Delphin DAQ System Performs Fault Diagnosis Test on a CT Scanner

CAS DataLoggers Engineer Terry Nagy Solves a Unique Problem

CAS DataLoggers Engineer Terry Nagy worked on a uniquely challenging data acquisition application a few years ago which highlights the usefulness of Delphin data loggers, in this case it performs a fault diagnosis test on a CT scanner. A medical equipment manufacturer had a customer in a hospital that was experiencing problems with a CT scan machine. The machine would reset in the middle of the procedure, which cost significant time as patients often had to be scanned again. The hospital’s other models from the same source were all functioning properly so the staff wanted to return this faulty scanner to the manufacturer. The manufacturer suspected nothing was actually wrong with it. Terry explains, “A given manufacturer can build a hundred of these and one will act weird for seemingly no reason–that’s just how it is. The cause isn’t always clear since there are multiple processors and interconnected systems on this single piece of equipment.”

Installation

CAS DataLoggers supplied the manufacturer with a Delphin LogMessage 5000 Data Acquisition System which was mounted onto the machine’s rotating scanner. Delphin LogMessage devices are specifically designed as universal data loggers, performing data acquisition using 8 differential analog inputs recording mV, mA, and thermocouple signals, with galvanic isolation of up to 100 VDC to minimize signal noise.

The data logger also utilizes 28 high-precision digital inputs with 2 counters for frequency measurements. The Delphin LogMessage system works completely independently as a data logger for acquiring, monitoring, computing and storing measurement data, performing scaling immediately according to the required measurement unit.

Usage

After connecting the Delphin to various circuit boards, Terry began recording the machine’s power supply voltage. The LogMessage captured this data at 10,000 points per second for each of the connected inputs. The system enables users to send their data online to a PC using the LogMessage LAN interface which is galvanically isolated up to 100VDC along with its power supply and all other interfaces. As with all models in the LogMessage series, the LM5000 system includes serial interfaces, an Ethernet interface, and up to 16 GB of local memory.

Professional ProfiSignal Go PC software is used with the LogMessage for measurement analysis of any type of data and online/ offline monitoring and analysis. Only three steps are required to display measurement data as trends/diagrams, to analyze the data, and to evaluate offline data. Data organization and accessibility is simple by exporting as a CSV-file.

After recording data from the fault diagnosis test for about a week, Terry and the manufacturer looked at the collected data and found that one of the connectors on the power supply had a bad crimp on one of the pins. The connection was normally stable but when the machine was in operation, vibration caused the connection to break for a fraction of a second, which reset the machine. In other words, good news–it was an easy fix.

Benefits

The datalogger helped the manufacturer to identify the equipment’s fault quickly and cost-effectively, avoiding the need to scrap a very expensive piece of equipment. In similar fashion, our Delphin DAQ systems are often used in a wide variety of industrial applications such as tests and test stand automation, capturing pressure spikes and other high-speed sampling tasks, PC-independent machine monitoring, fault detection and isolation and temperature data acquisition. Using the software, these advanced systems can be configured to function with any type of sensor. For example, the system’s 8 analog inputs are separately configurable and usable with all thermocouple types for precise temperature measurements. Users can also use a 4-wire connection to connect Pt100 and Pt1000 sensors directly to the LogMessage device for extremely accurate temperature monitoring.

The LogMessage series is available in 9 different models with 8 to 30 analog inputs to suit users’ requirements, and all models are fully protected against earth loops, enabling measurements from non-isolated sources. Any number of alarm and logic channels can be defined for the analog inputs and digital channels. Users who require stronger data security over PC-based solutions can rely on the LogMessage 5000’s standard data storage capacity of up to 250 million measurements, expandable to 1 billion. All data is recorded with a time and date stamp.

Terry Nagy comments on the suitability of the Delphin system for this tricky application: “This was definitely one of the stranger diagnostic calls I’ve had. The LogMessage and ProfiSignal software let us get started measuring immediately at the speeds necessary to flag the problem. It’s a reliable logger that can do standalone operation and the software is easy to learn if you’re new to Delphin.”

For further information on the Delphin LogMessage 5000 Data Acquisition System, fault diagnosis tests, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS Data Logger Application Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit www.dataloggerinc.com.

Computer Aided Solutions, LLC. dba CAS DataLoggers is a distributor of data loggers, paperless recorders and data acquisition equipment.

We have the industry’s most complete selection of data logging equipment, with hundreds of different models from more than 18 manufacturers. With data loggers from 1 to 300 channels we can record temperature, humidity, force/strain, pressure, flow, voltage, current, resistance, vibration and other digital signals, in connection with serial (RS-232/RS-485), CAN/OBD or SDI-12 devices. We sell directly to end users and also work through a network of distributors and resellers throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America.

CAS DataLoggers
8437 Mayfield Rd Unit 104
Chesterland, OH 44026

This release was published on openPR.