US4833453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring of movable components
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1988-02-04
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Granted: 1989-05-23
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Expires: 2008-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for monitoring the operation of a component which is located in a sealed enclosure and is movable into a selected operating position in response to an activating signal uses the steps of: generating a short-duration acoustic signal in the enclosure in response to the movement of the component into the selected operating position; sensing the acoustic signal at the exterior of the sealed enclosure; and determining the time relationship between the activating signal and the acoustic signal. The acoustic signal is generated by an element which is carried by or moveable with the component and which generates the acoustic signal by striking an interior surface of the enclosure when the component moves into the selected operating position.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Twerdochlib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:26
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/14; F16K21/00; F16K37/00; F16K37/0075; F16K37/0083; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225; Y10T137/8242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a component which is located in a sealed enclosure and is movable into a selected operating position in response to an activating signal, comprising: generating a short-duration acoustic signal in the enclosure in response to the movement of the component into the selected operating position; sensing the acoustic signal at the exterior of the sealed enclosure; and determining the time relationship between the activating signal and the acoustic signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for monitoring the operation of a component which is located in a sealed enclosure and is movable into a selected operating position in response to an activating signal, comprising: generating a short-duration acoustic signal in the enclosure in response to the movement of the component into the selected operating position; sensing the acoustic signal at the exterior of the sealed enclosure; and determining the time relationship between the activating signal and the acoustic signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an acoustic signal is carried out by causing the component to impact against the enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an acoustic signal is carried out by displacing a movable element within the enclosure to a displaced position in response to movement of the component toward the selected operating position, and then causing the movable element to move from the displaced position to impact against the enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of displacing is carried out by establishing a magnetic attraction between the movable element and the component, and permitting the movable element to be displaced with the component during a portion of the movement of the component toward the selected operating position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of causing the movable element to move comprises applying to the movable element a biassing force in the direction toward the enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of determining comprises producing an alarm signal when an acoustic signal does not occur in at least a selected time interval after initiation of an activating signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for monitoring the operation of a component which is located in a sealed enclosure and is movable into a selected operating position in response to an activating signal, comprising: means for generating a short-duration acoustic signal in the enclosure in response to the movement of the component into the selected operating position; sensing means acoustically coupled to the sealed enclosure and located at the exterior of the sealed enclosure for sensing the acoustic signal; and monitoring means connected to said sensing means for determining the time relationship between the activating signal and the acoustic signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for monitoring the operation of a component which is located in a sealed enclosure and is movable into a selected operating position in response to an activating signal, comprising: means for generating a short-duration acoustic signal in the enclosure in response to the movement of the component into the selected operating position; sensing means acoustically coupled to the sealed enclosure and located at the exterior of the sealed enclosure for sensing the acoustic signal; and monitoring means connected to said sensing means for determining the time relationship between the activating signal and the acoustic signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said component constitutes said means for generating an acoustic signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for generating an acoustic signal comprise a movable element mounted within the enclosure for movement to a displaced position in response to movement of the component toward the selected operating position, and means for causing said movable element to move from the displaced position to impact against the enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as defined in claim 9 further comprising means associated with at least one of said movable element and said component for establishing a magnetic attraction therebetween for permitting said movable element to be displaced with said component during a portion of the movement of said component toward the selected operating position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for causing the movable element to move comprises biassing means coupled to said movable element for applying to said movable element a biassing force in the direction toward the enclosure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said monitoring means comprise means for emitting an alarm signal when an acoustic signal does not occur in at least a selected time interval after initiation of an activating signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-22 | 1992-11-21 | 1993-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-22 | 1996-11-21 | 1997-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-22 | 2000-11-21 | 2001-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |