A computer implemented method of determining when to replace a seal component of a seal assembly includes obtaining an indication of an accumulation of acoustic emission energy emitted from the seal component over a period of time and determining an estimate of remaining lifetime of the seal component based on the indication.

An arrangement is provided including at least one sound transducer and at least one component. The component is configured to be moved relative to the sound transducer. A gap is provided between the component and the sound transducer, and the gap is filled or is configured to be filled with a liquid.

A bearing lubrication system includes an ultrasonic signal detector affixed in proximity or in contact with a set of bearings and a control unit. The control unit including (a) a lubrication dispenser fixed to a structure connected with the set of bearings and having an output for dispensing lubricant to the set of bearings through a controllable valve; and (b) a transceiver affixed in proximity to the set of bearings, said transceiver transmitting the ultrasonic signal to a location remote from the set of bearings. A hub computer is at the remote location that receives the ultrasonic signal from the transceiver. When the hub computer determines that the ultrasonic signal is above a local predetermined threshold the hub computer generates a local valve open/close signal and sends it back to the transceiver of the control unit. When the local valve open/close signal is received at the transceiver it causes the valve to open and allow lubricant to reach the bearings and closes the valve when the ultrasonic signal drops below the threshold.

An inspection system for inspecting an article, such as a railway wheel, is provided. The inspection system includes a robotic arm and a bath having a couplant. The inspection system has three sensors in the bath and in fluid communication with the couplant. The first sensor couples with the bath and is positioned within the bath to inspect a first area of an article. The second sensor couples with the bath different from the first sensor and is positioned to inspect a second area of the article. The third sensor is coupled with the bath and is positioned within the bath to inspect a third area of the article. One of the sensors couples with the bath such that during an inspection of the article within the bath the sensor may be adjusted to inspect a fourth area of the article.

An ultrasonic method and system for simultaneously measuring lubrication film thickness and liner wear of sliding bearings. The method includes: installing an ultrasonic sensor on a bearing bush; sending, by a processor, signals to an ultrasonic pulser-receiver to generate voltage pulses to excite the ultrasonic sensor to generate ultrasonic pulses; collecting an echo signal of an unworn liner-air interface as a reference signal B.sub.a(f); collecting an echo signal of worn liner-lubrication film interface as to-be-measured signal B.sub.ow(f); obtaining an amplitude spectrum |B.sub.a(f)| and a phase spectrum Φ.sub.B.sub.aof B.sub.a(f), an amplitude spectrum |B.sub.ow(f)| and a phase spectrum Φ.sub.B.sub.ow(f) of B.sub.ow(f) by FFT; calculating an amplitude spectrum |R.sub.w(f)|, and a phase spectrum Φ.sub.R.sub.w(f) of a reflection coefficient; based on |R.sub.w(f)|, calculating lubrication film thickness d via a resonance model or a spring model; and based on Φ.sub.R.sub.w(f), calculating liner worn thickness via wear model under different film thicknesses.

An embodiment hammer device includes a driver, an upper body configured to move in a direction set by power generated from the driver, an elastic body provided on the upper body, a hammer provided in the elastic body, a force sensor provided in the hammer, and a support configured to support the elastic body and the hammer.

A method for monitoring performance of at least one component on a moving platform, the method including receiving sensor data for the at least one component, along with supplemental data, at a processing node; and processing the sensor data, the processing using the supplemental data to filter the sensor data.

Described herein is a method of monitoring a condition of a component of a gas turbine engine, comprising: obtaining, with a non-contact monitoring sensor, monitoring data, wherein a portion of the monitoring data relates to the condition of the component of the gas turbine engine; obtaining, using a position sensor, positional data relating to the component's position; communicating the monitoring data and the positional data to a processing module, and analysing, using the processing module, the monitoring data and positional data to determine the portion of the monitoring data which relates to the component and determine a condition of the component. Also described herein is a system for monitoring and a gas turbine engine comprising the system.

A method for forming a wear sole includes forming a plurality of layers from a frame material, adjacent layers bonded to one another to define a frame. The frame can include a proximal surface configured to secure the frame to a probe holder, a distal surface configured to contact a portion of a target, a body extending between proximal and distal surfaces, an aperture extending through proximal and distal surfaces and the body, and a channel extending from the proximal surface to a chamber in fluid communication with the distal surface. The method can optionally include placing a membrane within the aperture. The membrane can be coupled to the body by a seal, inhibiting passage of a fluid through the proximal surface via the aperture. The chamber can extend within the body between a distal surface of the membrane and the distal surface of the frame.

A non-destructive testing system includes a probe positioning assembly, a matrix array ultrasonic probe arranged on the probe positioning assembly configured to position the matrix array ultrasonic probe adjacent to a mating axial surface of a wheel for ultrasonic communication with the wheel. The matrix array ultrasonic probe is configured to emit a validation ultrasonic signal directed towards a coupling validation section within the wheel, measure the emitted validation ultrasonic signal after reflection from the coupling validation section, emit a plurality of ultrasonic inspection signals directed towards at least one inspection section of the wheel, and measure each of the plurality of ultrasonic inspection signals reflected from a defect positioned within the inspection section of the wheel.