US 11,541,873 B2 · Systems and methods for monitoring degradation associated with mounts for torque-supplying devices

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

via a controller, monitoring an amount of energy generated over a predetermined time frame by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, the energy generated by the energy harvesting module from vibrations applied to the energy harvesting module;
comparing the amount of energy generated to an expected amount of energy generation;
and
indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing.

1 more element

A system comprising:

a torque-supplying machine secured to a frame via one or more vibration mounts, the one or more vibration mounts including one or more mechano-electric conversion modules;
and
a controller with computer readable instructions stored on non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the controller to:
determine an actual amount of energy generated via the one or more mechano-electric conversion modules during a predetermined timeframe;
compare the amount of energy generated to an expected amount of energy predicted to be generated during the same predetermined timeframe;
indicate degradation of the torque-supplying machine and/or the one or more vibration mounts responsive to the actual amount of energy generated during the predetermined timeframe differing from the expected amount of energy predicted to be generated during the same predetermined timeframe by more than a threshold difference;
and
request mitigating action responsive to degradation of the torque-supplying machine and/or the one or more vibration mounts being indicated.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/659,416Filed 21 Oct 2019

Published

US 2021/0114583 A122 Apr 2021

Granted

3 Jan 2023

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B60K 5/1208
Arrangement of engine supports: resilient supports
B60W 20/50
Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles: control strategies for responding to system failures, e.g. for fault diagnosis, failsafe…
B60K 6/22
The prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs: characterised by apparatus, components or means…
B60K 8/00
Arrangement or mounting of propulsion units not provided for in one of

Systems and methods for monitoring degradation associated with mounts for torque-supplying devices

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for monitoring degradation associated with mounts for torque-supplying devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15