Airborne Ultrasound

All operating machinery and piping systems emit standard sonic signatures. When a machine enters the initial failure mode or a pipe begins to leak, the sonic signature changes. These changes often go unnoticed until it is too late, an oversight that usually results in excessive maintenance costs, excessive energy costs and reduced plant quality.

Instruments based on airborne ultrasonic technology offer an ideal solution to the problem of leak detection. Leakage in systems ranging from vacuum lines to plant air lines often goes undetected simply because plant noise may mask the sound of the leak. Airborne ultrasonic instrumentation is sensitive to a range of ultrasound (usually 20 kHz to 100 kHz) that is above the range of human hearing and is unaffected by normal plant noise.

Ultrasound is effective in locating and diagnosing mechanical and electrical problems. It is useful in spotting bearing failure as well as electrical corona, tracking and arcing. In addition, it is effective in detecting internal leakage in steam traps and valves.