet and outlet ports.

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 measuring point identification, prior measurement data, machine or bearing part numbers, and alarm limits.

Abstract: A portable data collector and analyzer having multiple paths for performing multiple processing functions on a single sensor signal in parallel. The portable data collector has a sensor which creates a sensor signal that represents a measured property of an operating machine. The sensor signal is simultaneously sent to at least two processor channels that are connected in parallel. Each processor is capable of performing different types of signal analysis with varying signal conditioning and sampling rate requirements on the sensor signal independent of the other processor(s). An operator of the parallel processing data collector and analyzer places the single sensor on the area desired to be tested and instructs the parallel processing data collector to begin taking measurements. The parallel processor channels work independently of each other to obtain results corresponding to a number of different tests in approximately the time normally required to perform a single test.

Abstract: A diagnostic driveline vibration analyzing tool for measuring and characterizing the torsional vibration of a rotating component such as a transmission output shaft in a vehicle driveline. An electronic control unit and sensor cooperate to measure speed fluctuations occurring between the passing of adjacent teeth of a rotating gear. These time measurements are then filtered using an order tracked pass band filter to isolate frequencies of interest the results of which are then used to calculate a total torsional energy level by taking the root mean square of the filtered signal over a predetermined period of time. The total torsional energy level is then compared to a predetermined maximum amplitude and if the total torsional level exceeds this predetermined maximum amplitude then the operator is notified through a display device.

Abstract: An eddy current sensor comprises a generally E-shaped core having three parallel legs joined together by a bridge. Current carrying coils are mounted on each of the outer legs and a signal coil is mounted on the central leg. Identical a.c. currents are caused to flow through the two outer coils for generating two magnetic fields which combine to form a sensing magnetic field extending outwardly from the ends of the legs for sensing purposes but which cancel one another within the central leg. The sensor is disposed within an E-shaped, hollow shield of an eddy current producing, electrically conductive material. The sensor fits within the shield as fingers in a glove with the parallel legs of the sensor magnetically separated from one another by walls of the shield. Only the ends of the sensor legs are exposed through apertures through the shield for emergence of the various magnetic fields. The shield cancels unwanted fringing fields and better guides the magnetic fields in desired directions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic stroboscope is used to inspect an object rotating at a first frequency to determine if the rotating object has any defects. The ultrasonic stroboscope includes a first acoustic transducer spaced apart from the rotating object. The first transducer is configured to radiate ultrasonic energy at the rotating object at a second frequency. The second frequency is substantially related to a sub-harmonic of the first frequency so that the rotating object appears acoustically substantially still. A second acoustic transducer is used to sense a reflection of the ultrasonic energy from a defect in the rotating object. The second transducer translates the sensed reflection into at least one reflection signal. A user interface is coupled to the reflection signal.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis system for automobile engines comprises an inverter motor (6) connected to a rotary shaft of an engine to be measured (2) and intended to rotate the engine (2), a microphone (8) for detecting an engine sound of the engine to be measured (2), a digital tape recorder for recording therein the engine sound detected by the microphone and an engine failure detector for extracting characteristics of the engine sound from the engine sound recorded in the recorder by a wavelet transform so as to detect a failure of the engine by the characteristics of the engine sound.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a dry bearing condition utilizes an ultrasonic transducer which is intermittently pulsed a certain number of times by a microprocessor and associated circuitry. The number of return pulses received by the ultrasonic transducer is detected by the microprocessor and is used to determine whether a dry bearing condition exists.

Abstract: The disclosed invention senses a machine's vibration spectrum, converts the vibration signal into a frequency-domain vibration spectrum, and analyzes the vibration spectrum to generate a narrowband alarm limit envelope against which the vibration spectrum of a previously uncharacterized machine may be compared. The limit envelope is generated from the test vibration spectrum of the machine which is the subject of the test, thus providing a performance benchmark against which to compare the vibration level of the previously uncharacterized machine. A limit envelope is also generated from a test vibration spectrum which has been designated as a reference or baseline spectrum. Further, a limit envelope is generated based upon a mean spectrum which is generated by combining several test vibration spectra. A limit envelope is also generated based upon mean and standard deviation spectra when a statistically significant number of test spectra are available.

Abstract: A vibration pickup sensor 2, which captures vibration information generated from a winding apparatus, is affixed to a winding apparatus 1. This vibration information is sent to a center station 5 via a LAN 4, and stored therewithin. A host computer 8 outputs a yarn-switching command when the amount of yarn wound on the winding apparatus reaches a prescribed amount. Then, after the winding spindle of the winding apparatus 1 reaches stable rotation after a given amount of time, the center station 5 stores the above-noted vibration information from the vibration pickup sensor 2 into a storage apparatus 6 in a pre-established format. The winding apparatus is configured so as to output this stored information as appropriate to printer 7, display apparatus 10 of the like.

