Method and system for non-invasive vibration-based condition monitoring of a machine

A system for non-invasive vibration-based condition monitoring of a machine placed on a physical frame of reference, said machine comprising an attached magnet or a magnetic part, the system comprising:

• a time-domain wideband magnetoresistive sensor having a sensor transfer function of electric resistance versus magnetic field intensity, wherein the broadband magnetoresistive sensor has a broadband response that includes 0 Hz or a DC component, said machine comprising an attached magnet or a magnetic part, wherein the magnet is previously attached on an exterior surface of the machine or to a machine frame or to an internal part of the machine, for placing on said physical frame of reference, externally and mechanically uncoupled from said machine, at a distance from the machine and at a reference distance from the magnet or magnetic part, wherein the magnetoresistive sensor is operating in a dynamic part of the sensor transfer function in respect of the magnetic field produced by the magnet or a magnetic part;
• and
• an electronic data processor configured for:
• capturing a time-domain magnetic field signal transduced by the sensor including a broadband response that includes 0 Hz or a DC component;
• and
• processing the captured signal to obtain a vibration-based indicator of the machine's condition.

A method for using a time-domain wideband magnetoresistive sensor having a sensor transfer function of electric resistance versus magnetic field intensity, for non-invasive vibration-based condition monitoring of a machine placed on a physical frame of reference, said machine comprising an attached magnet or a magnetic part, wherein the magnet is previously attached on an exterior surface of the machine or a machine frame or to an internal part of the machine, wherein the broadband magnetoresistive sensor has a broadband response that includes 0 Hz or a DC component, said method comprising:

• placing the magnetic sensor on said physical frame of reference, externally and mechanically uncoupled from said machine, at a distance from the machine and at a predetermined distance from the magnet or magnetic part, such that the magnetoresistive sensor is operating in a dynamic part of the sensor transfer function in respect of the magnetic field produced by the magnet or a magnetic part;
• capturing a time-domain magnetic field signal transduced by the sensor, including a broadband response that includes 0 Hz or a DC component;
• and
• using an electronic data processor to process the captured signal to obtain a vibration-based indicator of the machine's condition.