Smart" Machinery Spaces"

This proposal provides an architecture for condition-based maintenance hardware/software that will serve the Navy well for decades. The three hardware items are smart Sensor Nodes that can sense multivariate processes (switch positions, tank levels,pressure, flow rates, etc.) from legacy sensing elements already installed in naval equipment. The Sensor Nodes can also measure vibration of critical elements such as machinery bearings as well as temperature. Vibration data is preprocessed in the SensorNodes, transmitted over a wireless Bluetooth network to a Supervisory Master device, and processed the data into actionable information for the ship's officers. An Access Point converts the Bluetooth protocols into IEEE Std-802.11 RF signals and TCP/IPprotocols for LAN distribution.The software consists of proven COTS routines to provide the data products such as accurate indication of remaining useful life (RUL). Concepts for power scavenging and power saving methods are presented. No single outage of a node or network willcompromise the ability of the sensor system to provide information on the state of the bearing. This proposal is results of the best ideas from a leading vibration instrumentation manufacturer, a world-class software provider, and a major presence in thedesign and fabrication of naval vessels. Bearing failures are a major source of downtime and lost revenue in the commercial sector or reduced military effectiveness for the Department of Defense. With the proposed architecture, the unscheduled replacement of bearings could become a thing of thepast. The system would be affordable since the Sensor Nodes can be produced in quantity for a small fraction of what bearing failures cost. The Access Points and Supervisory Masters are essentially commercial items tailored to the needs of equipmentmonitoring.Wilcoxon Research is one of the leading producers of condition-based maintenance (CBM) sensors and related equipment, worldwide. Success with this proposal will result in savings for the Department of Defense as well as a new line of affordable advancedCBM technology for industry. The