Mimic gauge for a chart recorder

• US 20080018675A1
• Filed: 07/22/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aubrey Dare Westmoreland
• Original Assignee: Aubrey Dare Westmoreland
• Inventors: Westmoreland, Aubrey Dare
• Application Number:
  US11/490,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018675A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 346/100
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 15/20 Recording elements for printing with ink or for printing by deformation or perforation of the recording surface, e.g. embossing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a data logger for electrically recording positions of a motional member in a chart recorder. A mechanical-to-electrical converter translates the mechanical positions into electrical position signals. The mechanical-to-electrical includes a mechanical coupler for securing at least a portion of the converter to a motional member in a mechanical chart recorder and a position sensor for measuring the spatial positions of the motional member as it moves in response to movements generated in a mechanical measurement instrument. The position sensor generates electrical position signals that are fed to a field processor. The field processor transforms the electrical position signals into position data representative of the spatial position by applying a calibration algorithm that uses calibration coefficients determined for the particular position sensor being employed. The position sensor may measure rotational movement, such as from a shaft in the chart recorder, or linear movement, such as from a linkage in the chart recorder. Angular sensors include inclinometers, potentiometers, magnetic field sensors and optical sensors, while linear sensors include potentiometers, magnetic field sensors and optical sensors. Also provided in the field processor is storage capacity for storing data relating to the raw electrical signals or the measurement data, as well as for application software. Optionally, a transmitter may be incorporated in the field processor for transmitting the position information to a remote location.

Claims

1. A mimic gauge for recording positions of a motional member in a chart recorder, comprising:

a mechanical-to-electrical converter for converting spatial positions of a motional member in a chart recorder into electrical signals related to the spatial positions, said mechanical-to-electrical converter comprising a spatial coupler for securing at least a portion of the mechanical-to-electrical converter to the motional member of the chart recorder, a position sensor for measuring spatial positions of the motional member and generating respective electrical position signals, and a signal connection for conveying the electrical position signals from the position sensor; and

a field processor electrically coupled to the mechanical-to-electrical converter comprising a data processor for transforming the electrical position signals into data representative of the spatial position of the motional member, and a memory.

2. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the position member is a rotational shaft;

said mechanical coupler further comprises;

a shaft grip for fastening to the rotational shaft, said shaft grip comprising a receiving member for cooperating with a surface of the rotational shaft and a biasing member for exerting a coupling force on the rotational shaft through the receiving member.

3. The mimic gauge recited in claim 2, wherein the biasing member comprises a threaded fastener and the receiving member includes a threaded orifice for receiving the threaded fastener.

4. The mimic gauge recited in claim 2, wherein the receiving member comprises a hinged grapple and the biasing member comprises an elastic body.

5. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the motional member is a linkage, said linkage'"'"'s spatial positions being along a generally linear path.

6. The mimic gauge recited in claim 5, wherein the position sensor is a linear position sensor for measuring spatial positions of the motional member along a generally linear path.

7. The mimic gauge recited in claim 5, wherein the linear position sensor further comprises a potentiometer.

8. The mimic gauge recited in claim 5, wherein the mechanical-to-electrical converter further comprises a magnetic field source generator secured to the mechanical coupler, and wherein the linear position sensor further comprises a magnetic field detection sensor.

9. The mimic gauge recited in claim 2, wherein the position sensor is an angular position sensor for measuring spatial positions of the motional member along a generally curvilinear path.

10. The mimic gauge recited in claim 9, wherein the angular position sensor further comprises a range arm secured to the mechanical coupler.

11. The mimic gauge recited in claim 6, wherein the angular position sensor further comprises a potentiometer.

12. The mimic gauge recited in claim 6, wherein the mechanical-to-electrical converter further comprises a magnetic field source generator secured to the mechanical coupler, and wherein the angular position sensor further comprises a magnetic field detection sensor.

13. The mimic gauge recited in claim 6, wherein the mechanical-to-electrical converter further comprises a light source and an optical reflector secured to the mechanical coupler, and wherein the angular position sensor further comprises an optical position sensor.

15. The mimic gauge recited in claim 6, wherein the angular position sensor is an inclinometer.

14. The mimic gauge recited in claim 6 further comprising a stationary adapter, said stationary adapter providing a stationary reference for the mechanical-to-electrical converter.

16. The mimic gauge recited in claim 3, wherein the angular position sensor is an inclinometer.

17. The mimic gauge recited in claim 4, wherein the angular position sensor is an inclinometer.

18. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the field processor further comprises a temperature sensor.

19. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the field processor further comprises a transmitter for transmitting one of the electrical position signals and the position data to a remoter location.

20. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the memory includes capacity for storing one of the electrical position signals and the position data.

21. The mimic gauge recited in claim 1, wherein the field processor further includes a calibration algorithm for producing calibrated measurement data representative of readings from a measurement instrument that is mechanically coupled to the chart recorder from the electrical position signals.