Textron Systems Corporation

Howard C Choe

Jaime A Woodroffe

Emel S Bulat

Alan C Chachich

Jonathan M Glesmann

Kevin J Keane

An acoustic system has an acoustic sensor and a processing circuit. The acoustic sensor includes a base, a microphone having a microphone diaphragm supported by the base, and a hot-wire anemometer having a set of hot-wire extending members supported by the base. The set of hot-wire extending members defines a plane which is substantially parallel to the microphone diaphragm. The processing circuit receives a sound and wind pressure signal from the microphone and a wind velocity signal from the hot-wire anemometer, and provides an output signal based on the sound and wind pressure signal from the microphone and the wind velocity signal from the hot-wire anemometer (e.g., accurate sound with wind noise removed). The configuration of the hot-wire extending members defining a plane which is substantially parallel to the microphone diaphragm can be easily implemented in a MEMS device making the configuration suitable for miniaturized applications.

Systems and methods for sensing an acoustic signal using microelectromechanical systems technology

A monitoring method and device which is capable of determining the overall fitness or condition of the device being monitored while simultaneously detecting unknown or unrecognized vibration frequencies. In addition, setting threshold values corresponding to the environment surrounding the device reduces the incidence of false alarms. False alarms may be controlled while detection of true alarms may be maximized by assigning values indicative of thresholds crossed and averaging the values before issuing an alarm. The monitoring system may also provide detailed information as to the operating condition of the device so as to allow the device to operate closer to its margin of safety. Thus, the device may handle more power or speed, without the need to modify the physical design. In addition, an onboard processing unit may be used to determine when the physical load on the device is approaching its physical limits and warn the operator so as to prevent the device from exceeding those limits.

Method and apparatus for monitoring rotating machinery

Torque information of a rotating machine may be determined by counting a number of discrete samples representing a rotation of a rotating component. If the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component changes, it may be assumed that the torque has changed due to a change in loading placed on the rotating machine. The amount of change in torque may be determined by determining the amount of change in the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component.

Method and apparatus for estimating torque in rotating machinery

The present invention is a method and apparatus for determining whether the sensors or the used in a device monitoring system are properly functioning before rendering a determination as to a defect within the device itself. As a result, maintenance costs may be reduced while limiting the number of false indications of failure, thereby increasing the reliability of the monitoring system.

Method and apparatus for self-diagnosis of a sensor

A sensor plug for use in sensing a plurality of operating conditions of a gearbox is disclosed. The sensor plug includes a body defining an axis. A probe end is formed at one end of the body and is particularly adapted for attaching to an oil drain plug of the gearbox. A plurality of sensors are located within the body for sensing operating conditions of the gearbox through the probe end. Examples of the sensors located within the body include a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.

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Andover, MA, United States of America

Howard C Choe