System and method for determining degradation of rotating coupling using rotation sensors
AssigneeNovity, Inc.
InventorsSerdar Uckun, Kai F. Goebel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method utilize a first rotation sensor that provides a first signal indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling. The rotating coupling has an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end. A second rotation sensor provides a second signal indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling. A processor is coupled to the first and second rotation sensors and is operable to determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals. Based on the relationship, the processor estimates at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a first rotation sensor that provides a first signal indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling, the rotating coupling having an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end;
- a second rotation sensor that provides a second signal indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling;
- and
- a processor coupled to the first and second rotation sensors and operable to:
- determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals, wherein determining the relationship includes measuring one or more of windup, inertia, and backlash based on the first and second signals;
- and
- based on the relationship, estimate at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.
A method comprising:
- receiving a first signal from a first rotation sensor that is indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling, the rotating coupling having an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end;
- receiving a second signal from a second rotation sensor that is indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling;
- determining a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals, wherein determining the relationship includes measuring one or more of windup, inertia, and backlash based on the first and second signals;
- and
- based on the relationship, estimate at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.
A system, comprising:
- a flexible coupling having a flexible articulating member mechanically coupling a first end to a second end;
- first and second fiducial markers affixed proximate the first and second ends;
- one or more rotation sensors that provide first and second signals indicative of first and second rotations of the first and second ends based on the first and second fiducial markers;
- and
- a processor coupled to the rotation sensors and operable to:
- determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals, wherein determining the relationship includes measuring one or more of windup, inertia, and backlash based on the first and second signals;
- and
- based on the relationship, estimate at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the flexible coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.