Implementing the tasks associated with the condition monitoring and diagnostics of mechanical systems: Using as an example the vibration condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines.

Abstract

In the past decade, there have been significant improvements in the manner in which one implements the tasks associated with the condition monitoring and diagnostics of mechanical systems. Here, used as an example of these improvements are the technologies related to the art of vibration condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines, including those related to motion sensors and their associated instrumentation, the handling, processing, and storage of information and data by computers, user interfaces, and databases. Looking forward to the next decade, there is every indication that equally significant advances can be anticipated in these technologies, particularly in those related to monitoring and diagnosing−in real time−the trends in the responses of such high-speed machines as gas turbines to sudden changes in speed and power demand. The engineer/operators of such modern, high-speed machines seek assurance that their machines can be operated safely and efficiently at, and even beyond, their design limits. In turn, this is putting pressure on the designers and manufacturers of the computer-based instrumentation subsystems that actually perform the tasks of sensing, measuring, analyzing, processing, and storing information and data essential to every condition monitoring and diagnostics system. The problems associated with meeting these sometimes conflicting requirements are discussed here.