Small Portable Analyzer Diagnostic Equipment (SPADE) - Advance Development Prototype Report

摘要

The SPADE is an advanced development prototype of an off board aircraft bearing diagnostic equipment. The SPADE works on the shock pulse principle, which measures the kinetic impact and frictional energy within the tested component, independent of background vibration. The SPADE provides a highly accurate and trendable measurement of bearing condition that is independent of non-defect related background vibrations caused by the elastic motions f structures,rotors, gears, and shafts. The SPADE employs specialized signal conditioning and data processing techniques to measure frictional and shock energy associated with abrasive wear and dynamic impact of contaminated, pitted, spalled, corroded, or brinnelled bearing contact surfaces. This measured energy is then compared to present limits (stored in SPADE memory) that are representative of good, marginal, and discrepant conditions, and the status of the monitored component is displayed on the instrument's control panel. The unit has sufficient internal memory capacity to automatically process data from up to twenty-two (22) sensor locations on each of eight different aircraft models. It provides component condition readout in the form of a green (good), yellow (caution), or red (remove) light and a two digit percent degradation display to allow trending or discrepent component in the yellow (caution) zone. It is designed and packaged to survive the army field maintenance environment and can be operated by semi-skilled personnel. (Author)