Condition Analyzer

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for evaluating the condition of a machine ( 100 ) with a measuring point ( 90 ), which method is performed by a movable analysis apparatus ( 30 ). The method comprises the steps of producing a condition value, by means of measuring at the measuring point, which condition value is dependent on the actual condition of the machine, and storing the condition value in a writable information carrier ( 120 ) which is placed by, or in the vicinity of, the measuring point ( 90 ) so that the condition value subsequently can be used as a reference condition value. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method and a device for co-operating with the analysis apparatus and for mounting by a measuring point on the machine ( 100 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable vibration monitor, comprising: 
 a housing;    a sensor unit;    a transducer coupled to said sensor unit, wherein said transducer is substantially enclosed within said housing, and wherein said transducer has as an output an analog signal representative of vibrations present in a piece of vibrating machinery contacted by said sensor unit;    an analog to digital converter coupled to said output of said transducer, and configured to digitize said analog signal;    a processing circuit configured to receive said digitized analog signal and to produce digital data comprising a value indicative of the degree of bearing wear derived from said digitized analog signal, and    an interface circuit configured to receive said digital data from said processing circuit and to transmit said digital data to a device external to said housing.    
     
     
         2 . The monitor of    claim 1   , wherein the processing circuit further produces a vibration parameter comprising velocity.  
     
     
         3 . The monitor of    claim 1   , wherein the processing circuit further produces a vibration parameter comprising enveloped acceleration.  
     
     
         4 . The monitor of    claim 1   , wherein the processing circuit further produces a vibration parameter comprising a frequency domain spectrum.  
     
     
         5 . A method of monitoring the condition of a machine, comprising the steps of: 
 storing data indicative of bearing service or bearing assembly in a memory located proximate to a measuring point on a machine;    mechanically coupling a transducer to said measuring point;    processing an output of said transducer to produce data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine; and    storing said data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine in said memory.    
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 5   , additionally comprising the step of subsequently retrieving said data from said memory.  
     
     
         7 . A handheld probe for monitoring the condition of machines, said handheld probe comprising: 
 a housing;    a piezoelectric transducer within said housing;    electrical circuitry within said housing;    a probe comprising a coupler for connecting to a device located at a measuring point on a machine, wherein said probe is mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric transducer; and    a contact located proximate to said probe, said contact coupled to said electrical circuitry so as to transmit electrical signals between said electrical circuitry and one or more devices external to said housing, whereby both an electrical and mechanical coupling between the device at the measuring point is made when said probe is connected to said device.    
     
     
         8 . The handheld probe of    claim 7   , wherein said probe comprises a threaded portion adapted for engagement with a probe receiving location on the machine.  
     
     
         9 . An interface between a vibration measuring point on a machine and a digital data processor, said interface comprising: 
 a portable, housing;    a probe having a first portion external to said housing which is configured to mechanically couple to said vibration measuring point, said probe additionally comprising a second portion coupled to a vibration transducer;    a circuit in said housing translating an analog electrical signal output from said transducer into digital data;    wireless communication circuitry within said housing receiving said digital data, and for wirelessly transmitting said digital data.    
     
     
         10 . A method of monitoring the condition of a machine, the method comprising the steps of: 
 contacting a measuring point on said machine with a portable probe comprising a vibration transducer;    converting an output of said transducer to first data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine; and, electronically evaluating said data by determining the rate of change of the value of said data.