Accelerometer and Velomitor

Transducer System Operation

Accelerometer and Velomitor

System Operation Page 1


Rev C 128122
I. INTRODUCTION

An acceleration transducer, much like the velocity transducer, is an
electromechanical device that converts one form of energy to another. In the case
of the accelerometer, this conversion is from mechanical movement into a voltage
output. From this output meaningful casing vibration data can be derived for
frequencies as high as 30,000 Hz (30 KHz).

A. Accelerometer Transducer System

1. The acceleration transducer
(Figure 1) assembly is composed
of a CASING and BASE
assembly, a PIEZOELECTRIC
CRYSTAL, an INERTIAL
REFERENCE MASS, and an
ELECTRONICS COMPONENT.
To complete the system an
INTERCONNECT CABLE and
INTERFACE MODULE provide
the transfer medium and signal conditioning necessary to interface with
a readout device or monitor.

2. The CASING and BASE assembly forms the housing for the
transducer mechanism. The base part of the assembly provides the
mounting interface with the machine. It is through this base mounting
MICA
INSULATOR
CONDUCTIVE
PLATE
ELECTRICAL
INSULATOR
ELECTRONICS
COMPONENT
PRELOAD BOLT
MASS
PIEZOELECTRIC
CRYSTAL
BASE
ASSEMBLY

Figure 1 - Cut-Away View of Accelerometer

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that all motion from the machine case is transferred to the transducer. A
connector for mating with an integral cable is mounted to the shell for
electrical interface with the rest of the transducer system and readout
device.

3. The PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL is the medium by which the
physical acceleration of the vibration source is initially converted to an
electric charge. The crystal is a synthetic ceramic material, which, when
subjected to a mechanical stress, creates a displayed electrical charge.
Stress in the form of cyclic compression takes place because the crystal
is sandwiched between and experiences relative movement of the
inertial reference mass and the base of the transducer. The charge can
then be amplified by the electronics component.

4. The ELECTRONICS COMPONENT, or charge amplifier, provides
amplification of the charge coming from the Piezoelectric crystals. The
standard output of this internal amplifier will be 25 mV/g for standard
and 10 mV/g for high frequency acceleration transducers made by
Bently Nevada.

The acceleration transducer systems provided by Bently Nevada are of
two basic forms; the standard frequency transducer which has a usable
frequency response range of 30 Hz to 10 KHz (1,800 to 600,000 cpm;
+/-5% or +/-.45 dB) (Figure 2), and the high frequency accelerometer
with a usable frequency range of 7Hz to 14 KHz (+/-5%).

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Rev C 128122
In addition to the standard and high frequency acceleration transducers
described above, additional acceleration transducer designs are
available for special applications.


5. The part numbering scheme for the acceleration transducer follows
the general form:

MODEL NUMBER-A-B
Where MODEL NUMBER-
A = acceleration transducer model number.
B = transducer mounting adaptor option (when available).

RESONANCE
FREQUENCY
SYSTEM
ACCELEROMETER
FREQUENCY cpm
Typical Amplitude vs Frequency Response

Figure 2 - Typical Accelerometer Response Characteristics
Velomitor
A third type of transducer, the Velomitor, incorporates the
accelerometer design with the addition of an internal
integration circuit for measurement outputs in velocity.
Velomitor operation will be described later.

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B. Interconnect Cable

1. The INTERCONNECT
CABLE for the transducer
system (Figure 3). Allows
you to connect the
acceleration transducer to
the interface module and
the module to the monitor.
Standard lengths will vary
from 1 foot to 300 feet from transducer to module and up to 1000 feet
from module to monitor. Cables will typically be of either coaxial or
twisted 18 or 22 AWG shielded construction and available with or
without armor. See individual specification sheets and manuals for the
cable composition and length limits of each transducer model.

