Measuring and testing – Probe or probe mounting
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-16
2003-04-15
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Probe or probe mounting
C073S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06546824
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor mounting assembly.
There are known commercially available sensors, such as a speed sensor for mounting in a housing adjacent to a rotating speed ring which has alternately oriented magnets arranged around the periphery of the ring. One such known sensor is installed in a hydrostatic motor by screwing the sensor into a threaded bore in a housing until the end of the sensor engages the speed ring. This typically requires
7
to
10
revolutions of the sensor. Then the sensor is backed out of the bore part of a revolution until there exists a desired clearance between the end of the sensor and the speed ring. Such a sensor must also be properly oriented or aligned in order to operate properly. This is done by using one wrench to hold the sensor in proper orientation, and by using a second wrench to tighten a jam nut to fix the sensor in this desired position. This process is difficult to perform when the sensor or sensed device is to be serviced, and is very difficult to perform when the motor is to be serviced on a vehicle, such as a tractor. For example, there may not be access for two wrenches, it may be difficult to rotationally position the sensor accurately, and the polarity of the output signal may be unknown until the speed ring is rotated.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a sensor mounting assembly which is simple to mount.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a sensor mounting assembly which can be used to reliably position a sensor, both axially and in rotational orientation.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention wherein a sensor mounting assembly includes a housing having a sensor bore formed therein. An annular groove is formed in a surface of the sensor bore. A retainer is mountable in the sensor bore. The retainer has a C-shaped body and an end of the body has a lip projecting radially outwardly therefrom. A plurality of spaced apart fingers extend axially away from the C-shaped body and away from the lip. Each finger has a plurality of retainer teeth formed thereon. The lip is received by the groove as the retainer is moved axially into the sensor bore. The sensor has a cylindrical sensor body on which sets of teeth are formed in the spaces between ridges which extend axially along the outer surface of the sensor body. The sensor body is inserted into the retainer when the retainer is mounted in the sensor bore, and the sensor body engages the retainer body to hold the lip within the groove, and the sensor teeth interlock with the retainer teeth to releasably hold the sensor in a mounted position within the retainer and within the sensor bore.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2508603 (1950-05-01), Smith
patent: 5067350 (1991-11-01), Grillo et al.
patent: 5263900 (1993-11-01), Stimson
patent: 5581179 (1996-12-01), Engel et al.
patent: 5747987 (1998-05-01), Smith
patent: 5801301 (1998-09-01), Jeong
patent: 5922949 (1999-07-01), Nakajima
patent: 6222191 (2001-04-01), Myron et al.
patent: 6419178 (2002-07-01), Kohlndolfer et al.
patent: 6422075 (2002-07-01), Foster et al.
patent: 2002/0125882 (2002-09-01), Foster et al.
patent: 2000-38908 (2000-02-01), None
John Deere; “Tests and Adjustments-Steering Motor Sensor Adjustment”; p. 260-15-21 (1 page) Jun. 1999.
Deere & Company
Noland Thomas P.
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