IHTIR spoke to Prof. Sher during a demonstration of his "engine diagnostic kit" at an Israeli Naval base in
Haifa. " We have already sold a number of sytems to the Israel Air Force and the Intelligence Corps. We
also modified our basic system to be used in examining of drone engines". (drones are small planes
generally known Remotely Piloted Vehicles ) They are operated from remote control stations and are used
to record real time pictures of the terrain over which they fly. The Israel High-Tech & Investment Report has
reported on the developments of the Israeli produced drones since their outstanding success in
pinpointing the location of Syrian SAM missiles in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The information gathered
by the drones led to the destruction of these menacing missiles.
"The system is both simple in appearance and in operation, as it consists of two sensors which are
connected to a laptop. The algorithm, for which patents are pending and for which we expect to get
approval, is a key element in providing the system with its ability to record engine vibrations and analyze
its operational qualities," explains Prof. Sher .
The project, is a classic transfer from academia to the commercial world. It was developed under the
auspices B.G. Negev Technologies, the applications arm branch of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
The key researchers behind the development ol the innovative system are Prof. Eran Sher, Chairman of
the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, along with Dr. Gal deBotton, a departmental
colleague. Two years ago the project was moved into the Ofakim Technological Incubator and it will be
graduating shortly from there, to begin its operation as a commercial concern. Financing came from local
and European investors.
"Just as a doctor uses a stethoscope to diagnose the condition of the heart and lungs by merely
listening," explains Sher, "deBotton and I have found a way to rigorously evaluate the 'health' of engine
components by 'listening' to motor vibrations via sensors connected to a specially programmed
microcomputer.
"Our project is the first to overcome the problems associated with vibrational analysis of internal
combustion engines - the background noise of combustion and the uneven rotary motion deriving from
nonuniform cylinder power. Vibrational analysis enables determination of cylinder imbalance,
identification of faulty fuel injectors, bearings, rings, or valves and even problems with the engine
mounting and crankshaft."
"An analysis of vibrations," explained Prof. Sher, "is a system of locating malfunctions, that is becoming
accepted around the world. The system is used primarily in jet engines and expensive factory equipment,
in the context of what is called "predicted maintenance," as distinguished from preventive and breakdown
maintenance. In addition, the uniqueness of our product lies in the fact that this is the first time that a
system has been developed to diagnose the mechanical condition for identifying anticipated
malfunctions in piston engines."
As steps are being taken towards commercialization of the first system, Prof. Sher is continuing towards
developing applications for eighteen cylinder diesel engines.
An advanced yet simple to operate analytical system for diagnosing the mechanical working condition of
piston engines, has drawn the attention of the Ford Motor Co. Ford, which sells cars and trucks and in
2001, sold approximately seven million vehicles throughout the world, may invest $1.0 million in the
project. What interests Ford, was that the system developed by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of
the Negev, had already met the strict and demanding requirements of the Israel Air Force and Intelligence
services. The system, even before its use, has become known widely, and has been labeled as a
technological breakthrough. It offers a solution to several industries, and could become a niche product
in the accurate diagnosis of the mechanical condition of piston engines. The vision is to implement this
technology across a wide range of applications. Its appeal is clear when comparing other cost effective
maintenance programs for engines, in land, air and seaborne vehicles.