Remote Vibration Analysis of vibration test data

As in typical design and development procedures in aerospace, every physical product undergoes testing to determine whether it is fit for purpose.

In this case study, the analysis of a vibration test data is discussed to ascertain the time surpassed before the thrust reverser actuator failed the ABD (abbreviation reference prefix to Airbus testing procedures) test procedure.

The thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS)

The actuator is one of four actuators in the thrust reverser actuation system on a Rolls Royce Trent 1000 and a GEnx engine destined for the A380.

Vibration test setup

The actuator was exposed to a vibration test on an electromechanical shaker; however, after the test, a failure of a component was found during the strip down of the assembly.

Vibration test setup

The manufacturer wanted to know when did the actuator component fail, as the test was 3 hours in all three orthogonal axes?

The vibration test setup included the drive signal accelerometers, that provide feedback to the shaker controller so that the controller adheres to the desired drive signal.

Other accelerometers were mounted on the actuator at different locations to monitor the vibrations experienced by the actuator. It's the data of these accelerometers that were analysed to ascertain when the actuator failed.

During the test, at every 5 minutes, the data of all the accelerometers were recorded.

Vibration analysis of the test data

To ascertain when the actuator started to fail, the data saved at every five minutes were compared to each other until there was a variation in the acceleration levels in any of the accelerometer data.

When the variation was established, it was at that time that the actuator started to fail.

Good practice

When performing a vibration test, always record the vibration test every few minutes, as you then have evidence. Any test data is useful, especially raw data - this will become apparent throughout this website.

Further information

This is an example of the remote vibration analysis service that we can do for you. If you need any assistance with vibration analysis, whether similar to this case study or in vibration condition monitoring, please contact us on 01908 643433.

For more information on vibration analysis, please click here.

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