Validation of vibration measurements for heavy duty machinery diagnostics

Latest development of distributed condition monitoring for heavy duty machinery has revealed a major challenge concerning reliable data acquisition. Due to frequent failures of diagnostic algorithms caused by incorrectly registered data, validation of vibration signals became a very attractive field of research. The paper shows how classical data acquisition procedures might be enhanced by implementation of signal validation methods based on both machine process parameters signals and machine vibration signals. Presented validation covers analysis of process parameters, data stability constrains and also independent and comparative validation of vibration signals. Benefits of applied techniques are illustrated on real data from a wind turbine.

► Complete set of rules for automatic validation of process and vibration signals. ► New concept of signal classification in terms of diagnostic significance. ► Condition monitoring exposed to signal disturbances and excessive fluctuations.