A method for contact detection for an ultrasonic sensor system installed in a concealed or unconcealed manner is disclosed. The method involves detecting reference surroundings information, comprising a time profile of a signal with: noise signal information relating to a wall material and/or airborne sound signal information, using an ultrasonic sensor of the ultrasonic sensor system; storing the reference surroundings information; detecting real-time surroundings information, comprising a time profile of a signal with: noise signal information relating to the wall material and/or airborne sound signal information and/or object sound signal information relating to an object in contact with the wall material, using the ultrasonic sensor; and forming a difference signal between the surroundings information of reference surroundings information and real-time surroundings information, using a computational unit. The difference signal can be interpreted in a further step.

A method for contact detection for an ultrasonic sensor system installed in a concealed or unconcealed manner is disclosed. The method involves detecting reference surroundings information, comprising a time profile of a signal with: noise signal information relating to a wall material and/or airborne sound signal information, using an ultrasonic sensor of the ultrasonic sensor system; storing the reference surroundings information; detecting real-time surroundings information, comprising a time profile of a signal with: noise signal information relating to the wall material and/or airborne sound signal information and/or object sound signal information relating to an object in contact with the wall material, using the ultrasonic sensor; and forming a difference signal between the surroundings information of reference surroundings information and real-time surroundings information, using a computational unit. The difference signal can be interpreted in a further step.

A method is provided for identifying or authenticating an object. The method includes vibrating the object at a plurality of frequencies. The vibrations from the object are sensed at each of the plurality of frequencies using an accelerometer. A vibration profile of the object is generated using the sensed vibrations. The generated vibration profile is then compared to a stored vibration profile. It is determined if the generated vibration profile matches the stored vibration profile. A match indicates that the object has been identified or authenticated. In another embodiment, an object capable of implementing the method is provided. In another embodiment, the object may include a replaceable accessary. In this case, the initial and generated vibration profiles may be created with the replacement accessary attached to the object. A match of the generated and initial vibration profiles indicates that the replaceable accessary is authentic.

A method includes receiving data characterizing time-dependent lateral vibration of a shaft of a machine, the lateral vibration indicative of motion of at least a portion of the shaft perpendicular to a first direction. The lateral vibration is detected by a first sensor located at a first predetermined location on the shaft. The method further includes, receiving data characterizing time-dependent torsional vibration of the shaft, the torsional vibration indicative of rotation of the shaft around the first direction. The torsional vibration is detected by a second sensor located at a second predetermined location on the shaft. The method also includes calculating a coherence of the data characterizing time-dependent lateral vibration and the data characterizing time-dependent torsional vibration. The method further includes identifying, based on the coherence, a first frequency value in the frequency domain indicative of coupling between the time-dependent lateral vibration and the time-dependent torsional vibration.

A method includes receiving data characterizing time-dependent lateral vibration of a shaft of a machine, the lateral vibration indicative of motion of at least a portion of the shaft perpendicular to a first direction. The lateral vibration is detected by a first sensor located at a first predetermined location on the shaft. The method further includes, receiving data characterizing time-dependent torsional vibration of the shaft, the torsional vibration indicative of rotation of the shaft around the first direction. The torsional vibration is detected by a second sensor located at a second predetermined location on the shaft. The method also includes calculating a coherence of the data characterizing time-dependent lateral vibration and the data characterizing time-dependent torsional vibration. The method further includes identifying, based on the coherence, a first frequency value in the frequency domain indicative of coupling between the time-dependent lateral vibration and the time-dependent torsional vibration.

A vibration detection device includes a first component, a second component, and a detecting member. The first component and the second component can be moved with respect to each other. The detecting member is located at one of the first component and the second component and can be moved from a position in response to relative movement between the first component and the second component.

An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.

A thin, flexible computerized sensing platform which can be affixed to a structure to be sensed, which has excellent mechanical coupling between the sensors and the object to be sensed, which can be self-powered and rechargeable, and which can be environmentally sealed, and a method for assembling and utilizing the same.

A “periodic signal parameter” (PSP) indicates periodic patterns in an autocorrelated vibration waveform and potential faults in a monitored machine. The PSP is calculated based on statistical measures derived from an autocorrelation waveform and characteristics of an associated vibration waveform. The PSP provides an indication of periodicity and a generalization of potential fault, whereas characteristics of the associated waveform indicate severity. A “periodic information plot” (PIP) is derived from a vibration signal processed using two analysis techniques to produce two X-Y graphs of the signal data that share a common X-axis. The PIP is created by correlating the Y-values on the two graphs based on the corresponding X-value. The amplitudes of Y-values in the PIP is derived from the two source graphs by multiplication, taking a ratio, averaging, or keeping the maximum value.

Technologies are generally described for a vibration band alarm configuration tool to facilitate efficient and reliable setting configuration by displaying data and analyses pertaining to the data produced by a vibration transducer attached to a rotating machine and thereby reduces needed knowledge of machinery and vibration analysis. Various parameters and data sets may be calculated from the time domain waveform and displayed with collected data to simplify the recognition of features that represent system components and anomalies pertinent to the health of the rotating machine such as a pump assembly. Manually manipulatable controls on a graphic user interface may allow a user to set alarm bands and thresholds. Suggestions based on physical and/or statistical models, as well as, machine-specific historic data may be presented as well.