Measuring and testing – Vibration – Sensing apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-08-21
Kwok, Helen (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Vibration
Sensing apparatus
C702S189000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276213
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to devices which interface between a signal-producing sensor and a computer and relates, more particularly, to means and methods for conditioning a signal generated by a signal-producing sensor for use by a computer-based data acquisition system.
The class of sensors with which this invention is concerned includes those which are used for monitoring vibration. In particular, such sensors (referred to herein as vibration sensors) include displacement probes, velometers and accelerometers, and examples of vibrations which are capable of being monitored with such sensors include those attending a rotating shaft. Displacement probes, for example, can be positioned in close proximity to the surface of a rotating shaft for monitoring the lateral displacement of the shaft during its revolutions, and a velometer or an accelerometer can be positioned against the surface of a component within which a rotating shaft is housed for monitoring the vibration speed (i.e. the change in displacement as a function of time) or the vibration acceleration (i.e. the change in velocity as a function of time) during shaft rotation. An operator who is gathering information relating to the vibrations to be monitored could select either a displacement probe, a velometer or a accelerometer for use in his data-gathering application.
Heretofore, there has not existed a single device which is capable of conditioning a signal from a displacement probe, a velometer and an accelerometer for use of that conditioned signal by a computer-based data acquisition system.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a signal-conditioning device which is capable of use with any of the aforementioned vibration sensors.
Another object of the present invention to provide such a device whose components are packaged in a single, compact unit facilitating the collection of a conditioned vibration signal by the data acquisition system.
Still another object of the present invention to provide such a device whose features render any of a number of characteristics of the vibration signal to be collected from the device for use by the data acquisition system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is uncomplicated in construction yet effective in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention resides in a device for conditioning the electrical signal generated by a vibration sensor for use of the conditioned signal by a computer-based data acquisition system.
The device includes a support body and input means mounted upon the support body including an impedance for receiving the electrical signal generated by a vibration sensor and across which the received signal is sensed. The input means further includes an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal sensed across the impedance to thereby develop an output electrical signal of the input means. Gain means are mounted upon the support body for receiving and AC coupling the output electrical signal of the input means and amplifying the output signal of the input means by a predetermined factor and thereby developing an output electrical signal of the gain means; and integrating means are mounted upon the support body for receiving and integrating the output electrical signal developed by the gain means and thereby developing an output electrical signal of the integrating means. The device also includes filter means mounted upon the support body for receiving and filtering one of the output electrical signal developed by the gain means and the output electrical signal developed by the integrating means to thereby develop an output electrical signal by the filter means which is free of signal frequency above a preselected range, and the filter means has an adjustable setting enabling the preselected frequency range of the filter to be altered. A conductor is associated with the filter means through which frequency-setting commands are received by the filter means, and buffer means are mounted on the support body for receiving and amplifying the output electrical signal of the filter means to thereby develop an output electrical signal of the buffer means. An output conductor is associated with the buffer means enabling the output electrical signal developed by the buffer means to be conducted to a computer-based data acquisition system. In addition, a sample/hold means is mounted upon the support body for receiving and freezing the output signal from the buffer means as a sample signal, and a conductor is associated with the sample/hold means through which operation of the sample/hold means is initiated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4885707 (1989-12-01), Nichol et al.
patent: 5390545 (1995-02-01), Dean
patent: 5792956 (1998-08-01), Li
patent: 6078874 (2000-06-01), Piety et al.
Humphrey, Jr. Cullen Thomas
Lee, Jr. Lloyd Dewey
Petersen Kent Michael
Kwok Helen
MAARS, Incorporated
McKee Michael E.
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