Abstract: A signal processing device for processing a machine vibration signal includes a peak value detector for determining the peak vibration amplitude values during predetermined sample time periods. In one embodiment, the vibration signal is digitally processed prior to receipt by a digital peak value detector. In another embodiment, analog processing and peak value detection of the vibration signal is employed. The peak values are then made available for further processing. In many situations, the peak values will be associated with mechanical faults which will be detected at periodic rates corresponding to the mechanical component defect frequencies without additional signal enhancement. Further enhancement can be acquired by synchronous averaging the peak values with the speed of a rotating element.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to produce a monitor which can correctly distinguish normal from abnormal vibration using automatically selected monitoring features and algorithms. The monitor can be used with a variety of devices with different vibration characteristics. The monitor according to this invention has a sensor that detects the vibration of an object. The monitor is operated in learning mode when the object is vibrating normally. The waveform of the vibration detected by this sensor is sampled over an appropriate period and analyzed. The data for each sampling feature are subjected to statistical processing, and the data which evince slight change are extracted as monitoring features. A monitoring algorithm is automatically made for these monitoring features. The algorithm selected in learning mode are used to evaluate the vibration of an object when the monitor is in operating mode.

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 satellite to a hub satellite receiving station. From the hub satellite receiving station, the data may be sent to the control facility via the public telephone network.

Abstract: An encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation ensconcing a sensing element (90) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of an information transmitting medium (120) emanating from the back end (24). A component alignment preform (40) operatively couples the sensing element (90) with the information transmitting medium (120). The preform (40) includes a front ferrule (70) and a rear ferrule (80) bonded thereto and linearly spaced apart along a long axis "A". The preform (40) further includes an annular recess (44) in which the sensing element or coil (90) is placed. A first lead (98) and a second lead (100) of the coil are electrically connected to the front ferrule (70) and the rear ferrule (80), respectively. A back end (48) of the preform (40) receives a stripped end (122) of the cable (120) such that a plurality of conductors are operatively coupled to the front ferrule (70) and the rear ferrule (80) and to the leads of the coil.

Abstract: A method for locating a source position of an anomalous signal in a radial bearing comprises using a signal detection sensor, an inner-ring positional detection sensor for detecting a rotational position of a bearing inner ring, and a ball positional detection sensor for detecting a revolution position of bearing-balls. Signals from the signal detection sensor, inner-ring positional detection sensor, and ball positional detection sensor are used to locate positions of contact between balls and the inner or outer ring at a time of anomalous signal generation, within a load zone, as an anomalous signal source position.

Abstract: A device for testing mechanical devices using acoustic signature analysis of the sonic signature of such devices by filtering out the frequencies of interest, recreating such frequencies from their respective harmonics, and then correlating the recreated frequencies to pre-determined known characteristics or parameters developed from valid devices to predict the long term operability of other unknown devices in a noisy environment like a factory or an airport wherein other sources of sound and/or vibration are present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subject identification method which is adapted for performing an examination as to whether any change exists on an subject, or adapted for performing an estimation of a degree of the change on the subject. It is an aim that the examination and the estimation are performed with great accuracy. Residual signals are evaluated by means of letting an inverse filter interact with a standard and samples which may be out of the standard, so that a plurality of statistical variables are extracted, thereby testing or estimating as to whether a statistical significant difference exists between those two statistical variable groups.

Abstract: Apparatus and method utilized in conditioning an input signal from a transducer operatively coupled to a machine by self-biasing a circuit including an op-amp having an inverting signal input terminal, a non-inverting signal input terminal, bias voltage terminals and a signal output terminal. A power supply is operatively coupled to the bias voltage terminals via a single pair of supply lines and an input signal is directed to an input terminal of the op-amp. The op-amp outputs a conditioned signal to the supply lines which is superimposed with said DC bias voltage across the supply lines wherein the characteristics of the conditioned signal may be monitored via the supply lines.

Abstract: A method for reducing the total operating noise and/or the total vibration of at least two generally-identical rotating machines. In one embodiment, the noise (or vibration) contribution of each machine at a predetermined reference relative phase angle is estimated. Optimum phase angles are calculated by minimizing a cost function which includes such estimated noise (or vibration) contributions and each rotating machine's relative phase angle. In another embodiment, the gradient of a weighted sum of a measure of the magnitude of the acoustic pressure amplitude of the total operating noise (or the amplitude of the total vibration) is measured. Each machine phase angle is adjusted by a predetermined increment opposite in sign to its associated gradient. The measuring and adjusting are repeated until the gradient is within a limit.

Abstract: A spindle apparatus comprises a main shaft mounted for rotary movement, a rotating device for rotating the main shaft about an axis, a vibration device for vibrating the main shaft, a detecting device for detecting a displacement of the main shaft when the main shaft is vibrated by the vibration device and providing an output signal indicative of the displacement of the main shaft, a calculating device for calculating an allowable revolution speed of the main shaft on the basis of the output signal of the detecting device, and a drive source for driving the rotating device to rotate the main shaft within a speed range which does not exceed the allowable revolution speed. When an end of the main shaft is vibrated by the vibration device, a displacement of the vibrated main shaft is detected by the detecting device which provides an output signal indicative of the detected displacement.

Abstract: A portable three axis scanner is usable to inspect a gas turbine engine spool in situ upon removing a fan module from the engine. The scanner includes a drive assembly mountable to a forward end of the spool, and a support assembly mountable to an aft end of the spool. A support beam extends between the drive and support assemblies, and a carriage assembly is mounted thereon. The carriage assembly includes a probe support for mounting a removable scanner probe for inspecting the inside of the spool by ultrasonic or eddy current inspection. The drive assembly includes means for axially translating the carriage assembly, means for rotating the carriage assembly, and means for radially translating the probe support and probe thereon so that the probe has three-axis movement including axial, circumferential, and radial, respectively, for being selectively positioned inside the spool between the forward and aft ends thereof for inspecting the spool.