Csi Technology, Inc.

Computational Systems, Inc.

Rexford A Battenberg

Kenneth Ralph Piety

James C Robinson

William S Johnson

Terry G Carpenter

Willie T King

J Brent Van Voorhis

James Brent Vanvoorhis

Jason E Hillard

Brian D Heise

Kenneth C Puterbaugh

A diagnostic apparatus and method for sensing a signal emanating from a machine and determining a periodic machine event based on the emanated signal. The apparatus includes analog to digital processing components for digitizing the sensed signal, producing a digitized signal. The apparatus also includes a transform algorithm, memory, an analysis algorithm, and a display. The transform algorithm transforms the digitized signal to generate power spectral density and autocorrelation data which is stored in the memory. The analysis algorithm includes criteria for analyzing the stored power spectral density and autocorrelation data to determine a period machine event based at least in part upon the autocorrelation data. The display displays the periodic machine event to a user. In the event of a suspected defect or fault, the device alerts the user. The user may then elect to proceed with repairs or undertake advanced analysis of the suspected fault as economy dictates.

Automated fault diagnosis device and method

A portable digital ultrasonic monitoring system and method for use by an operator in detecting the ultrasonic waves and temperature variations produced by sources such as leaks in pipes, arcing, electrical corona and machinery defects is provided. The digital ultrasonic monitoring system includes a microprocessor based system in a hand held elongate housing that digitally analyzes and stores information received from its sensors. The digital ultrasonic monitoring system provides a referenced decibel output reading of the signal strength of the received ultrasonic signals. In addition, a heterodyned type audio signal that is related to the sensed ultrasonic signals is provided to the operator through a pair of headphones. The portable device has user input keys that allow the operator to select from a variety of different operating modes. A display displays a variety of different readings depending upon the operating mode of the device.

Digital ultrasonic monitoring system and method

An apparatus and method determines ultrasonic measurement parameters of ultrasonic measurements to be performed on a mechanical system, where the ultrasonic measurements are performed using a portable ultrasonic measurement device. The ultrasonic measurement parameters consist of information used in configuring the portable ultrasonic measurement device to make the ultrasonic measurements. The measurement parameters are used to configure an ultrasonic measurement device that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure ultrasonic characteristics of the mechanical system, where the ultrasonic characteristics are indicative of an operating condition of the mechanical system. The apparatus includes a processor for generating user instruction messages that query a user concerning specific characteristics of the mechanical system on which the ultrasonic measurements are to be performed. The user instruction messages also provide response options from which the user chooses in responding to the instruction messages. The apparatus includes a user communication device that receives the user instruction messages generated by the processor, and communicates the user instruction messages to the user. A user input device enables the user to choose from among the response options, and generates user input signals based upon response options chosen by the user. The processor receives the user input signals and generates the ultrasonic measurement parameters based on the user input signals. A memory receives and stores the ultrasonic measurement parameters. An interface receives the ultrasonic measurement parameters from the processor. The interface is capable of transferring the ultrasonic measurement parameters from the processor to the portable ultrasonic measurement device.

Equipment setup for ultrasonic monitoring

A highly portable infrared thermography system automates the collection, display, analysis, annotation, and recording of thermographic data and facilitates the efficient generation of reports. The system includes an infrared camera and a digital video data collector (VDC) having an embedded PC with an internal hard drive. The VDC also includes a VGA color LCD display with touch screen overlay for displaying images, presenting information to a thermographer, and for receiving data and command inputs from the thermographer. The system can be carried with a custom vest and battery belt, or it can be mounted to a hand truck. Thermographic images captured by the infrared camera are received by the VDC and displayed in real time at rates of at least thirty frames per second to eliminate flicker. The VDC also interfaces with a videotape recorder for displaying and recording images. Other interfaces include a visible image camera interface, a digital video interface, and a base station computer interface. Images of interest are stored on the VDC's hard drive where they can be retrieved for analysis and report generation in the field. A portable printer can be attached to the VDC to enable the thermographer to print reports as they are generated. Images can be annotated by the thermographer on the display, and the annotated images stored. The display is operable to prompt the thermographer with route information regarding particular equipment to be thermograhically inspected, and to suggest particular problems possibly indicated by a particular thermographically-observed condition.

Portable digital infrared thermography system

A system including a mobile infrared thermography unit and a base station for automating the collection of thermographic data and for facilitating the efficient generation of reports. The mobile infrared thermography unit includes an infrared camera, a storage device such as a videotape recorder for at least recording thermographic images captured by the infrared camera, and a mobile unit computer. The mobile unit computer includes a touch screen display for presenting information to a thermographer and for receiving data and command inputs from the thermographer. The mobile unit computer is interfaced to the infrared camera or the videotape recorder for maintaining a record, either by tape position or date/time stamp, where thermographic images of particular equipment are recorded. The mobile unit computer includes a display operable to prompt the thermographer with route information regarding particular equipment to be thermographically inspected, as well as to suggest to the thermographer particular problems possibly indicated by a particular thermographically-observed condition. The base station includes a base station computer which transfers information to the mobile unit computer prior to undertaking an inspection route, and receives information from the mobile unit computer when the route is completed. The base station computer is capable of directly accessing and downloading particular infrared images recorded by the videotape recorder, employing the tape position or date/time stamp information.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Rexford A Battenberg