MICROWAVE NON-CONTACT SMART VIBRATION SENSORS

Non-contact smart vibration sensors with normalized metrological characteristics have been designed based on probing objects by millimeter-wave band electromagnetic waves.

RVS -36P -  Non-contact smart vibration sensors 36GHz

RVS -94P - Non-contact smart vibration sensors 94GHz

The designed non- contact smart vibration sensors

can be applied to measure vibrations:
• of light-structure objects where physical contact with a sensor could derange a normal operation;
• of high frequency and small amplitude;
• high-speed elements;
• under conditions of high temperatures and aggressive medium;
• in sealed chambers;
• under conditions when the optical line-of-sight is not available;
• when it is difficult to provide a tap-off and reliability of measuring lines;
• of objects of any form and surface material;
• as a measuring device for coupling with a computer via a digital interface, with available analysis of spectra and any other required characteristics of the studied object.

Makes it possible to:
• provide a non-destructive control without a shutdown and disassembly of a device
• significantly expand the field of application of all existing methods;
• to provide a higher reliability and durability in comparison with contact sensors;

Features:
• high sensitivity;
• v high accuracy of measurement;
• high resolution;
• a wide dynamic range;
• availability of storage of any time realizations;
• compatibility of interfaces with digital and analog vibration sensors;
• the function of logging the results during more than 7 days;
• the function of monitoring the operating mode
  (two levels of the control - the "Alarm" level, the “Emergency” level with the option of automatic switching-off high-current devices).

Field of application:

In the branches of industries (heat-and-power engineering, gas and oil industry, radiolocation, etc.) and in the defense technology, where complex dynamic objects are applied. For example: in aviation - non-contact turbine start-up control and state control of turbine blades, in the process of routine maintenance of aircraft engines; in heat, gas and power engineering - shaft and turbine blades operation control with vibration amplitude estimation, providing the supervision system for a normal operating mode and prevention of emergencies

  Method:

The designed vibration sensor is based on the interference radio wave technique of evaluating the phase of the return received in the process of object probing by microwave waves. It features a high resolution, and can be used under conditions when optical line-of-sight is bad or not available, in high temperatures and for objects with great variety of forms and surface materials.

The advantage of the phase method of measurement is that the return amplitude is not directly involved in calculation of vibration parameters. The usage of up-to-date digital signal processing allowed to develop a smart vibration sensor, operating within a wide distance range from an object, wide range of frequencies and amplitudes of vibrations and displacements and with available high metrological characteristics and unified analog and digital interfaces.

The non-contact radio wave smart vibration sensor is designed as a compact device containing a transmit-receive module and the controller module based on TMS320VC5502 digital signal processor made by “Texas Instrument” :

Comparison with contact methods of vibration control