Apparatus and method for measuring accelerating drum

A method of retrofitting a vibratory compactor having a drum with a sensor configured to measure an acceleration of the drum, the vibratory compactor including a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on the frame, a first bearing mounted on the frame, the first bearing including a first bearing inner race that is stationary relative to the drum, and a second bearing mounted inside the drum, the method comprising:

• mounting the sensor to a portion of the second bearing;
• attaching a first end of a strap to the first bearing inner race and a second end of the strap to the portion of the second bearing, wherein the strap is flexible;
• restricting with the strap a rotational movement of the portion of the second bearing;
• and
• placing a communication path between the sensor and a controller mounted on the vibratory compactor.

A vibratory compactor comprising:

• a frame;
• a drum rotatably mounted on the frame, the drum including:
• a shell;
• a mounting wall disposed inside the shell;
• and
• a bulkhead attached to the shell;
• a vibratory motor mounted to the frame;
• a drive shaft operably connected to the vibratory motor, the drive shaft extending through the bulkhead;
• a first bearing disposed between the frame and the mounting wall, the first bearing including:
• a first bearing outer race mounted to the mounting wall and rotatable with the drum;
• and
• a first bearing inner race mounted to the frame, the first bearing inner race stationary with respect to the first bearing outer race;
• a second bearing disposed between the mounting wall and the bulkhead and radially circumscribing the drive shaft, the second bearing comprising:
• a hub;
• and
• a bearing shaft circumscribed by the hub and mounted to the bulkhead of the drum and rotatable with the drum;
• a mounting member fixedly attached to the hub;
• a sensor mounted to the mounting member, the sensor configured to measure an acceleration of the drum;
• and
• a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the first bearing inner race, and the second end attached to the hub, the strap is configured to allow a rotational movement of the hub with respect to the first bearing inner race.