Reverse detection for rotating machinery

Abstract

A rotation sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a single proximity sensor (114) in communication with a controller (116). The proximity sensor (114) can include including a sensor head (120) having a generally planar sensing face (120f) and a sensing element (122) housed within the sensor head (120). The sensing element (122) can be configured to generate a magnetic field (124) in response to receipt of a driving current. The sensor (114) can be further configured to output a signal (302, 402, 608) in response to a predetermined feature of a target (104) rotating through the generated magnetic field (124) and the signal (302, 402, 608) can include a pulse (306, 406, 612) having first and second pulse portions occurring before and after a non-zero peak amplitude. The controller (116) can be configured to receive the signal (302, 402, 608), detect an asymmetry between the first and second portions of the pulse, and determine a rotation direction of the target based upon the detected asymmetry.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.