A sensor is disclosed which exchanges with associated data acquisition equipment a digital attribute signal, distinct from its transducer output signal, on the occurrence of a predetermined event. The invention is particularly illustrated with reference to an accelerometer which transmits sensor identification data to associated data acquisition equipment when power is first applied by using the same two signal lines as are used to provide power to the sensor and to convey the sensor output signal to the equipment. After the identification data is transmitted, the apparatus operates as a buffer amplifier to modulate the transducer output signal onto the same two signal lines.
Reporting an attribute of a device via PS/2 protocols to a host executing an industry standard PS/2 port driver that does not include means to recognize the attribute. For example, a wireless mouse reports a battery state and a signal quality state through a standard PS/2 port driver that does not recognize any command or identifier for battery state or signal quality state. The attribute state is encoded in a standard PS/2 data packet. The standard PS/2 data packet is uniquely identified as an attribute packet by encoding data corresponding to highly unlikely mouse movement. A filter driver running on the host activates transmission of the attribute packets by commanding the port driver to issue a unique sequence of standard PS/2 commands, which the mouse system recognizes. The filter driver intercepts incoming PS/2 data packets, recognizes the unlikely data values that identify an attribute packet, and decodes the attribute state.
A microphone power supply for use with precision microphones having an attached pre-amplifier, connects to an analyzer with a coaxial cable and is powered by an ICP current source in the analyzer. The power supply provides a polarization voltage and a pre-amplifier power voltage to a microphone and pre-amplifier assembly. The power supply receives an AC audio signal produced by the microphone, buffers the AC signal, and provides the AC signal to the analyzer through the coaxial cable.
Reporting an attribute of a device via PS/2 protocols to a host executing an industry standard PS/2 port driver that does not include explicitly recognize the attribute. For example, a wireless mouse reports a battery state and a signal quality state through a standard PS/2 port driver that does not recognize any command or identifier for battery state or signal quality state. The attribute state is encoded in a standard PS/2 data packet. The standard PS/2 data packet is uniquely identified as an attribute packet by encoding data corresponding to highly unlikely mouse movement. A filter driver running on the host activates transmission of the attribute packets by commanding the port driver to issue a unique sequence of standard PS/2 commands, which the mouse system recognizes. The filter driver intercepts incoming PS/2 data packets, recognizes the unlikely data values that identify an attribute packet, and decodes the attribute state.
A device for easily installing and removing strain gauge instrumentation and associated wiring on the inside of in-core monitor housings. A vibration sensor is attached to an inside diameter of a cylindrical housing. A signal cable is coupled to the vibration sensor and extends into an exterior of the reactor pressure vessel. A protective assembly minimizes the damage inflicted on the signal cables during handling. The signal cables are helically wound in an annular space between a pair of concentric thin-walled tubes and then passed through cable penetration bores formed in the body of a flange insert. The flange insert supports the concentric tube assembly and is sandwiched between the housing flange and the in-core monitor instrument flange of a conventional in-core monitor assembly.
A portable self-contained data collection system for measuring and collecting vibration data from machines includes an accelerometer which is coupled to the analog input of a data acquisition card. The data acquisition card samples and digitizes the analog signal to produce a time domain digital signal. The data acquisition card output is coupled to a battery-powered portable computer. The battery-powered portable computer includes a database having machine identifications and associated measurement parameters. The portable computer processes the time domain digital signal according to the measurement parameters associated with a selected machine identification, and produces a frequency domain digital signal by performing a Fast Fourier Transform and other digital signal processing operations. The frequency domain signal is also analyzed in the portable computer to produce predictive maintenance information. A power supply for supplying power to the accelerometer is also included. The accelerometer power supply electrically and mechanically couples the accelerometer to the data acquisition card. It supplies power to the accelerometer when the data acquisition card is activated.
