US 6,138,078 A · Machine monitor with tethered sensors

Abstract

A monitor attaches to a mount proximate a machine to determine the health operating history and operating status of the machine. The monitor is preferably self-contained, having its own internal power source, electronics, and sensor suite. If desired, the monitor may be powered by an external power source. One or more internal sensors disposed in the monitor are provided to sense machine operating parameters such as temperature, flux, and vibration. External sensors tethered to the monitor may be positioned at varying points on and/or in the machine. Monitor electronics process sensor outputs to determine machine operating parameters such as machine speed and load. Monitor electronics are also operable to transform time domain data generated by the sensors to frequency domain data. A communications port enables a peripheral device, such as a notebook computer or a computer network, to communicate with the monitor and download stored data. Downloaded data can be further analyzed and statistically compared with trend data at a base computer to further ascertain the health and condition of the machine.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A monitor that attaches to a mount proximate an electric motor which drives a piece of driven equipment, said monitor for monitoring operation of the motor or the driven equipment, or both, and producing an operation history which includes one or more machine operating parameters, said monitor comprising:

a structural enclosure;
an engagement surface formed on said enclosure;
a fastener for attaching said engagement surface to the mount;
a power supply for supplying electrical power to the monitor;
at least one internal sensor disposed in said structural enclosure for sensing one or more internally sensed operating parameters of the motor and producing internal sensor signals corresponding to the one or more internally sensed operating parameters;
at least one external sensor disposed external to said structural enclosure for sensing one or more externally sensed operating parameters of the motor or the driven equipment, or both, and producing external sensor signals corresponding to the one or more externally sensed operating parameters;
a signal processor disposed in said enclosure for receiving and processing internal and external sensor signals to produce data corresponding to the sensed operating parameters;
memory disposed in said enclosure for storing data corresponding to the sensed operating parameters;
and
a communications port for communicating with a peripheral device.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machine monitor with tethered sensors

Life of this patent

Machine monitor with tethered sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25