2. The part numbering for the interconnect cable will follow the general
form:

MODEL NUMBER-A-B
Where:
MODEL NUMBER = cable model number
A = cable length option
B = cable armor option (when available)

INTERCONECT
CABLE (coaxial)
INTERFACE MODULE
ACCELEROMETER

Figure 3 - Typical Acceleration Transducer System

Accelerometer and Velomitor

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Rev C 128122
Example 1: 21165-25-01
21165 = Bently cable for Bently high frequency accelerometer
(24147).
25 = 25 foot cable length.
01 = with armor

Example 2: 18622-19-00
18622 = Bently cable for standard frequency accelerometer (23732).
19 = 19 foot cable length.
00 = Teflon coaxial cable without armor.

Example 3: 45358-09
45358 = Bently standard temperature cable for aeroderivative
applications.
09 = 9 meter maximum cable length.


C. Accelerometer Interface
Module

1. The housing for the
standard and high frequency
INTERFACE MODULE
(Figure 4) is very similar in
construction to the 3300
Proximitor. Alternative
-V
T
(-18 TO -24 VDC)
COM
OUTPUT
INPUT
FROM
TRANSDUCER
TERMINAL
BARRIER
CONNECTOR
Figure 4 - Accelerometer Interface Module Housing

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housing designs exist, however, for other transducer models. It
performs a multitude of functions necessary for the accelerometer
transducer system to operate properly.

Included in its functions are the following:

a. Provides a constant current source for the accelerometer
transducer.

b. Amplifies the accelerometer output signal to 100 mV/g. To
achieve this, the standard frequency module will amplify the signal by
4X (from 25 mV/g ) and the high frequency module by 10X (from 10
mV/g).

c. Provides the proper bias level of -8.5 Vdc for the output signal for
OK detection.

d. Provides a comparator circuit for OK and NOT OK detection.
Circuit will differentiate between a short or open circuit and provide
to the monitor an output within -2.5 V of common for a short circuit
or within -3 V of the input supply voltage for an open circuit
condition.

e. Provides the necessary electronics for driving large capacitive
loads (long cables) (Figure 5).


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2. The part numbering for the interface module will follow the general
form:

Model Number-A
Where:
MODEL# = module model number
A = series number

Note: Interface modules designed for special applications may have
additional available options.

Example 1: 23733-02
23733 = Interface module for 23732 standard temperature
accelerometer.
02 = model with circuitry power supply or -24 Vdc only (see manual
TW8029278).
10 (dB)
0 (-0.9dB)
8 (-1.9dB)
7 (-3.1dB)
6 (-4.4dB)
5 (-6dB)
4 (-8dB)
3 (-10.5dB)
100K 10K 100 10 1K
Zero through 0.01 f
0.022 f
0.05 f
0.1 f
0.5 f
1.0 f
P
E
A
K

T
O

P
E
A
K

O
U
T
P
U
T

V
O
L
T
A
G
E

(
-
V
D
C
)
FREQUENCY (Hz)
Typical Accelerometer Interface Module
Frequency Response vs Capacitive Loading

Figure 5

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Example 2: 89130-01
89130-01 = interface module for 89129 accelerometer. No other
standard options.

Example 3: 86497-01-02-01-00
86497 = interface module for aeroderivative applications
01 = 40 Hz high pass option
02 = 350 Hz low pass option
01 = AC power supply
00 = no approvals
required


II. INTRODUCTION - Principles of Operation

The accelerometer is best suited for measuring very high frequency vibration
signals; for example, in blade passage applications, and on gearboxes and high
speed machines with roller element bearings. Displacement levels may be very
low at higher frequencies and velocity measurements may be rendered unreadable
at higher levels by the electronic limitations of the Seismoprobe

. Acceleration
measurements, on the other hand, can provide critical information about the
machine operating condition.

A. Operating Principles
Scale Factor
Accelerometer scale factors and options
may vary depending upon the manufacturer
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1. When the transducer experiences a vibration source above its
minimum operating frequency the inertial reference mass contained in
the transducer will remain motionless. Motion at the transducer base
will put cyclic (increasing and decreasing) compression on the
piezoelectric crystal.

2. This cycle compression of the piezoelectric crystal induces an
electric charge (measured in picocoulombs (Pc)) across opposing
faces of the crystal. This charge is proportional to the acceleration of
the crystals movement.

