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US 5,796,349 AGranted
System and method for monitoring wear of an axial bearing
AssigneeAnsimag Inc.
InventorManfred P. Klein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The axial bearing includes a first ring and a second ring. During operation of the axial bearing, the first ring rotates with respect to the second ring. Over time the foregoing rotation produces wear of the first ring; consequently, exposes layers of the first ring to the second ring. The different layers of the first ring produce variations in the coefficient of friction within the axial bearing. If the axial bearing is associated with a drive motor, then the variations in the coefficient of friction change the load on the drive motor. The change in load upon the drive motor may be monitored to indicate axial bearing wear or the need for axial bearing replacement.
Claims26
A system for monitoring the wear of an axial bearing, the system comprising:
- a pump incorporating the axial bearing, the pump having a shaft, the axial bearing having frictional means for changing the coefficient of friction of said axial bearing over its lifetime, said frictional means including a wearing layer covering a frictional layer, the wearing layer eventually being depleted during extended operation of the pump to partially or completely expose the frictional layer;
- a drive motor coupled to said shaft;
- and
- load detection means for detecting load changes in a load placed upon the drive motor;
- said load detection means comprising an energy monitor;
- said energy monitor measuring a first electrical energy consumption of the drive motor if the wearing layer is exposed;
- said energy monitor measuring a second electrical energy consumption of the drive motor if the frictional layer is exposed;
- the energy monitor being responsive to a differential increase in the energy consumption of the drive motor from the first electrical energy consumption to the second electrical energy consumption.
5 more elements
A system for monitoring the wear of an axial bearing, the system comprising:
- a pump incorporating the axial bearing, the pump having a shaft, the axial bearing having frictional means for changing the coefficient of friction of said axial bearing over its lifetime, wherein said frictional means including a wearing layer covering a frictional layer, the wearing layer eventually being depleted during extended operation of the pump to partially or completely expose the frictional layer;
- a drive motor coupled to said shaft;
- and
- an energy source coupled to the drive motor via at least one conductor, the energy source providing electrical energy for the drive motor;
- load detection means for detecting load changes in a load placed upon the drive motor, said load detection means comprising an energy monitor, the energy monitor electrically or electromagnetically coupled to the drive motor and the energy source, the energy monitor providing a switch responsive to a monitored energy level that equals or exceeds a predetermined maximum energy level being supplied to the drive motor by the energy source,
- the energy monitor including a transformer, a transimpedance amplifier, a rectifier, a comparator, and a relay circuit,
- a secondary of the transformer electromagnetically coupled to said conductor;
- an input of the transimpedance amplifier coupled to said transformer;
- an output of the transimpedance amplifier connected to the rectifier;
- a measuring input of the comparator coupled to the rectifier, a reference input of the comparator connected to a voltage reference source;
- and
- an output of the comparator coupled to the relay circuit.
9 more elements
A system for monitoring the wear of an axial bearing, the system comprising:
- a pump incorporating the axial bearing, the pump having a shaft, the axial bearing having frictional means for changing the coefficient of friction of said axial bearing over its lifetime, wherein said frictional means including a wearing layer covering a frictional layer, the wearing layer eventually being depleted during extended operation of the pump to partially or completely expose the frictional layer;
- a drive motor coupled to said shaft, and
- load detection means for detecting load changes in a load placed upon the drive motor, the load detection means comprising a winding temperature monitor, the winding temperature monitor coupled in thermal communication to a winding of said drive motor;
- the winding temperature monitor having a thermistor, an operational amplifier, and a comparator;
- the thermistor connected to an input of the operational amplifier, an output of the operational amplifier coupled to the comparator, an output of the comparator indicative of a predetermined maximum temperature of the winding.
2 more elements
A system for monitoring the wear of an axial bearing, the system comprising:
- a pump incorporating the axial bearing, the pump having a shaft the axial bearing having frictional means for changing the coefficient of friction of said axial bearing over its lifetime, wherein said frictional means including a wearing layer covering a frictional layer, the wearing layer eventually being depleted during extended operation of the pump to partially or completely expose the frictional layer;
- a drive motor coupled to said shaft;
- and
- load detection means for detecting load changes in a load placed upon the drive motor, the load detection means comprising a winding temperature monitor, the winding temperature monitor coupled in thermal communication to a winding of said drive motor;
- the winding temperature monitor having a temperature sensing circuit connected to a comparator, an output of the comparator indicating an overheating of said winding.
2 more elements
A method of monitoring the wear of an axial bearing incorporated into a centrifugal pump being driven by a drive motor, the axial bearing having a first bearing member and a second bearing member, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) installing the axial bearing in the centrifugal pump, the first bearing member including a wearing layer disposed on the exterior of the first bearing member and a frictional layer disposed in the interior of the first bearing member;
- b) rotating the first bearing member with respect to the second bearing member, subsequent to the installation in the step a, while operating said centrifugal pump;
- c) producing increased friction between the first bearing member and the second bearing member when the rotating in the step b substantially wears away the wearing layer to expose the frictional layer;
- d) monitoring the changes in a load placed upon the drive motor by the increased friction produced in the step c to determine if the axial bearing requires replacement.
1 more element
A system for monitoring the wear of an axial bearing, the system comprising:
- a pump incorporating the axial bearing, the pump having a shaft, said axial bearing including a first member and a second member;
- the axial bearing changing the coefficient of friction of the first member with respect to the second member during a lifetime of said axial bearing, the first member having a wearing layer covering a frictional layer, the wearing layer eventually being depleted during extended operation of the pump to partially or completely expose the frictional layer to the second member;
- a drive motor coupled to said shaft;
- and
- load detection means for detecting load changes in a load placed upon the drive motor, said load detection means comprising heat sensing means for sensing an increase in heat associated with the drive motor after the frictional layer is exposed.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.