Acoustics and vibrations for process improvements: an innovative ultrasounds use in harsh environment

摘要

Regular radio frequency wireless process control solutions find their limits in harsh environments where their technologies are forbidden. To fulfil the needs of wireless process control systems in those environments, ultrasounds can be part of the solution. Specifically, in valve misalignment control for nuclear plants, information transfer using RF systems (WiFi, ZigBee…) are forbidden because of potential EM interactions with I&C systems. In this application, 01dB-Metravib has developed, with AREVA, an original system that uses ultrasounds to replace a standard wireless communication product. To decrease misalignment detection time, it embeds all the requirements from an industry driven system. As ultrasound is less interacting with their surroundings than standard wireless technologies, the main safety issues are solved. In the wireless family, this ultrasound based low rate data transfer system is an alternative for harsh environments.