Traction motor speed sensor support arrangement

Details Traction motor speed sensor support arrangement Traction motor speed sensor support arrangement

2000-08-25

2003-06-24

Kwok, Helen (Department: 2856)

Measuring and testing

Speed, velocity, or acceleration

Structural installation or mounting means

C073S866500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06581464

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of motor speed sensing, and more particularly, to an improved arrangement for mounting a speed sensor on a traction motor of a locomotive.
Locomotives typically employ a large diesel engine to drive an alternator, or they are powered by externally supplied electricity. The electric power from the alternator or the external supply is conducted to traction motors located beneath a platform of the locomotive. The traction motors convert the electrical power to rotational mechanical power. The traction motors are engaged to drive wheels through axles. The rotation of the wheels by the traction motors drives the locomotive along its rails.
The electrical power supplied to the traction motors is controlled to regulate the speed of the locomotive. Furthermore, the electrical power supplied to the motors may be regulated to avoid spinning of any one of the drive wheels. In order to properly control the operation of the traction motors, it is necessary to obtain a signal corresponding to the speed of rotation of each respective traction motor.
FIG. 1
illustrates a prior art apparatus utilized to obtain such a motor speed signal. Locomotive traction motor
10
is illustrated from a side view showing the motor frame head
12
which forms part of the motor frame. For locomotives provided by the assignee of the present invention, the motor frame is connected to a truck suspension supporting a truck frame, and the truck is connected to a platform suspension supporting the platform via the locomotive main sills. The frame head
12
is disposed in a generally vertical plane, and it contains a plurality of ventilation openings
14
. As is well known in the art, the motor
10
contains a stationary stator portion and a rotating armature portion providing rotation of an output shaft about an axis of rotation
16
. A prior art motor speed sensor
18
includes a housing
20
attached to a flange
22
. Flange
22
may be formed to be integral with the frame head
12
or is attached thereto, and it extends into the interior of the motor
10
in cantilever form. The flange
22
is disposed on the motor frame head
12
proximate one of the ventilation openings
14
. The speed sensor housing
20
is thereby attached to the motor frame head
12
at a distance R
1
from the axis of rotation
16
. An electrical cable protected within a hose
24
extends from the housing
20
through the ventilation opening
14
and is routed along the exterior of the motor
10
. A terminal end of the electrical cable is connected to the locomotive motor control system. One such prior art motor speed sensor
18
is supplied by the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention, as part number GETS 41A296328BFP1.
The environment of a locomotive traction motor
10
is extremely harsh due to temperature extremes, vibration and shock loadings, dirt and chemical contamination, and magnetic fields. It is desirable to improve the speed sensor design in order to maximize the survivability of this important instrument within its intended environment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is described herein an improved traction motor speed sensor support arrangement including: a locomotive traction motor having a frame head adapted for attachment to a locomotive and having an armature portion therein for rotation about an axis of rotation; a sensor housing comprising a base portion attached across the exterior of an opening in the frame head and a sensor portion cantilevered from the base portion and extending through the opening and toward the axis of rotation; and a proximity sensor supported by the sensor portion proximate the armature portion. The mechanical vibration input forces exerted on the speed sensor during the operation of the motor are lowered when compared to prior art devices by mounting the housing to a stiff portion of the motor frame head at a greater distance away from the axis of rotation of the motor.
In another aspect of the invention, the assembly may include a wire connected between the proximity sensor and a connector; the connector comprising a pin portion attached to the wire and a back shell portion attached to the pin portion; and a loop in the wire disposed within the back shell portion of the connector.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3786512 (1974-01-01), McCue et al.
patent: 3911302 (1975-10-01), DeClaire
patent: 3930189 (1975-12-01), Smith
patent: 3970858 (1976-07-01), Rist et al.
patent: 4905518 (1990-03-01), Kubler
patent: 5387039 (1995-02-01), Bien
patent: 5392716 (1995-02-01), Orschek et al.
patent: 5629567 (1997-05-01), Kumar
patent: 5756894 (1998-05-01), Paolo et al.

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