3. In order for this electric charge to be employed in the measurement
of meaningful data, it must be amplified to a useful level. A charge
amplifier is, therefore, contained within the transducer which will
convert the signal from picocoulombs/g (Pc/g) to millivolts/g (mV/g).
The output will then have a scale factor of 25 mV/g
p
for standard
transducers or 10 mV/g
p
for high frequency transducers over the rated
frequency range. The signal is then sent to the interface module for
further conditioning.

Noise
A certain amount of signal noise will be generated in the charge amplifier. As
a result, a small output will be created even when there is no vibration source.
The reader should also be aware of other external sources of noise for each
transducer application. See the noise section for further details.
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4. The interface module is used to provide power to the transducer
unit and to amplify and provide proper biasing of the signal using the
components outlined in the previous section. The supply voltage is
either -18 and -24 Vdc depending on transducer model, the output
sensitivity from the standard interface module is 100 mV/g
p
with a -
8.5 Vdc signal bias level (these values may also vary for different
transducer systems). This sensitivity will extend over the rated
frequency of the individual transducer model.

B. Operating Limitations

1. The accelerometers lower limit of operation is defined by the
motion of the inertial mass with respect to the rest of the transducer
assembly. At very low frequencies the case and inertial mass will move
together. Since, in this case, there is no relative movement between the
two, there will be no cyclic compression of the piezoelectric crystal, and
therefore, little or no output from the transducer. As the measured
frequency increases to such a degree that the inertial mass first remains
motionless (similar to the motionless of the bobbin on the
Seismoprobe

) the piezoelectric crystal will be placed in cyclic

compression since the base assembly is still moving with the machine.
Other Applications
Special transducers, such as those used in aeroderivative applications, have
been designed with alternative input voltages and output sensitivities to suit
particular application requirements.
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2. Above the low end of the transducers output curve, the output stays
linear for a linear increase in acceleration. As the transducer approaches
the upper limit of operation, however, this will not be the case.

The upper limit of the acceleration is defined by the natural resonant
frequency of the piezoelectric crystal. As the measured frequency
approaches the natural resonant frequency, the output amplitude of the
transducer will begin to increase in non-linear fashion accompanied by a
corresponding phase shift when compared to the amplitude and phase
input to the transducer (Figure 6). Since both of these conditions will
quickly introduce significant errors in both amplitude and phase to the
measurement, operation outside the transducer linear range is
Mounting considerations
Mounting methods and location can often have an enormous effect on
transducer response throughout its operating range. Refer to the
transducer installation section for further details.

Typical Amplitude vs Frequency Response
RESONANCE
FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY
SYSTEM
ACCELEROMETER

Figure 6
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undesirable. Accelerometers are chosen for application where the
operating range is well below the transducers resonant frequency but
above its lower limit of operation.

Both the lower and upper limits of the accelerometer operating range are
commonly defined as the frequencies where the amplitude/frequency
performance curves exceeds a certain deviation from linear response.
The limits for the standard (23732) accelerometer are 3 dB (30%) for
a range of operation from 10 Hz to 20 kHz or .5 dB (5%) for a range
of operation from 30 Hz to 10 kHz.

The upper end of the transducers operating range will, as with other
transducers, be affected by the capacitance of the cable, i.e. its total
length from transducer to monitor.

C. Advantages and Disadvantages

There are both advantages and disadvantages when the accelerometer is
compared to a velocity Seismoprobe or displacement transducer.

1. Advantages

a. Extended Range - the accelerometer allows for a much broader
frequency measuring range than any of the other transducer types. It
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has an operating range from 10 Hz up to 30 KHz compared to only
270 Hz to 1000 Hz for the Seismoprobe velocity transducer.

b. Available for extended temperature ranges.

c. Simple external installation. (See transducer section for more
information)

d. Good for high frequency casing measurements.

e. Increased ruggedness from that of the Seismoprobe

transducer.
Because of the solid-state nature of its design (no springs or bobbin),
the accelerometer can be expected to have a more extended operating
life than the Seismoprobe.

2. Disadvantages

a. Wide frequency range makes the accelerometer more susceptible
to noise and spurious vibration sources.

b. Difficult calibration check; requires special equipment.

c. Often requires filtering in monitor.

