Estimation of differences in selected indices of vibroacoustic signals between healthy and osteoarthritic patellofemoral joints as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool

Osteoarthritis (OA) is currently the most generic form of joint disease. It is a complex process in which degenerative changes occur in the articular cartilage [AC], subchondral bone, and synovial membrane and can lead to permanent joint failure. The primary and most commonly used method of diagnosing degenerative changes is classic radiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to assess the extent of damage to joint surfaces, but this method is limited by the availability of specialised equipment and the excessive cost of the examination. Arthroscopy, an invasive procedure, is considered the “gold standard” in joint diagnosis. The occurrence of degenerative changes is closely related to the friction and lubrication processes within the joint. The main causes of osteoarthritis are a change or lack of synovial fluid, deformation of the joint bones, local damage to the articular cartilage, and a change in the mechanical properties of the articular cartilage due to water loss from the damaged superficial layer. An alternative, non-invasive method that allows for a delicate assessment of the condition of moving joints is vibroarthrography (VAG). The analysis of vibroacoustic signals generated by moving joint surfaces has an immense potential in the non-invasive assessment of the degree of damage to articular cartilage, meniscus and ligaments and the general diagnosis of degenerative diseases. The purpose of this study is to analyse and statistically compare the basic characteristics of vibroacoustic signals recorded with a CM-01B contact microphone placed on the patella for motion in the 90°–0°–90° range in a closed kinetic chain (CKC) in a control group (HC) and a group of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA), qualified for the knee alloplasty.

Analysis of differences in vibroacoustic signals between healthy and osteoarthritic knees using EMD algorithm and statistical analysis

The knee joint is the largest and one of the most vulnerable and most frequently damaged joints in the human body. It is characterized by a complex structure. All articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage. This cartilage has minimal regenerative capacity. Under the influence of cyclical micro-injuries, inflammatory mediators, prolonged excessive pressure or immobility, and thus disturbance of tissue nutrition, the cartilage becomes susceptible to damage and is easily covered with villi, cracks and abrasion. As a result, this translates into changes in the friction and lubrication processes within the joint and may affect the generated vibroacoustic processes. In this study, the signals recorded in a group of 28 volunteers were analysed, 15 of them were healthy people (HC) and 13 were people diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) qualified for surgery. The study aims to check the usefulness of the EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposition) algorithm in the filtration procedures of vibroacoustic signals. This algorithm is most often used in the analysis of signals that are most often nonlinear and non-stationary. Selected statistical indicators, such as RMS, VMS, variance and energy, were determined for the signals constituting the sum of the IMFs (Intrinsic Mode Functions) 1-8, having a normal distribution in the assessment of damage to the articular cartilage of the knee joint. Statistical analysis was performed for the values of individual indicators obtained. The vibroacoustic signals were recorded using CM-01B contact microphones placed in the central part of the medial and lateral joint fissure for movement in the range of 90°–0°–90° in closed kinetic chains (CKC) in the control group (HC) and the group of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).

Evaluation of Wear of Disc Brake Friction Linings and the Variability of the Friction Coefficient on the Basis of Vibroacoustic Signals

The article presents the results of friction and vibroacoustic tests of a railway disc brake carried out on a brake stand. The vibration signal generated by the friction linings provides information on their wear and offers evaluation of the braking process, i.e., changes in the average friction coefficient. The algorithm presents simple regression linear and non-linear models for the thickness of the friction linings and the average coefficient of friction based on the effective value of vibration acceleration. The vibration acceleration signals were analyzed in the amplitude and frequency domains. In both cases, satisfactory values of the dynamics of changes above 6 dB were obtained. In the case of spectral analysis using a mid-band filter, more accurate models of the friction lining thickness and the average coefficient of friction were obtained. However, the spectral analysis does not allow the estimation of the lining thickness and the friction coefficient at low braking speeds, i.e., 50 and 80 km/h. The analysis of amplitudes leads to the determination of models in the entire braking speed range from 50 to 200 km/h, despite the lower accuracy compared to the model, based on the spectral analysis. The vibroacoustic literature presents methods of diagnosis of the wear of various machine elements such as bearings or friction linings, based on amplitude or frequency analysis of vibrations. These signal analysis methods have their limitations with regard to their scope of use and the accuracy of diagnosis. There are no cases of simultaneous use of different methods of analysis. This article presents the simultaneous application of the amplitude and frequency methods in the analysis of vibroacoustic signals generated by brake linings. Moreover, algorithms for assessing the wear of friction linings and the average coefficient of friction were presented. The algorithm enables determination of the time at which the friction linings should be replaced with new ones. The final algorithm analyzes the vibration acceleration signals using both amplitude analysis for low braking speeds, as well as spectral analysis for medium and high braking speeds.

