The UCA 586 sensor is economically priced and is
specifically designed for contact applications. Examples of these
applications include:
This sensor is economically priced and is specifically designed
for contact applications. A list of potential application uses is
below:
I. Highly viscous fluid flows through pipes.
Small metal balls are used to separate the liquid and to act as a
sound source. Monitoring the sounds of the metal balls as they move
against the pipe indicates fluid flow. A drop in sound level
indicates disruption of flow.
II. Groove Counting. A machine cuts 21 groves in
an armature. The armature is spun 360° creating a click for each
grove. With sensor contacting the armature, the instrument counts
the clicks. An incorrect count is noted in a control panel.
III. A paper mill monitors a critical valve. In
only specific situations is the valve to be opened. Should a valve
leak, an alarm is activated.
IV. A food producer automatically washes large
tanks with an internal spray wand. A sensor mounted on the outer
wall detects the spray of water as it hits the interior wall. A
localized indicator signals a " no-wash" condition.
V. An Electric utility has sensors affixed to
cooling and feedwater boiler pumps to detect the onset of
destructive cavitation. As air bubbles are compressed in these
pumps, they burst producing a very distinctive ultrasound. Once a
baseline is set cavitation is indicated by an increase in
ultrasound amplitude.
VI. Screw Compressors: Bearings are monitored
for the onset of the failure mode in compressors used for
refrigeration. An increase of 10-50 times over a baseline in a
monitored ultrasonic frequency is the earliest indicator of bearing
failure according to NASA research.
VII. Fan Bearings: enclosed buildings must have
ventilated air move through at a set cfm (cubic feet per minute).
Should a fan bearing fail, the air quality in the building can be
negatively effected. Monitors are set to alarm should a bearing
enter the failure mode.
VIII. Cooling Fan bearings in a UPS
(uninterruptible power supply) for a computer room. Should the fans
fail, the computers can overheat and fail. These monitors relay an
alarm to a control panel.
IX. Dynamometers are used to simulate driving
conditions in an automotive test facility. The bearings are
critical for accurate results in the testing. Should a bearing
become faulty, the readings of a particular test can be incorrect.
These bearings are ultrasonically monitored to indicate the
earliest onset of bearing failure.
X. Landing gear in a test lab is used to provide
information about various mechanical processes related to this type
of landing gear. Sensors are mounted on the bearings of this gear
and set alarm should the bearing begin to fail.