Self-powered vibration monitoring system

• US 20050087019A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bradbury R. Face
• Original Assignee: Bradbury R. Face
• Inventors: Face, Bradbury R.
• Application Number:
  US10/972,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20050087019A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/649
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0426 Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0427 Flexural waves, plate waves, e.g. Lamb waves, tuning fork, cantilever
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/245 Ceramic probes, e.g. lead zirconate titanate [PZT] probes

Abstract

A system for monitoring the vibration of electrical and mechanical equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-powered vibration monitoring device and system that generates an electrical signal that not only powers the device(s), but also is indicative of the frequency and/or amplitude of vibration of the equipment to which it is attached. The power is preferably generated through a piezoelectric element and is sent through signal generation circuitry coupled to a transmitter for sending RF signals indicative of the vibrational status of the equipment to one or more receivers for further display or processing.

Claims

1. A self-powered vibration monitoring system, comprising:

an electroactive transducer having first and second ends, said electroactive transducer comprising;

a first electroactive member having opposing first and second electroded major faces and first and second ends;

a flexible substrate bonded to said second major face of said first electroactive member;

said flexible substrate having first and second ends adjacent said first and second ends of said first electroactive member;

wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to deform from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to said electroactive transducer;

and wherein said electroactive transducer is adapted to return to said first position from said second position upon release of said force from said electroactive transducer;

and wherein upon said deformation from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a first voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

and wherein upon said return from said first position to second position, said electroactive transducer is adapted to generate a second voltage potential between said first electroded major face and said second electroded major face;

a mounting member for retaining said electroactive transducer;

said mounting member comprising at least one retaining means adjacent said first end, said second end or said first and second ends of said flexible substrate of said first electroactive member;

said mounting means being mechanically attached to a piece of equipment vibrating at a frequency;

wherein said vibrating equipment transmits a vibration through said mounting means to said electroactive transducer;

and wherein said electroactive transducer generates an oscillating voltage at said frequency of vibration of said equipment;

a first conductor electrically connected to said first electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a second conductor electrically connected to said second electroded major face of said first electroactive member;

a rectifier having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said rectifier being electrically connected between said first and second conductors in parallel with said first and second electroded major faces of said electroactive transducer;

a voltage regulator having an input side and an output side;

said input side of said voltage regulator being electrically connected to said output side of said rectifier;

a logic component, said logic component comprising an encoder and a frequency counter;

said encoder having an input and an output side, said output side of said voltage regulator being connected to said input side of said encoder;

an output signal at said output side of said encoder being an electrical signal having a coded waveform;

said frequency counter having an input and an output side and a power connection;

said output side of said voltage regulator being connected to said power connection of said encoder;

said input side of said frequency counter being electrically connected to said first and second conductors;

an output signal at said output side of said frequency being an electrical signal having frequency data contained therein;

first signal transmission means electrically connected to said output side of said logic component;

said first signal transmission means comprising a first radio frequency generator subcircuit connected to an antenna;

said radio-frequency generator subcircuit being adapted to generate a first radio-frequency signal modulated by said output signal of said encoder and said frequency counter for transmission by said antenna; and

signal reception means for receiving a first signal transmitted by said first signal transmission means.