Precision of the IAS monitoring system based on the elapsed time method in the spectral domain

Instantaneous Angular Speed (IAS) has recently appeared as an original and promising tool for monitoring mechanical parts of rotating machines. Mechanisms running under non-stationary conditions, such as wind turbine, are especially suited to this method since the issued signal is intrinsically sampled in the angular domain. Although processing tools are developed to enhance its use in the industry, this method is lacking a proper identification of its limitations and this paper aims at precisely understanding two of its main shortcomings: the aliasing and the quantization phenomena. After having presented the measurement method, both the aliasing and the quantization error are theoretically dissected. Formula is proposed to estimate their influence in the spectral observation of the IAS, and a good signal-to-noise ratio appraisal for this measurement technique is finally obtained. It can eventually be used as a first guide to conveniently design an IAS based control/monitoring system. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.