Jun 11 2010
Sensors Inc. has received a global distribution and manufacturing license from an independent non profit vendor dealing with research and development, SRI International. The license is for the development of a diagnostic system using the vibration imaging technology from SRI.
Sensors, who develops portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) will, utilize this patented technology of SRI, to develop a new range of diagnostic systems that will be suitable for applications in the avionics/aerospace, automotive, and power generation systems industries.
Sensors' Emissions Measurement TECHnology, SEMTECH, product line has set the standard for Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS).
The vibration imaging technology involves using a computer and a special camera system capable of observing occurrence of vibrations on the objects’ surface in its view field. The system will be utilized for monitoring the mechanical health of a wind turbine, pipeline pump, vehicle, machine, or other structure without special wiring or lighting from a distance.
This system can depict mechanical problems in the automotive industry by detecting vibration or noises. This method can also be used for most equipment having rotating parts, since unexpected vibrations usually imply that repair or maintenance is required.
Hitherto, the only practical and dependable method of gathering vibration data was by using accelerometer sensors attached to the surface of an object. A wireless network or wiring harness was required to transfer information from such fixed accelerometers to computers that collect and analyze the data. The vibration imaging technology of SRI does not need special lighting, cables, or wires and can be positioned at a distance of hundreds of meters down to several centimeters from the actual object.
Data collected by using this vibration imaging technology is not restricted to a few fixed points, as is the case with accelerometer-enabled systems. The vibration imaging camera gathers data from all pixels in the image shot, and from everything in its view field. The technology can record accurate measurements on every component that ranges in size from many meters to a few microns.
This diagnostic system has several potential applications that range from to automotive subsystems like breaking and transmission and braking units in hybrid vehicles to testing machinery that range in size from trucks to wind turbines.