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US4636778A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Brush wear monitor

Assignee: Reliance Electric Co
•
Filing: 1983-10-03
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2003-10-03
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Abstract

Abstract A brush wear monitor system for dynamoelectric machines includes a sensor imbedded in a brush to provide a signal indicating a predetermined amount of brush wear. The brush wear signal is provided through an isolation network to an indicator circuit. The indicator circuit includes a first indicating lamp which is illuminated in the absence of a signal from the brush wear sensor to indicate normal operation and a second indicator lamp which is illuminated only in response to receipt of a brush wear signal from the sensor. Upon receipt of a signal the first indicator lamp is extinguished and the second indicator lamp is illuminated. A manually operated test switch is provided to check the operation of the indicator circuit.

Inventors

  • 👤 William M. Corkran
  • 👤 Herbert A. Koeth
  • 👤 L. James Pugsley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 19:09
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/182

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
A system for monitoring brush wear in dynamoelectric machines comprising a brush having sensor means for providing electrical signals indicating a predetermined amount of brush wear, power supply means separate from said electrical signals from said sensor means, first indicator means, first switch means for connecting said first indicator means to said power supply means in the absence of a signal from said sensor means, second indicator means, second switch means for maintaining said second indicator means disconnected from said power supply means in the absence of a signal from said sensor means, means responsive to a signal from said sensor means for actuating said first and second switch means, and means connected to said power supply means for providing a signal to said signal responsive means to simulate the receipt of a signal from said sensor means to test the operation of said first and second indicator means, said first and second switch means and said signal responsive means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 160 words
A system for monitoring brush wear in dynamoelectric machines comprising a brush having sensor means for providing electrical signals indicating a predetermined amount of brush wear, power supply means separate from said electrical signals from said sensor means, first indicator means, first switch means for connecting said first indicator means to said power supply means in the absence of a signal from said sensor means, second indicator means, second switch means for maintaining said second indicator means disconnected from said power supply means in the absence of a signal from said sensor means, means responsive to a signal from said sensor means for actuating said first and second switch means, and means connected to said power supply means for providing a signal to said signal responsive means to simulate the receipt of a signal from said sensor means to test the operation of said first and second indicator means, said first and second switch means and said signal responsive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 55 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal responsive means includes a relay having a normally closed contact in series with said first indicator means and a normally open contact in series with said second indicator means, and switching means for energizing said relay in response to a signal from said sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said simulating means includes switch means for providing an electrical signal simulating a signal from said sensor means to said signal responsive means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2762035A Cited
US3409873A Cited
US3452347A Cited
US3523288A Cited
US4169357A Cited
US4333095A Cited
US4344009A Cited
US4390870A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-01-12 1990-07-14 1991-01-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-01-12 1994-07-14 1995-01-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-01-12 1998-07-14 1999-01-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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