Health monitoring system

Abstract

A health and condition monitoring system of an elastomeric component comprising an actuator, a sensor, and a processing unit. The sensor and the actuator need to be attached directly or indirectly tothe elastomeric component. The actuator induces an impulse, or possibly a chirp, into the elastomeric component. The sensor senses the response, the impulse response function. The processing unit analyzes the impulse response function and determines a health and condition indicator. This is repeated and when enough indicators have been determined, then a health and condition marker can be determined, covering if the elastomeric component is in a start period of usage, in a main usage period or in a final period of usage.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to elastomeric components such as bearings and dampers, and more particularly to monitoring the condition of laminated elastomeric bearings used in rotorcraft. Background technique [0002] The laminated elastic bearing includes a laminated elastic unit and an interface member attached to the laminated elastic unit. A laminated elastic unit includes alternating elastomeric and rigid layers (such as metal layers) that are vulcanized together during the molding process. In most cases the interface member is also part of the forming process and is thus vulcanized together with the laminated elastic unit. The geometry of the various layers of the elastomeric bearing as well as the interface member can vary depending on the application. [0003] For example, elastic bearings are used in rotorcraft such as helicopters. The stiffness of elastomeric bearings undergoes changes with use, age and environmental conditions. The ela...

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