Scott Robert Brown

Vibration analysis for predictive maintenance of rotating machines

A method for determining the operational condition of a rotary machine is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the machine under a baseline operating condition and collecting baseline vibrational data. A preselected number of baseline parameters are calculated from the baseline vibrational data. Next, a first baseline operational indicator is calculated from the baseline parameters, and the baseline parameters and the first baseline operational indicator are stored in a memory location. The machine is then monitored under a subsequent operating condition, and subsequent vibrational data is collected during the subsequent operating condition. A preselected number of subsequent operating parameters is calculated from the subsequent vibrational data, and a first subsequent operational indicator is calculated from the preselected number of subsequent operating parameters. Finally, the baseline data is compared to the subsequent operating data to determine the condition of the machine.