Maintenance Watchdog A.5. Desktop software allows operators to manage the wireless sensor network. Using the software operators can define the data point hierarchy, set data acquisition parameters, schedule data collection times, optimize data processing, select how to view the data, and perform vibration analysis. Each data point can be programmed to display vibration data in a different format: time and spectrum waveforms and overall vibration levels. The software can display vibration data as acceleration, velocity or displacement. Additionally, low battery voltage and high temperature conditions are monitored and notifications are provided allowing operators to respond accordingly.

The Wireless VibeHound™ Express kit simplifies vibration measurements for test engineers. The Wireless VibeHound™ Express system is composed of everything required to take NIST traceable vibration measurements using a battery powered wireless accelerometer (7034000-1). Internal to the 7034000-1 wireless sensor is a precision piezoelectric sensor, temperature sensor, signal conditioning, microcontroller, data memory, NIST traceable calibration, and a license free 914 MHz wireless transceiver. Using the 7043000-1 USB/Wireless Access Points with USB plug-and-play interface operators can communicate with and control multiple wireless accelerometers. The product includes an MS Windows .NET Framework Wireless VibeHound™ Express software application enabling users to view the data and configure the wireless accelerometers at a push of a button.

Techkor Instrumentation adds a new device into its wireless vibration monitoring system. The 7044000-1 Data Controller collects, processes, and stores vibration data information from Techkor wireless sensors. During startup, the Data Controller does not require any installation on a client’s computer. Operators can monitor wireless sensor data, be informed of alarm conditions, and configure sensor parameters all from the convenience of using a standard PC and Microsoft Internet Explorer. As an Ethernet node the unit features typical 10/100/1000Mbps base-T Ethernet, TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, SSH and Telnet accessibility. The 7044000-1 hosts the systems Vibration Monitoring MYSQL5 database, HTTP, FTP, SSH, NTP and basics network services. For easy configuration, the 7044000-1 is accessible using a direct Ethernet connection or remotely accessible over a companies computer network. Over the network, the wireless system configuration is available through an easy to use WEB interface. Operators may also configure or monitor the unit locally by connecting a standard VGA monitor and keyboard, or through a SSH/Telnet connection. In more complex and expanded installations one Data Controller can be configured as the master unit with additional Data Controllers configured as clients.

Techkor Instrumentation adds the 7043000-1 USB Wireless Access Point to its wireless sensor system. The solid-state 7043000-1 USB/Wireless Access Point works either as a USB to Wireless Access Point or as a Wireless Repeater depending upon how the device is physically configured. Each Techkor wireless system requires a minimum of one USB/Wireless Access point to operate properly. When sensors are placed at distances greater than 250 feet or when sensors are not in line of sight of the Wireless Access Points additional 7043000-1's can be deployed as battery powered repeaters. For greater repeater sensitivity the 7043000-1's can also be remotely powered through its USB connector. The 7043000-1 is an extremely reliable wireless device. In Repeater mode the 7043000-1 will only receive and repeat packets to and from Techkor wireless sensors. In Access Point mode the 7043000-1 will transfer packets between Techkor wireless sensors and Data Controller through the USB interface. Handshaking, packet framing, collision avoidance, packet encoding, and error checking are all performed automatically. For maximum confidence, the 7043000-1 performs periodic self-test diagnosis of power fluctuations, low battery, or harmful internal temperatures. Should operating parameters be exceeded, the unit will either alert the operator wirelessly or self-initiate a system reset.

Techkor Instrumentation has developed a Web interface which allows users to view vibration data and configure the wireless network and sensors without installing any client software on their computer. This interface provides access the MySQL database and HTTP server just by knowing the IP address of the Network Access Point.

Techkor Instrumentation introduces its next generation Wireless Vibration Monitoring system using Techkor Wireless Protocol Rev.A.5. It brings into the system new and powerful capabilities such as polling. The A.5 System allows simultaneous data points from different locations, data points on demand (polling), eliminates data loss during the wireless data transfer process, vibration RMS values included in data status packet and sensor battery power consumption information. Embedded Linux 2.6 is the operating system for the new A.5 system.

Maintenance Watchdog version A.4.0.10 provides trending and advanced graphical capabilities allowing the user to quickly spot critical vibrations related to machine conditions. Trend plots are available for spectral overall, spectral maximum, and RMS for acceleration, velocity, and displacement data. Additionally, sensor temperature, and sensor wireless link can be trended to quickly access the condition of the sensors deployed. Enhanced graphical capabilities include cursers, harmonic cursers, cut and paste directly into MS Word documents, and printing. Continued optimizations of wireless data rates and power management have improved the battery life for the Maintenance Watchdog system to well over 2 years.

The 7016000-1 USB accelerometer simplifies vibration data collection by allowing the use of off-the-shelf handheld computers. The USB accelerometer contains a precision piezoelectric sensor, temperature sensor, signal conditioning, digital signal processor, data memory, and USB interface. Powered over the USB bus, the accelerometer collects time waveform and spectral vibration data. Software for a Windows CE handheld or Windows desktop allows operators to collect and display vibration data, be informed of alarm conditions, and review historical trending.

Featuring enhanced diagnostics, Maintenance Watchdog version A.3 provides feedback concerning radio link quality, so that installation and set up is much faster and easier. Data transmission speeds have also been significantly improved which will lead to even better battery life for the Maintenance Watchdog system. Another export option has been added which now includes Design Maintenance System's MAINTelligence Monitor.

The ability to coordinate machinery speed with vibration data has been added to the Techkor Maintenance Watchdog™ System. The laser tachometer projects a visible laser beam which can be directed to gear teeth, timing belts, or rotating shafts to measure running speed. The system requires a white or reflective strip on the component to be measured, which allows the laser tachometer to detect the time between strip passings, converting this into RPM.

The laser tachometer is assigned to a workgroup of wireless accelerometers. The laser tachometer measures the running frequency whenever a wireless accelerometer within its work group transmits vibration data combining it with the vibration data at the Data Controller.

The 7033000-1 is an extremely reliable wireless device. Handshaking, packet framing, collision avoidance, packet encoding, and error checking are all performed automatically. For maximum confidence, the 7033000-1 performs periodic self-test diagnosis of power fluctuations, low battery, or harmful internal temperatures. Should operating parameters be exceeded, the unit will either alert the operator wirelessly or self-initiate a system reset.