Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Technique for modal data acquisition in remote locations using hand portable instrumentation

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5235590

A method for collecting analog modal test data using hand portable, battery powered equipment has repeatedly proven to be very successful during the past two years at the various Department of Energy projects and facilities. Modal data is collected through the utilization of an impulse hammer and accelerometers (with battery powered charge or voltage amplifiers) directly onto a lightweight, battery powered instrumentation tape recorder. A small storage oscilloscope is used to ensure that the data being collected is within the dynamic range of the recorder. The recorded test data is then taken to a laboratory and entered into a modal analyzer. Amplitude differences of less than five percent were demonstrated in laboratory comparisons with standard data collection methods. All instrumentation is calibrated using NBS traceable standards. A total weight of the equipment is less than forty pounds which allows the collection of modal data at remote locations. Examples are given to show typical test setups and data taking practices that mitigate problems with dynamic range, distortion and extraneous noise.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5235590
Report Number(s):
K/D-5439; CONF-830253-1; ON: DE84005755
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

A scanning laser Doppler vibrometer for modal testing
Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · International Journal of Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis; (USA) · OSTI ID:6328412

Modal analysis of PATHFINDER unmanned air vehicle
Conference · Wed Oct 19 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · OSTI ID:79902

Modal testing using a full instrumentation technique
Conference · Sun Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1993 · OSTI ID:10142190