US5034729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration monitor for rotating or moving equipment
Assignee: SOFT-NOZE USA Inc
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Filing: 1990-04-18
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Granted: 1991-07-23
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Expires: 2010-04-18
Abstract
Abstract This invention pertains to a device which is attached on rotating or moving equipment for the purpose of monitoring unsafe levels of equipment vibration. The invention comprises a mechanical assembly which is adjustably sensitive to the vibration amplitude of its given application. The monitor is so designed that it does not include the electronic switching device as an integral part of the invention. Rather, commercially available switching devices (proximity switches) are used as the electronic switching component. In the preferred embodiment, the unit is sensitive to vibration in any plane. The vibration monitor is a signaling device; it can be used to sound an external alarm, engage safety equipment, or disengage or stop moving equipment. It was developed as an inexpensive, rugged, device which can be used in conjunction with general purpose proximity switches to give vibration monitoring capability to an existing proximity switch product line.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn C. Lundquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:43
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945; H03K17/95; H03K17/952; G; G01; G01H; G01H11/00; G01H11/02; G01P; G01P13/00; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; H01H35/144; H01H35/141; H01H35/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A vibration monitoring means comprising: (a) an inertial mass which is caused to move responsive to vibration; and (b) a proximity switch which is activated by an entrance of said inertial mass into a pre-determined sensing range of said proximity switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vibration monitoring means comprising: (a) an inertial mass which is caused to move responsive to vibration; and (b) a proximity switch which is activated by an entrance of said inertial mass into a pre-determined sensing range of said proximity switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the initial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a permanent magnet adjustably located in a sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the intial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a permanent magnet with a magnet shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the initial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a wire spring adjustably bearing on the inertial mass through the means of a fulcrum pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the initial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a dampening bar adjustably bearing on the inertial mass through the means of a dampening spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the initial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a dampening coil spring adjustably retaining a pendulum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a biasing means to fix the initial position and dampen the oscillation of said inertial mass wherein said biasing means is comprised of a fixed sensitivity flat spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a testing means to move the inertial mass into the sensing range of the proximity switch whereby the vibration monitor proper, and related circuits, may be verified comprising a slidable test button and magnet sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a testing means to move the inertial mass into the sensing range of the proximity switch whereby the vibration monitor proper, and related circuits, may be verified comprising a non-magnetic test button.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a testing means to move the inertial mass into the sensing range of the proximity switch whereby the vibration monitor proper, and related circuits, may be verified comprising a test button with an attached shielded and movable magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 further including a testing means to move the inertial mass into the sensing range of the proximity switch whereby the vibration monitor proper, and related circuits, may be verified comprising a sleeve which moves over a fixed coil spring to move a pendulum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 wherein a housing is incorporated which comprises: (a) a longitudinally open portion within said housing; (b) a threaded opening at right angles to said open portion for said proximity switch; and (c) an opening in opposition to said threaded opening portion for a biasing magnet or test button assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 wherein said inertial mass comprises a rotatably mounted assembly centered in a locating socket affixed to a spring device so mounted that displacement in either a plane parallel to, or a plane perpendicular to, said spring device causes said assembly to enter the sensitivity range of said proximity switch of claim 1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 wherein said inertial mass comprises an inertial mass rigidly mounted to a spring device so that displacement in a plane perpendicular to said spring device causes said assembly to enter the sensitivity range of the proximity switch of claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spring device for the inertial mass of claim 13 or 14 wherein said spring device is configured as a flat spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spring device for the inertial mass of claim 15 wherein a fixed fulcrum disc locating socket is integral with said spring member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spring device for the inertial mass of claim 13 or 14 wherein said spring device is configured as a compound flat spring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spring device for the inertial mass of claim 17 wherein a fixed fulcrum disk locating socket is integral with said spring member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 wherein said inertial mass comprises a pendulum suspendably mounted to a multiplicity of spring devices so that displacement in a plane perpendicular to said spring devices causes said pendulum to enter the sensitivity range of the proximity switch of claim 1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vibration monitor of claim 1 wherein said inertial mass comprises a rotatably mounted assembly suspendably mounted between a multiplicity of spring devices so that displacement in either a plane parallel to, or a plane perpendicular to, said spring devices causes said assembly to enter the sensitivity range of the proximity switch of claim 1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spring device for the inertial mass of claim 19 or 20 wherein said spring device is configured as an opposing pair of coil springs.
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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) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |