SBIR-STTR Award

Present vehicle drive train diagnostics usually require test stands and often component removal, making them very inefficient. On-board vehicle testing can dramatically increase the efficiency of diagnositc data collection and provide more realistic, on-line information. This proposal describes the development of a portable, noncontact, rugged laser diode vibration sensor for on-board vehicle testing of vehicle transmissions and transfer cases. The instrument measures vibrations from 1 Hz to 100,000 Hz and outputs analog signals proportional to the vibration velocity and acceleration. The wide frequency range is particularly important in identifying bearing faults, which sometimes produce vibration spectra in the 50 KHz to 100 KHz range. Adapting such an instrument for vehicle mounting will enable the vibrometer to make "in situ" vibration measurements to determine the gearbox condition without removal and also to study the effects of rough roads on the gearbox.

Present vehicle drive train diagnostic systems usually require test stands and often component removal, making them very inefficient. On-board vehicle testing can dramatically increase the efficiency of diagnostic data collection and provide timely information before the gear box is removed from the vehicle. A current laser vibration inspection system (LVIS) is presently being used to diagnose transmissions and transfer cases. However, these gear boxes must be removed from the vehicle before they can be tested. This proposal describes the development of a lvis which will diagnose gear boxes while they are still mounted on the vehicle. The majority of the effort will be focused on developing a rugged noncontact vibration sensor capable of meeting the LVIS's needs. Adapting such a system for vehicle testing will enable personnel to make "in-situ" vibration measurements to determine gear box condition without removal from the vehicle.