Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

Ultrasonics

A technology that allows

us the hear what we
cannot audibly hear with
our human limitations

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Ultrasonics

 Cannot be measured with

standard CM tools, an
Ultrasonic Gun is required
to measure the signal and
then heterodyne the signal
to an audible one. The units
are displayed in dB

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Frequency Ranges
• The human ear can only detect
sound in the sonic range 20
to 20,000 Hz
• Any sounds that are above the
humans hearing capabilities
are referred to as Ultrasonic

Subsonic Sonic Range Ultrasonic Range

Range

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Ultrasonics

 Excellent tool for finding Air leaks

 Good tool for finding bearing problems,
lubrication issues can also be addressed
 Good tool for finding steam leaks in
steam traps
 Good in finding Electrical faults
 Very good in finding flow related
problems in pipes and valves
 Others

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

Some Ultrasonic Applications

 Air Leaks
 Steam Leaks
 Mechanical Wear Detection
 Lubrication Issues
 Corona Discharge
 Heat Exchangers
 Vessels, and Closed Systems
(underground tanks)
 Valves

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Ultrasonics and Air Leaks

 Air leaks are typically

found in the 40kHz
range
 Huge cost to Industry,
a small leak over 1
year can cost
thousands of dollars
 Plant noise can hide
audible noise

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Faulty Steam Traps
 Generate Ultrasonic
turbulence, valve
bounce and float
impacting

 Another method that

may help in resolving
the problem is to
measure inlet and
outlet temperatures

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Ultrasonics and Electrical problems
 Commonly found in:
 motor control
centers
 breaker panels
 power lines
 connections
 Insulation
breakdown
 Improper or
broken connections

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions

 Ultrasonics and Bearings
 A high percentage of
bearing fail due to
incorrect, insufficient
lubrication which
generate frequencies in
the 30kHz range,
Ultrasonics can help
detect this problem
 Bearing impacts can
clearly be heard, and
dB levels trended

Reliability Engineering and Diagnostic Solutions