Leakage Flow Detection in a Fluid Power Speed Control System Using a Personal-Computer-Based Condition Monitoring Package

A relatively low-cost personal-computer-based system is used to condition monitor a servo-valve-motor speed control system. Line pressures-flowrates together with motor torque-speed are monitored via 12 bit analogue to digital converters, and a set of performance characteristics are transformed into a mathematical model for the system in its run-in condition. Leakage flows are then introduced from each line, to simulate the onset of failure, and across the lines to simulate motor cross-port leakage deterioration. A graphics and software package is then developed and used to indicate which of the faults is occurring.