US 6,297,742 B1 · Machine monitor with status indicator

Abstract

A monitor attaches to a machine or proximate a machine to determine the health and operating status of the machine. The monitor is preferably self-contained, having its own internal power source, electronics, and sensor suite. One or more sensors are provided to sense machine operating characteristics such as temperature, flux, and vibration. Sensor outputs are processed and analyzed by monitor electronics to determine various operating parameters, including machine speed and load, and to determine when an anomalous machine operating condition is present. Monitor electronics are operable to transform time domain data generated by the sensors to frequency domain data for storage and/or analysis. A communications port enables a peripheral device, such as a notebook computer or portable data collector, to communicate with the monitor and download stored data. Downloaded data can be further analyzed and statistically compared to trend data at a base computer to further ascertain the health and condition of the machine.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A monitor for being placed in sensory contact with a machine for monitoring the operation of the machine and producing an operation history, said monitor comprising:

a structural enclosure;
an engagement surface formed on said enclosure;
a fastener for attaching said engagement surface to a mount proximate said machine so that said engagement surface is in sensory contact with the machine;
a power supply for supplying electrical power to the monitor;
a sensor disposed in said enclosure for sensing an operating parameter of the machine and producing sensor signals representative of the operating parameter that was sensed;
a signal processor disposed in said enclosure for receiving, processing, and analyzing said sensor signals to produce sensor data corresponding to the operating status of the machine, and producing an alarm signal when the analysis of said sensor signals indicates the existence of an anomalous machine condition;
an indicator for receiving alarm signals and producing a humanly perceivable indication of an anomalous machine condition when an alarm signal is received;
and
memory for storing sensor data, said stored sensor data corresponding to the operation history of the machine.

6 more elements

A machine fault detection and indicator system for monitoring the operating condition of a plurality of machines and indicating to personnel when one or more anomalous machine conditions are detected, the system comprising:

for each of said plurality of machines, at least one monitor permanently attached to the machine for sensing and analyzing an operating characteristic of the machine, producing an alarm signal when an anomalous machine operating characteristic is sensed, and producing a humanly perceivable indication of an anomalous condition when an alarm signal is produced, said at least one monitor including;
a housing;
a fastener for attaching said housing to the exterior surface of a machine;
a sensor disposed within said housing for sensing an operating characteristic of the machine and producing sensor signals representative of the operating characteristic that was sensed;
a signal processor disposed in said housing for receiving, processing, and analyzing said sensor signals to determine the operating status of the machine, and producing an alarm signal when the analysis of said sensor signals indicates the existence of an anomalous machine condition;
and
an indicator for receiving alarm signals and producing a humanly perceivable indication of an anomalous machine condition when an alarm signal is received;
and
a peripheral device for obtaining machine operating data from a monitor when an anomalous machine condition is indicated.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machine monitor with status indicator

Life of this patent

Machine monitor with status indicator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20