Shaft dislocation detector

Claim 2

Detector mechanism for detecting displacement of a rotating shaft from the normal operating position, said mechanism comprising a detector circuit, first and second normally closed contact structures connected in said circuit, a radially extending collar fixed to said shaft, said first contact structure including a tubular contact member of conductive material fixedly mounted with the inner end thereof positioned in proximity to said collar, said second contact structure including a contact portion formed of conductive material, spring means operable to yieldingly maintain said portion in overlying conductive engagement with the inner end of said tubular contact, said collar being movable into abrading engagement with said overlying portion of said second contact structure upon displacement of said shaft from normal operating position, said overlying portion of said second contact structure being severable from said tubular contact member upon such abrading engagement by said collar.

Claim 3

Detector mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said contact portion of said second contact structure is fixed to a supporting member mounted in said tubular contact for axial movement therein, said spring means acting on said supporting member and yieldingly urging the same in a direction from the inner end of said tubular contact.

Claim 4

Detector mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said supporting member is formed of conductive material and means insulating said supporting member from said tubular contact member.

Claim 5

Detector mechanism for detecting displacement of a rotating shaft from normal operating position, said mechanism comprising a detector circuit, first and second normally closed contact structures connected in said circuit, a radially extending collar fixed to said shaft, said first contact structure including a tubular member of conductive material fixedly mounted with the inner end thereof positioned in proximity to said collar, a second contact structure including a supporting member of conductive material mounted in said tubular member for axial movement therein, a contact portion of conductive material fixed to the inner end of said supporting member and overlying the inner end of said tubular member in confronting relation to said collar, said supporting member extending outwardly from the outer end of said tubular member, a cap member fixed to the outer end of said supporting member in axially spaced relation to the outer end of said tubular member, a spring encircling the outer end portion of said supporting member and being disposed intermediate the outer end of said tubular member and said cap, said spring being operable to yieldingly urge said supporting member outwardly of said tubular member to maintain said contact portion of said second contact structure in overlying conductive engagement with the inner end of said tubular member, and means insulating said supporting member and said spring from said tubular member, said contact portion of said second contact structure being severable from said supporting member upon said collar moving into abrading engagement with said contact portion.

Claim 6

Detector mechanism for detecting displacement of a rotating shaft from normal operating position, said mechanism comprising a detector circuit, first and second normally closed contact structures connected in said circuit, a radially extending collar fixed to said shaft, said first contact structure including a tubular member of conductive material fixedly mounted with the inner end thereof positioned in proximity to said collar, a second contact structure including a supporting member of conductive material mounted in said tubular member for axial movement therein, a contact portion of conductive material fixed to the inner end of said supporting member and overlying the inner end of said tubular member in confronting relation to said collar, said supporting member extending outwardly from the outer end of said tubular member, a cap member fixed to the outer end of said supporting member in axially spaced relation to the outer end of said tubular member, a spring encircling the outer end portion of said supporting member and being disposed intermediate the outer end of said tubular member and said cap, said spring being operable to yieldingly urge said supporting member outwardly of said tubular member to maintain said contact portion of said second contact structure in overlying conductive engagement with the inner end of said tubular member, and means insulating said supporting member and said spring from said tubular member, said contact portion of said second contact structure being severable from said supporting member upon said collar moving into abrading engagement with said contact portion.

Claim 7

Detector mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spring is operable upon severance of said contact portion to move said supporting member outwardly in said tubular member and stop means to limit the outward movement of said support.