Shaft and bearing monitoring

Typically, analog signals from existing sensors for bearings and shaft are copied instead of mounting new sensors.  

X-direction proximity for axle, Y-direction proximity for axle for each bearing, and phase determines perpendicular shaft movements for a rotation. The axle orbit plot for each bearing is an average of shaft movements from 10 rotations.  

Bearing house accelerometers are not necessary for the orbit plots. However, these can further indicate or separate damages / wear on the internal components of the bearing from those caused by imbalances induced by main components such as turbine or generator. 

Z-direction (axial direction) proximity is not necessary for orbit plot. However, this can detect the oil film in the thrust bearing and axial movements due to water hydraulic forces on the runner.  

Thrust bearing oil pressure is not necessary for orbit plot. However, this can act as a second measurement verifying oil film and monitor the performance of the oil pressure system supplying the thrust bearing.