(((ULTRASOUND)))

Ultrasound equipment filters out the lower end frequency signals, that can mask the higher frequency stress waves. These stress waves can be caused by bearing or gear flaws. Impacts, fatigue cracking, and friction from rubs and or lack of lubrication also produce stress waves.

NASA did a study proving that an 8dB increase from the base line of a good bearing indicates a lubrication problem. A 12dB increase represents incipient failure. A 16dB increase suggests failure. 35-50dB places the bearing in the catastrophic failure zone.

Ultrasound uses a Heterodyned signal that modulates with the higher frequency stress waves, making these stress waves audible to the human ear. This signal can be processed in a vibration data collector. The results are often superior in representing impact events in an FFT or a Timewaveform.

Simply put, the ultrasound already filters out the low end noise, if you apply an appropriate filter in your data collector the result will be an even cleaner Timewaveform representing those impact events.

Consider applying ultrasound to these areas:

LEAK DETECTION pressure & vacuum

ELECTRIC ARC, CORONA, TRACKING DETECTION

MONITORING BEARING WEAR & Gearbox inspection

MACHINE TROUBLESHOOTING

FAULTY STEAM TRAPS 

FAULTY VALVES 

Review of equipment environment and mounting

Summary of Machine Testing

list of Reference material, when used