Streamlining Data Handling in Naval Defence

Stealth is vital for maritime defence company DCNS and - consequently - they have to measure and process a huge amount of sound and vibration data.

PULSE Measurement and Analysis

Time is always a pressing factor, especially during costly sea trials, so the company format tests for easy use by operators, who are unfamiliar with Brüel & Kjær’ PULSE system, designing customised GUIs for specific applications. The PULSE measurement and analysis platform - and PULSE Data Manager - have revolutionised the speed and ease with which they can perform tests - and share and compare data across the entire organisation.

The critical stealth of submarines can be compromised easily with noise, making it vitally important to understand any problems early in the design stage, rather than when at sea. New equipment such as fans, pumps, superchargers and motors must be vetted by a team of technicians and engineers. The vibration and acoustic signatures of this machinery is measured and analysed according to in-house standards and matched up to stringent acceptance limits, that ensure the repeatability of measurements and thus reliable accept/reject criteria.

DCNS uses PULSE for acceptance testing of electro-mechanical equipment and for vibro/acoustic control of on-board systems. Sound and vibration assessment covers sound intensity, vibration, underwater acoustics, modal analysis, sound power and mobility. These measurements are performed throughout the organisation, which totals over 13,000 employees worldwide and at many different sites including Brest, Lorient, Nantes-Indret, Toulon and Cherbourg.

In an organisation like DCNS, with its diverse needs and expectations, the PULSE platform is expected to play many different roles. Different operations use PULSE for vastly different applications such as acceptance testing, design, R&D, maintenance and troubleshooting. Measurements for sound intensity, underwater acoustics, radiated noise, vibration analysis, machine diagnostics and modal analysis are collected, processed, analysed, stored and managed by the PULSE platform.

The full case study is available to read on: www.bksv.com