Detecting pneumatic actuator leakage using acoustic emission monitoring

This paper focuses on the development of an efficient new diagnostic procedure for checking the function of pneumatic cylinders using acoustic emission. This diagnostic procedure is able to detect distinctive differences that determine whether the cylinder is damaged or undamaged. Moreover, the paper aims to find the diagnostic criteria that can be used to evaluate the pneumatic cylinder and detect defects. In this study, acoustic emission testing of several undamaged cylinders is carried out before artificial defects are created in each one. The signals from the progress and retreat strokes are recorded and analysed according to many parameters. The root mean square is normalised and the different responses of damaged and undamaged pneumatic cylinders are recognised by the time delay of the strokes. The differences are identified by comparing the maximum root mean square from sensor A and the maximum root mean square from sensor B for one cycle in the retreat stroke. The damaged and undamaged cylinders are distinguished using the difference in energy values present in the signals of the two sensors in the retreat stroke. The final evaluation of the cylinder is determined by calculating the total value of the root mean square. This paper is a continuation of a prior article and the extension of that work.