Vibration sensor with mechanical isolation member
An apparatus and system for sensing vibration in rotary or reciprocating machinery, such as motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes, compressors, turbo-machinery or high-speed spindles, which comprises a mechanical isolation member ( 14 ) interposed between a sensor base ( 15 ) and a main sensor body ( 11 ). In one aspect, the mechanical isolation member comprises a coaxial cylinder of plastic, rubber or polyurethane which is compressed between the sensor base and main sensor body.
1. A vibration sensor for measuring vibration in a machine, said vibration sensor comprising:
a sensor base configured for mounting on a machine, said sensor base comprising a sensitive element for measuring vibration of said machine;
a main sensor body;
a mechanical isolation member interposed between said sensor base and said main sensor body, arranged such that said sensor base is not in direct contact with said main sensor body; and
an electrical assembly within said main sensor body for processing said measured vibration of said machine.
2. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member comprises plastic, rubber or polyurethane.
3. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is compressed between said sensor base and said main sensor body.
4. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member itself has a fraction of critical damping in a range of about 0.05 to 0.5.
5. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is a coaxial cylinder.
6. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
a transmission element for communicating information respecting said measured vibration of said machine to an external processing device.
7. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said electrical assembly is configured to process said measured vibrations in a working frequency range greater than 10 kHz.
8. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is attached to said sensor base such that said mechanical isolation member has high cross-axis stiffness.
9. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
an adapter assembly in communication with said main sensor body, configured for connection to an external data collector.
10. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , further comprising:
an antenna within said main sensor body configured for wireless transmission of information respecting said measured vibration,
wherein said main sensor body comprises a plastic cap.
11. The vibration sensor of claim 1 , wherein said mechanical isolation member has a natural frequency in a range of about 700 Hz to 1300 Hz.
12. A vibration sensing system for measuring vibration in a machine, said vibration sensing system comprising:
a sensor base configured for mounting on a machine, said sensor base comprising a sensitive element for measuring vibration of said machine;
a main sensor body;
a mechanical isolation member interposed between said sensor base and said main sensor body, arranged such that said sensor base is not in direct contact with said main sensor body;
an electrical assembly within said main sensor body for processing said measured vibration of said machine;
wherein said main sensor body comprises a transmission element for transmission of information respecting said measured vibration of said machine.
13. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said transmission element is a connector, further comprising:
an adapter cable assembly comprising an electrical conductor configured for communication between said connector and an external data collector.
14. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said transmission element is an antenna configured for wireless transmission of information respecting said measured vibration of said machine, and said main sensor body comprises a plastic cap.
15. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said mechanical isolation member comprises plastic, rubber or polyurethane.
16. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is compressed between said sensor base and said main sensor body.
17. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said mechanical isolation member has a natural frequency in a range of about 700 Hz to 1300 Hz.
18. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said mechanical isolation member itself has a fraction of critical damping in a range of about 0.05 to 0.5.
19. The vibration sensing system of claim 12 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is a coaxial cylinder.
20. A vibration sensor for measuring vibration in a machine for operation at a selected working frequency greater than 10 kHz, said vibration sensor comprising:
a sensor base configured for mounting on a machine, said sensor base comprising a sensitive element for measuring vibration of said machine;
a main sensor body;
a mechanical isolation member interposed between said sensor base and said main sensor body, arranged such that said sensor base is not in direct contact with said main sensor body;
means for processing said measured vibration of said machine; and
means for transmitting information respecting said measured vibration of said machine to an external processing device.
21. The vibration sensing system of claim 20 , wherein said mechanical isolation member comprises plastic, rubber or polyurethane.
22. The vibration sensing system of claim 20 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is compressed between said sensor base and said main sensor body.
23. The vibration sensing system of claim 20 , wherein said mechanical isolation member has a natural frequency in a range of about 700 Hz to 1300 Hz.
24. The vibration sensing system of claim 20 , wherein said mechanical isolation member itself has a fraction of critical damping in a range of about 0.05 to 0.5.
25. The vibration sensing system of claim 20 , wherein said mechanical isolation member is a coaxial cylinder.