Rotor Misalignment Detection using a Wireless Sensor and a Shaft Encoder

Mechanical systems such as motors, pumps, engines, and turbine are all operating based on different shafts. Due to unexpected operating conditions, various faults such as cross-sectional cracks, looseness and misalignment may occur during their service life. This paper presents the analysis of collected signals from a wireless sensor and a shaft encoder and compares their responses under different degrees of shaft misalignment. The results have shown that the wireless sensor outperforms the encoder in detecting small shaft misalignment.