Final answer:
In Ian Howard's view, a sensor in an industrial fan maintenance system would detect vibration as a key physical change. Vibration monitoring is crucial for assessing a fan's operational health and predicting maintenance needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an industrial fan maintenance system, Ian Howard would suggest a sensor might detect, measure, and transmit data on a physical change such as vibration. Vibration is a critical parameter that can indicate the health and performance of the fan machinery. Anomalies in vibration patterns can signal imbalances, misalignments, or other issues that require maintenance.
This concept is fundamentally related to the operation of systems such as wind turbines, where vibration could affect efficiency and safety. In such systems, sensors are often used to monitor various aspects including vibration, which directly relates to the structural integrity and performance of the blades. For instance, a sensor might detect changes in the blades' velocity or momentum, and given the cubic relationship between the velocity of the wind and the power delivered by the wind turbine (as indicated by the supplied reference), small changes in blade speed can result in significant fluctuations in performance.
The use of sensors to monitor changes in vibration and other critical parameters is essential in ensuring the optimal performance and safety of wind turbines and other industrial fan systems.