Khalid, an eddy current system typically consists of a proximitor (or oscillator/demodulator), an extension cable, and a eddy current non-contacting

proximity probe. The system is a tuned system in that the components have to be matched for proper functioning. The proximitor or oscillator/demodulator is an electronic device that has two basic functions: 1. Generates a radio frequency (RF) signal using an oscillator circuit. 2. Conditions the RF signal to extract usable data using a demodulator circuit. To do this the proximitor needs a -17.5 to -26 Vdc supply voltage connected between its VT and COM terminals. Once the proximitors oscillator has power it will generate an RF signal at a specific frequency. This frequency is dependent on the inductance (L) of the probe coil and the capacitance(C) of the extension and probe cables. The RF signal frequency will be within a range from 500 KHz to 2.0 MHz depending on specific type of proximitor and transducer. The RF signal is transmitted from the probe coil which creates an RF field around the probe tip. For a typical transducer, the RF field extends to a distance greater than 0.1 inches (100mils), although only 0.08 inch (80 mils) has to be linear. Physically large probes have a much larger range. When conductive material is present in the RF field, eddy currents flow in the surface of that material. The penetration depth of the eddy currents depend on the materials conductivity and permeability. Once the probe is close enough to cause eddy currents to flow in a conductive material the RF signal is affected in two ways: 1. Amplitude is at a minimum when distance (GAP) between probe and material is at a minimum. Maximum eddy current flow occurs. 2. Amplitude is at a maximum when distance (GAP) between probe and material is at a maximum. Minimum eddy current flow occurs. If the target is moving slowly within the RF field, the signal amplitude increases or decreases slowly. If the target is moving rapidly within the RF field, the signal amplitude increases or decreases rapidly. Oscillatory movement of the target causes the RF signal to modulate. The demodulator circuit deals with a slow or fast changing signal amplitude in the same way. If the target is oscillating slowly (gap changing slowly) the Proximitors output is a negative dc voltage, also changing slowly. If the target to probe gap is constant, then the output dc voltage will be negative and constant in value. If the probe sees a vibration, the proximitor will have a dc and an ac component output. The dc component is related to the average physical gap between the probe tip and the target

and the ac voltage component is representative of the dynamic motion of the target. Because dc and ac components are both present, the response is considered to be from 0 Hz (dc) to 10KHz. From a practical standpoint, the response at very high frequencies usually presents minimal information (1.0 mil peak to peak at 10 kHz is approximately 5000 gs peak!!). Hope this helps, in summary keep in mind that the output of the oscillator/demodulator is simply a dc voltage that has an ac component "riding" on it. The average value of the dc component is proportional to gap and the ac component represents dynamic motion of the target. Both variables can change independently. If a shaft moves for instance directly upward 5 mils and a probe is at 12 o'clock position then the dc component will go more positive by 1.0 volts, assuming a scale factor of 200 mV/mil. In other words that gap might change from -11.0 Vdc to -10.0 Vdc. If there isn't any vibration the ac component is "zero". If however the shaft vibrates in its new position in line with the same transducer by 4 mils peak to peak, then an ac voltage will be seen on that probe that is 0.8 volts ac peak to peak. Putting an orthogonal probe at the same location enables us to combine the two dc voltages to establish shaft motion in the bearing and the ac components are used to observe shaft dynamic orbits. John