Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-05-29
Tong, Nina (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S686100, C340S679000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239713
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a sensor mounting arrangement for use in mounting the moveable part of a position sensor. In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement whereby, upon failure of a component of the arrangement, the sensor can continue to operate and the failure can be sensed.
Where a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) is used to monitor, for example, the position of a piston rod, the moveable part of the LVDT is mounted upon a mounting component which is secured to and moveable with the piston rod. Should the mounting component break, then movement of the piston rod will not be transmitted through the mounting component to the LVDT and so will not be sensed, nor will a signal be produced indicative of the component failure. If the piston rod forms part of an actuator used in a safety critical application, for example in controlling the positions of the flaps or thrust reversers of an aircraft, then the component failure could be dangerous if it remained undetected.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a sensor mounting arrangement wherein the failure of a mounting component can be sensed, and wherein continued operation of the sensor is permitted.
According to the present invention there is provided a sensor mounting arrangement comprising a mounting component arranged, in use, to carry a moveable part of a sensor, the mounting component being coupled through a first load path to a drive component to move with the drive component, wherein the mounting component includes an opening through which the drive component extends, the drive component defining an abutment surface which is spaced from the mounting component in normal use and arranged such that, should the first load path fail, the abutment surface is moveable into engagement with the mounting component to transmit movement of the drive component to the part of the mounting component carrying the moveable part of the sensor through a second load path.
The coupling between the drive component and the mounting component conveniently allows angular movement between the components, but substantially prevents relative axial movement.
The abutment surface may be defined by a surface of a component, for example a lock nut, secured to the drive component.
Preferably, the sensor comprises an LVDT. In such an arrangement, the core of the LVDT may constitute the moveable part carried by the mounting component.
The mounting arrangement may be used to mount a plurality of sensors to monitor the position of or movement of, for example, a piston rod.
The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a sectional view of a mounting arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
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Darby Jonathan Alan
Harvey John Herbert
Hudson Timothy
Lucas Industries Limited
Tong Nina
Wells, St. John, Roberts Gregory & Matkin P.S.
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