A method for operating a drive train having a power generator, a mechanical power transmission device, and a power receiver wherein the power transmission device is monitored to detect mechanical damage and/or the development of mechanical damage to the power transmission device, wherein detected damage and/or detected damage development is localized and the power generator, the power transmission device, and/or the power receiver are/is controlled such that a mechanical load at the localized damage location and/or damage development location is selectively reduced. A program product including program code sections with which such a method is feasible when the program product is executed on a programmable controller, a computer, or other programmable device.

Systems and methods for in-situ monitoring of gearbox are provided. An example system includes a mounting plate coupled to a component within the gearbox and a transducer array having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers disposed thereon to ultrasonically obtain diagnostic information about one or more components in the gearbox. The plurality of piezoelectric transducers are in contact with a surface of one or more mechanical components within the gearbox. The system includes circuitry, at least a portion of which is mounted inside the gearbox, electrically couplable to the transducer array, the circuitry configured to direct an excitation signal to a selected piezoelectric transducer of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers, and direct a response received from one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers in proximity to the selected piezoelectric transducer toward a processor programmed or configured to determine gearbox diagnostic information therefrom.

Systems and methods for in-situ monitoring of gearbox are provided. An example system includes a mounting plate coupled to a component within the gearbox and a transducer array having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers disposed thereon to ultrasonically obtain diagnostic information about one or more components in the gearbox. The plurality of piezoelectric transducers are in contact with a surface of one or more mechanical components within the gearbox. The system includes circuitry, at least a portion of which is mounted inside the gearbox, electrically couplable to the transducer array, the circuitry configured to direct an excitation signal to a selected piezoelectric transducer of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers, and direct a response received from one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers in proximity to the selected piezoelectric transducer toward a processor programmed or configured to determine gearbox diagnostic information therefrom.

Provided is a control device (14) for a power steering device including a steering mechanism (1) configured to transmit rotation of a steering wheel to a steered wheel, and an electric motor (13) configured to apply a steering force to the steering mechanism. The control device includes: a command signal calculation part (61) configured to calculate a motor command signal (Io) for control of driving of the electric motor, based on a state of steering of the steering wheel, and output the command signal to the electric motor; a vibration signal receiving part (69) configured to receive a vibration signal of the power steering device; and an abnormality determination part (63) configured to determine whether or not the power steering device is abnormal, based on a Y-axis acceleration signal (Gy) received by the vibration signal reception part.

Provided is a control device (14) for a power steering device including a steering mechanism (1) configured to transmit rotation of a steering wheel to a steered wheel, and an electric motor (13) configured to apply a steering force to the steering mechanism. The control device includes: a command signal calculation part (61) configured to calculate a motor command signal (Io) for control of driving of the electric motor, based on a state of steering of the steering wheel, and output the command signal to the electric motor; a vibration signal receiving part (69) configured to receive a vibration signal of the power steering device; and an abnormality determination part (63) configured to determine whether or not the power steering device is abnormal, based on a Y-axis acceleration signal (Gy) received by the vibration signal reception part.

Techniques for employing a smart sensor device that has a primary sensing function for sensing a state of a physical component and can concurrently enable one or more backup functions for sensing one or more states of one or more other physicals components in response to one or more other smart sensor devices not being able to perform their primary function of sensing and/or reporting on the one or more states of the one or more other physical components.

Disclosed herein are novel slew drive components and systems. In some cases, a slew drive system can comprise a sensor configured to measure deformation in a deformation element of a sensor carrier component, which can result from axial displacement of a worm gear of the slew drive system. In some cases, measured deformation of a deformation element can be used to determine torque applied to a worm gear by a slew drive worm wheel, as described herein.

Disclosed herein are novel slew drive components and systems. In some cases, a slew drive system can comprise a sensor configured to measure deformation in a deformation element of a sensor carrier component, which can result from axial displacement of a worm gear of the slew drive system. In some cases, measured deformation of a deformation element can be used to determine torque applied to a worm gear by a slew drive worm wheel, as described herein.

Provided is a sensor device that detects a predetermined state quantity, including: a correction unit that performs first detection and second detection having a smaller generated state quantity than the first detection, and that corrects a detection value of the first detection, based on a detection value of the second detection.

Provided is a sensor device that detects a predetermined state quantity, including: a correction unit that performs first detection and second detection having a smaller generated state quantity than the first detection, and that corrects a detection value of the first detection, based on a detection value of the second detection.