Acoustic-Emission-Analysis System for Diagnosis of Machinery

A personal-computer-based system has been developed as a prototype of electronic signal-processing and computing systems for diagnosis of turbines, motors, and other rotary machines through analysis of acoustic emissions. The system includes acoustic sensors that respond in the kilohertz-to-megahertz frequency range wherein acoustic energy tends to emanate from bearing defects. The system also includes a relatively inexpensive desktop computer and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter that can acquire acoustic-sensor readings in as many as four channels at a sampling rate up to 5 MHz per channel.