Apparatus for measuring torsional vibrations of rotating machinery

U.S. Patent Number: 5390545

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring torsional vibrations of rotating machinery is provided. A wheel having a plurality of spaced apart teeth is connected to the rotating machinery. A sensor detects the speed of wheel rotation and responsively produces a speed signal that has a frequency proportional to the rotational wheel speed. A timing device receives the speed signal, determines the period of the most recent pulse of the speed signal, and responsively produces an instantaneous period signal that has a value representative of the determined period. A microprocessor receives the instantaneous period signal, determines an instantaneous speed value of the rotating wheel and an average speed value of the rotating wheel based on previous wheel rotations. The microprocessor further produces an instantaneous torsional velocity signal that has a value equal to the difference of the average speed value and the instantaneous speed value, and an instantaneous torsional displacement signal in response to numerically integrating the torsional velocity signal value. Finally, an output device receives the instantaneous torsional signals and displays the representative values.

Inventors: Doan; Tien D. (Peoria, IL)

Assignee: Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL)

Application Number: 08/002,557

Issued: 1995-02-21

Expired: 2007-02-21

Classes: 73/650 ; 324/166; 702/43; 702/56; 73/660

Field of search: 73/650,660,862.324,862.325,862.326 364/508,551.02 340/680,683

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