Multi-scale real-time acoustic emission monitoring and analysis method for mechanical seal

Abstract

A real-time monitoring and analysis method for a mechanical seal. In the method, an acoustic emission signal generated by a friction pair at a mechanical seal end surface is measured; a specific acoustic source generate signals on a plurality of specific frequency bands on an acoustic scale. In a seal operating process motion causes the acoustic emission signal to change on a dynamic time scale equivalent to a period of rotation. In a long-term seal service process, cumulative performance changes occur on a service time scale due to running-in, wear, and/or aging of elastic elements; for this feature, the long-term change process of the acoustic emission signal needs to be considered. Analysis is performed, on multiple scales, in combination with auxiliary information and with determined physical characterization quantities passed to scales of longer time, thereby determining the real-time working state of the seal and providing a performance change expectation of the seal. In an embodiment, the acoustic scale transfers frictional power consumption, maximum contact depth and leakage rate to the dynamic scale, and the dynamic scale transfers a wear rate to the service scale, while part of the auxiliary information of the acoustic scale analysis may come from the results of the service scale analysis.