Rotation angle sensing and advanced diagnostics
AssigneeCaterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
InventorsCarl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drill string rotation angle sensor diagnostic system includes a first rotation angle sensor assembly, a second rotation angle sensor assembly, an operator interface; and a control module. The control module is configured to receive a first signal from the first rotation angle sensor assembly, receive a second signal from the second rotation angle sensor assembly, determine if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal, and indicate a fault on the operator interface if a valid state does not exist.
Claims17
A drill string rotation angle sensor diagnostic system, comprising:
- a first rotation angle sensor assembly comprising a first arc sensor and a first magnet set;
- a second rotation angle sensor assembly comprising a second arc sensor and a second magnet set;
- an operator interface;
- and
- a control module configured to:
- receive a first signal from the first rotation angle sensor assembly,
- receive a second signal from the second rotation angle sensor assembly,
- determine if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal, and
- indicate a fault on the operator interface if a valid state does not exist,
- wherein a valid state exists if:
- the first signal is null and the second signal indicates a value within a non-intersecting range, or
- the first signal indicates a value in an intersecting range, the second signal indicates a value in the intersecting range, and the difference between the two signal values is 90 degrees.
A method of advanced diagnostics for a drill string rotation angle sensing system, comprising:
- receiving a first signal from a first rotation angle sensor assembly comprising a first arc sensor and a first magnet set;
- receiving a second signal from a second rotation angle sensor assembly comprising a second arc sensor and a second magnet set;
- determining if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal;
- and
- indicating a fault on an operator interface if a valid state does not exist
- wherein a valid state exists if:
- the first signal is null and the second signal indicates a value within a non-intersecting range, or
- the first signal indicates a value in an intersecting range, the second signal indicates a value in the intersecting range, and the difference between the two signal values is 90 degrees.
A drilling machine, comprising:
- a frame;
- a mast mounted on the frame;
- a rotary head movably mounted on the mast;
- a drill string coupled to the rotary head and aligned within the mast;
- a first rotation angle sensor assembly monitoring a rotational position of the drill string, the first rotation angle sensor comprising a first arc sensor and a first magnet set;
- a second rotation angle sensor assembly monitoring the rotational position of the drill string, the second rotation angle sensor comprising a second arc sensor and a second magnet set;
- an operator interface;
- and
- a control module configured to:
- receive a first signal from the first rotation angle sensor assembly,
- receive a second signal from the second rotation angle sensor assembly,
- determine if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal, and
- indicate a fault on the operator interface if a valid state does not exist,
- wherein a valid state exists if:
- the first signal is null and the second signal indicates a value within a non-intersecting range, or
- the first signal indicates a value in an intersecting range, the second signal indicates a value in the intersecting range, and the difference between the two signal values is 90 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.