Apparatus to attach sensors on equipment with rotating shafts

Abstract

An apparatus for attaching sensors to rotating shafts on equipment includes a cup magnet and a housing for receiving the cup magnet. A target rotor is displaced within the housing which rotates when attached to a rotating shaft for the purpose of sensing the shaft rotation. Alternately, the cup magnet may be permanently attached to a rotating couple rather than a non-rotating housing. A preferred embodiment may have a dust cover.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a regular patent application based on provisional patent applications, filed Sep. 6, 2000 Application Ser. No. 60 / 230,357 and 60 / 230,358.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of attaching sensors and targets, and more particularly to an apparatus to easily, simply and safely attach and operate motion detector sensors on equipment with rotating shafts.[0003]In the past history of industry, it has always been necessary to determine if certain or all the equipment so pertaining to that particular plant are running. In recent years, many sensors have been developed. One in particular has been the proximity sensor. This sensor senses the presence of metal when a “metal target” comes close to its sensing head. Others are the magnetic reed sensor, capacitance sensor and the hall effect sensor. Most of industry today relies on the proximity sensor because of its standard configuration. It should be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for guards over sensors placed near rotating shafts.

[0014]A further object of the invention is to provide a quick and easy method of removing sensors when the equipment needs maintenance.

[0016]Still yet another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for special installation tools.

[0017]Still another object of the invention is to provide a quick release quality that prevents objects that can strike the invention from breaking it.

[0018]Still another object of the invention is to provide a quick release quality that keeps personnel from injury.

Problems solved by technology

First, the shaft of the equipment being monitored needs to have a metal target attached to it.

The deficiency of the prior technology of mounting sensors to rotating shaft equipment is that it takes much time and planning to install.

Further, when the equipment being monitored needs maintenance, such as a shaft bearing needing replaced, all of the mounted parts need to be disassembled.

Further deficiency of the prior technology of the installation of sensors and targets would be if a guard were not installed to cover both the sensor and the target.

Serious bodily harm would occur.

Serious injury could occur if a worker or others garments because entangled by the target that protrudes from the rotating shaft of the equipment being monitored.

Also, if a worker or other place a finger close to the sensor head and the target passed in front of the head, a severe pinch point will happen.

Further deficiencies of the prior technology of installation of sensors are that much planning must be done before the sensor is to be mounted.

When this much planning has to happen, something is usually forgotten causing a delay in the installation.

Further deficiency of the prior technology of installation of sensors is in the case of universal devices that have a target, guard and sensor mount.

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