Фізичне моделювання та діагностика попадання сторонніх предметів в обертову систему

The paper analyzes the vibroacoustic signals obtained by physical modeling of the rotating system, for example, an aircraft gas turbine engine, in the conditions of steady-state and non-steady-state modes. An air starter (supercharger) is used as a physical model of a rotating system, which is driven by a DC motor. The measuring system uses a dynamic microphone with an amplifier, a tachometer, a two-channel digital oscilloscope, a personal computer with technological and special software. The simulation of the ingress of foreign objects into the rotating system is performed by throwing paper balls during the rotation. The multilevel processing based on sequential application of methods of frequency-time analysis, multispectral analysis, and fractal analysis is proposed and substantiated for processing of measured vibroacoustic signals. The results of the frequency-time analysis showed that at the time of throwing the balls the intensity of the components at higher frequencies increases. For fragments of signal realization without throwing and with the throwing of balls the multispectral analysis is carried out and estimates of the bispectrum modulus are received in the form of contour images. At the third level of signal processing, the Minkowski dimension of the contour images of the bispectrum module estimates is determined. The Minkowski dimension is an integral quantitative indicator of the geometry of isolines and differs in value for the selected fragments of the vibroacoustic signal. So it can be used as a diagnostic sign of a foreign object entering the rotating system at the final level of processing. The obtained results can be used to improve the systems of condition monitoring of complex rotating systems, increase sensitivity, expand functionality and provide multi-class diagnostics in the event of damage and violation of normal operating modes

The Inquiline Ant Myrmica karavajevi Uses Both Chemical and Vibroacoustic Deception Mechanisms to Integrate into Its Host Colonies

Social parasitism represents a particular type of agonistic interaction in which a parasite exploits an entire society instead of a single organism. One fascinating form of social parasitism in ants is the “inquilinism”, in which a typically worker-less parasitic queen coexists with the resident queen in the host colony and produces sexual offspring. To bypass the recognition system of host colonies, inquilines have evolved a repertoire of deceiving strategies. We tested the level of integration of the inquiline Myrmica karavajevi within the host colonies of M. scabrinodis and we investigated the mechanisms of chemical and vibroacoustic deception used by the parasite. M. karavajevi is integrated into the ant colony to such an extent that, in rescue experiments, the parasite pupae were saved prior to the host’s brood. M. karavajevi gynes perfectly imitated the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of M. scabrinodis queens and the parasite vibroacoustic signals resembled those emitted by the host queens eliciting the same levels of attention in the host workers during playback experiments. Our results suggest that M. karavajevi has evolved ultimate deception strategies to reach the highest social status in the colony hierarchy, encouraging the use of a combined molecular and behavioural approach when studying host–parasite interactions.

The method of fundamental harmonic frequency determination

Analysis of vibroacoustic signals is one of the more frequently used mechanical devices diagnostic methods occurring among others in car diagnostics. Often, it happens that the most important element of the recorded course is the fundamental harmonic frequency of vibrations. Fundamental frequency indicates the main process related to the operation of the device and allows to follow its course. In the article the author's method of determining the fundamental frequency in the signal will be presented which is the subject of a patent application. Its theoretical basis and application examples were discussed comparing the accuracy of its use with the accuracy of other methods. The frequency range where the method finds application is shown. That is, where its accuracy turns out to be better than the accuracy of popular used methods to fundamental harmonic frequency determination.

Assessment of disc brake vibration in rail vehicle operation on the basis of brake stand

The scientific aim of the article is to present the relationship between the vibroacoustic signals of the right and left friction pad during braking, depending on the mass distribution, as an element of the lever system. This article presents the results of tests of a railway disc brake in the scope of vibrations generated by pads in various states of wear located on both sides of the brake disc. The tests were carried out on the brake stand using the vibroacoustic method including the analysis of amplitudes and frequencies and the thermal imaging method. Special attention was paid to the analysis of the classic lever mechanism as a multimass system influencing the thermo-mechanical characteristics and vibrations of the pads on the right and left side of the brake disc. Uneven mass distribution of the system translates into uneven wear of the friction components. The scientific aim of this paper is to present the relation between vibroacoustic signals of the right and left friction pad during braking depending on the mass distribution of the lever system component.

Device for integrated diagnostics of mining machines triboelements

This article presents the results of multiple-conditions wear-resistance tests for the antifriction bearings that are used in a milling tool. The test was performed on a one-fifth milling tool model. The tests were divided into three stages. The first testing stage included tests of a model with a new undamaged bearing. The second stage included tests of a model with a bearing that is worn out by approximately 50%. The third stage included tests of a model with a completely worn out antifriction bearing. Along with vibroacoustic tests, we measured the temperatures of the tested triboelement. In this article, we provide amplitude-frequency values of vibroacoustic signals recorded during the tests of a model with an undamaged antifriction bearing, a bearing with 50% worn-out extent, and 100% worn-out bearing. Appropriate resistance levels of complex machine elements cannot be achieved without systems of triboelements condition control. We suggest attaching temperature and vibroacoustic sensors to the critical elements of a peat winning machine that provide data for integral analysis of triboelemets condition and prevent failures when damage is recorded. Integral analysis of the technical condition of the main triboelements will allow performing the highly precise prognosis of the remaining life of a peat-winning machine, thus preventing failures in peat mining seasons.