Diagnostic system for measuring acceleration of a demolition hammer

• US 10,179,424 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2015
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Ellis, Steven B., Dostinov, Dimitar, Fisher, Bart A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Royston, John M
• Application Number:
  US14/924,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20170120478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 17/06 Hammer pistons; Anvils ; Guide-sleeves for pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 2250/141 Magnetic parts used in percussive tools
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 2250/221 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B28D 1/26 by impact tools, e.g. by chisels or other tools having a cutting edge portable percussive tools B25D
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/966 of hammer-type tools arrangements for breaking-up hard ground E02F5/305; percussion -type rippers E02F5/323
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/264 Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0802 Details

Abstract

A diagnostic system for measuring acceleration of a piston of a reciprocating hammer is disclosed. The diagnostic system may include a magnet configured to induce, via electromagnetic induction and based on a movement of the piston, an electric current in a conductor. The diagnostic system may include a capacitor electrically coupled to the conductor and configured to store electric power based on the electric current induced by the magnet. The diagnostic system may include an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the piston. The diagnostic system may include a communication device powered by the capacitor and configured to output a signal that identifies the acceleration measured by the accelerometer.

Claims

1. A reciprocating hammer, comprising:

a piston configured for reciprocating movement within a cylinder housing;

a magnet configured to move relative to a conductor and to induce, via electromagnetic induction and based on the reciprocating movement of the piston, an electric current in the conductor;

an energy storage device electrically coupled with the conductor and configured to store electrical energy based on the electric current induced by the magnet;

a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with the reciprocating hammer;

a communication device electrically coupled with the energy storage device and configured to output a signal indicative of the parameter; and

wherein the magnet, energy storage device, sensor, and communication device are attached to the piston such that they move with the piston during reciprocating movement.

2. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, wherein the magnet, energy storage device, sensor, and communication device are removably attached to the piston.

3. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, wherein the piston has a first end, configured to strike a work tool, and a second end opposite the first end;

and

wherein the magnet, energy storage device, sensor, and communication device are attached to the second end of the piston.

4. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the piston.

5. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

6. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, further comprising a rectifier that electrically couples the conductor and the energy storage device.

7. The reciprocating hammer of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier configured to amplify the signal indicative of the parameter.

8. A diagnostic system, comprising:

a magnet configured to move relative to a conductor and to induce, via electromagnetic induction and based on a reciprocating movement of a piston, an electric current in the conductor;

an energy storage device electrically coupled to the conductor and configured to store electrical energy based on the electric current induced by the magnet;

a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with the piston;

a communication device powered by the energy storage device and configured to output a wireless signal indicative of the parameter associated with the piston; and

wherein the diagnostic system is attached to the piston such that it moves with the piston during reciprocating movement.

9. The diagnostic system of claim 8, further comprising an interface device configured to:

receive the wireless signal from the communication device; and

output information that identifies the parameter associated with the piston based on receiving the wireless signal.

10. The diagnostic system of claim 8, further comprising an interface device configured to:

receive the wireless signal from the communication device; and

output an alert, associated with the piston, based on the wireless signal.

11. The diagnostic system of claim 8, further comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive the wireless signal;

compare the wireless signal and a threshold signal indicative of a threshold associated with operating or maintaining the piston; and

output an alert signal based on a result of comparing the wireless signal and the threshold signal; and

an interface device configured to output an alert, associated with operating or maintaining the piston, based on the alert signal.

12. The diagnostic system of claim 11, wherein the threshold signal is based on a plurality of values measured by the sensor.

13. The diagnostic system of claim 8, further comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive the wireless signal; and

determine a cycle time, associated with the piston, based on the wireless signal; and

an interface device configured to output information associated with the cycle time.

14. A diagnostic system for a reciprocating hammer that includes a piston, the diagnostic system comprising:

a magnet configured to move relative to a conductor and to induce, via electromagnetic induction and based on a movement of the piston, an electric current in a conductor;

a capacitor electrically coupled to the conductor and configured to store electric power based on the electric current induced by the magnet;

an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the piston;

a communication device powered by the capacitor and configured to output a signal that identifies the acceleration measured by the accelerometer; and

wherein the diagnostic system is attached to the piston such that it moves with the piston during reciprocating movement.

15. The diagnostic system of claim 14, further comprising an electronic device powered by the capacitor and configured to:

receive, from the accelerometer, a first signal indicative of the acceleration measured by the accelerometer;

generate a second signal based on the first signal; and

output the second signal to the communication device.

16. The diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises an amplifier configured to amplify the first signal to generate the second signal.

17. The diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein the first signal comprises an analog signal and the second signal comprises a digital signal;

and

wherein the electronic device comprises a converter configured to convert the analog signal to the digital signal.

18. The diagnostic system of claim 14, wherein the accelerometer is powered by the capacitor.