Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS)

Often used to monitor critical helicopter gearboxes, HUMS is also increasingly used to monitor gas turbines – both in helicopters and in certain fixed-wing aircraft. HBK supplies a range of extremely robust and reliable HUMS sensor solutions. 

Health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) are being used more frequently in monitoring critical helicopter gearboxes and also, increasingly, for gas-turbines – both in helicopters and in certain fixed-wing aircraft.

Vibration monitoring is a well-proven method for preventing catastrophic failures of rotating components, with the piezoelectric accelerometer proving to be the best sensor for these applications

HUMS accelerometers typically have very specialized performance and reliability requirements. Strict development and production standards such as AS/EN 9100 and environmental standards, such as DO-160 ‘Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment’ must be adhered to, together with aircraft-specific requirements.