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d. Vibration information is not direct shaft information. This is
because the transducer is externally mounted and measures vibration
from the casing.

e. Poor response at low frequencies.


III. The Velomitor



A. The Velomitor

Piezovelocity sensor (Figure
7) has incorporated the
accelerometer transducer
system design with an
integrator circuit in order to
provide velocity information
for bearing housing
applications. Although similar in size and appearance to an accelerometer
transducer, the design of the Velomitor

incorporates nearly all of the

necessary electronics within the housing of the transducer. In other words,
no interface module is necessary to properly link with the monitor. Only a
constant current source (level=.002 mA) is required to provide the
Velomitor with a constant input current to the sensor.


Figure 7
Accelerometer and Velomitor

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Rev C 128122
The basic construction and theory of operation of the Velomitor is the same
as that for the accelerometer. The
output signal is developed from a
charge induced on a piezoelectric
crystal, amplified and then
integrated to provide velocity
information to the monitor with an
output sensitivity of 100 mV/in/s.

Because of the integration process
used in the Velomitor, a significant
phase error will be introduced to the signal at the low end of the
transducers operating range (Figure 8). This is due to the integration of the
noise portion of the signal which is present at lower frequencies.

B. Advantages and Disadvantages
There are both advantages and disadvantages to the Velomitor design when
compared to a velocity Seismoprobe.

1. Advantages

a. Its extended range. The Velomitor has an operating range from 10
Hz to 5000 Hz compared to only 270 Hz to 1000 Hz for the
Seismoprobe velocity transducer.

Frequency (Hz)
Typical Phase Shift Between Output
and Vibration
Typical Phase Response
(at Low End of Operating Range)

Figure 8
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b. Increased ruggedness - similar to that of the accelerometer.

c. Ruggedness or stiffness of design also makes the Velomitor
much less susceptible to cross axis vibration.

d. Containing the integral electronics in the transducer means that the
noise created in signal transfer through the extension cable will not be
amplified as is the case with the accelerometers interface module.

2. Disadvantages

a. The integral electronics of the Velomitor is susceptible to
temperature variations or transients. Care must be given to strictly
maintaining the transducer within thermal specifications for
operation.

b. Inherent presence of noise from signal amplification (creates a
signal output even when no input is present).

C. The part numbering scheme for the Velomitor Piezo-velocity transducer
follows the general form:





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MODEL NUMBER-A-B
Where:
MODEL # = Velomitor model number
A = transducer mounting adapter option
B = Agency approval option

Example 1: 330500-03-00
330500 = Velomitor model number
30 = with -28 UNF threaded mounting stud
00 = No agency approval required

Example 2: 330500-02-02
330500 = Velomitor model number
02 = M8 X 1 threaded mounting stud
02 = BASEEFA agency approval

The part numbering scheme for the Velomitor

cable follows the general

form:
MODEL NUMBER-A
Where MODEL NUMBER = acceleration transducer model number
A = Cable length option (min. 3 feet max 99 feet)

Example 1: 85661-36
85661 = 22 AWG armored, 2 conductor cable
36 = 36 feet long
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Application Exercise


1. Why is the design of the accelerometer and Velomitor transducer systems
considered to be similar?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Why is the interface module a necessary part of the acceleration transducer
system?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. What are the interface modules (5) principle functions?

1.__________________________________________________________
2.__________________________________________________________
3.__________________________________________________________
4.__________________________________________________________
5.__________________________________________________________

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4. What are some of the differences between the accelerometer and Velomitor?

a) the signal output units of measure:
___________________________________________________________
b) Location of electronics components:
___________________________________________________________

5. What two cable designs are used to connect accelerometer transducers to the
interface module?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

6. What component of the displacement transducer system is the standard (and
high frequency) interface module very similar in appearance to? Is this the case
for all other acceleration transducer models?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

7. Which transducer system has been specified without an interface module?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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8. What maximum capacitive load from the interface cable is allowable without
signal degradation (reduction of the transducers sensitivity range) for the high
frequency accelerometer?
________________________________________________________________

9. Name 2 advantages that the Velomitor transducer design has over the
Seismoprobe design. Name 2 disadvantages.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1.________________________ 1.______________________
2.________________________ 2.______________________