GAP ANALYZER DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20120133522A1
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nuovo Pignone SPA (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Nuovo Pignone SPA (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Giaccherini, Stefano, Cassisi, Andrea
• Application Number:
  US13/117,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20120133522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/023 for measuring distance between sensor and object G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence

Abstract

A method and gap analyzer device configured to determine a gap in a turbo-machine is provided. The gap analyzer device includes a housing configured to receive a rechargeable battery; a voltage multiplier unit configured to increase a voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined value; a voltage stabilization unit configured to stabilize the voltage having the predetermined value; an output port configured to output the voltage having the predetermined value to a probe; an input port configured to receive from the probe a signal indicative of the gap of the turbo-machine; a processor unit configured to determine a voltage associated with the signal; a display configured to display the determined voltage; a common port connected to the voltage stabilization unit, the voltage multiplier unit and the display; and a switch electrically connected between the processor unit and the battery for switching on and off the gap analyzer device.

Claims

1. A gap analyzer device configured to determine a gap in a turbo-machine, the gap analyzer device consisting essentially of:

a housing configured to receive a rechargeable battery;

a voltage multiplier unit configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery and to increase a voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined value;

a voltage stabilization unit connected to the voltage multiplier unit and configured to stabilize the voltage having the predetermined value;

an output port connected to the voltage stabilization unit and configured to output the voltage having the predetermined value to a probe;

an input port configured to receive from the probe a signal indicative of the gap of the turbo-machine;

a processor unit electrically connected to the input port and configured to determine a voltage associated with the signal;

a display connected to the processor unit and configured to display the determined voltage;

a common port connected to the voltage stabilization unit, the voltage multiplier unit and the display; and

a switch electrically connected between the processor unit and the battery for switching on and off the gap analyzer device.

2. A gap analyzer device configured to determine a gap in a turbo-machine, the gap analyzer device consisting of:

a casing;

a housing formed inside the casing and configured to receive a rechargeable battery;

a voltage multiplier unit provided inside the casing and configured to be connected to the rechargeable battery and to increase a voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined value;

a voltage stabilization unit provided inside the casing and connected to the voltage multiplier unit and configured to stabilize the voltage having the predetermined value;

an output port attached to the casing and connected to the voltage stabilization unit and configured to output the voltage having the predetermined value to a probe;

an input port attached to the casing and configured to receive from the probe a signal indicative of the gap of the turbo-machine;

a processor unit provided inside the casing and connected to the input port and configured to determine a voltage associated with the signal;

a display attached to the casing and connected to the processor unit and configured to display the determined voltage;

a common port attached to the casing and connected to the voltage stabilization unit, the voltage multiplier unit and the processor unit;

a first switch electrically connecting the output port to the rechargeable battery and configured to be directly pressed by a user, the first switch being provided on an outside of the casing;

a second switch electrically connecting the display to another battery and configured to be directly pressed by the user, the second switch being provided on the outside of the casing; and

a third switch electrically connecting the rechargeable battery to the processing unit for testing the rechargeable battery and configured to be directly pressed by the user, the third switch being provided on the outside of the casing.

3. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, wherein the voltage of the rechargeable battery is 9 V direct current.

4. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined value of the voltage of the voltage multiplier unit is between 24 V and 30 V direct current.

5. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, wherein the voltage multiplier unit includes a voltage transformer.

6. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, wherein the stabilization unit comprises:

a first stabilizer provided between the voltage multiplier unit and the output port;

a microprocessor; and

a second stabilizer provided between the voltage multiplier unit and the microprocessor.

7. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, further comprising:

a battery connected to the display and configured to supply a direct current voltage to the display.

8. The gap analyzer device of claim 2, wherein the processor unit is configured to calculate only a voltage corresponding to the gap or a length of the gap but no other quantities.

9. A gap analyzer device configured to determine a gap in a turbo-machine, the gap analyzer device consisting of:

a casing;

a voltage multiplier unit configured to be connected to a rechargeable battery and to increase a voltage of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined value;

a voltage stabilization unit connected to the voltage multiplier unit and configured to stabilize the voltage having the predetermined value;

an output port connected to the voltage stabilization unit and configured to output the voltage having the predetermined value;

an input port configured to receive a signal indicative of the gap of the turbo-machine;

a processor unit connected to the input port and configured to calculate a voltage associated with the signal;

a display connected to the processor unit and configured to display only the calculated voltage;

a common port connected to the voltage stabilization unit, the voltage multiplier unit and the processor unit;

a first switch electrically connecting the output port to the rechargeable battery and configured to be directly pressed by a user, the first switch being provided on an outside of the casing;

a second switch electrically connecting the display to another battery and configured to be directly pressed by the user, the second switch being provided on the outside of the casing;

a third switch electrically connecting the rechargeable battery to a processor for testing the rechargeable battery and configured to be directly pressed by the user, the third switch being provided on the outside of the casing;

a first visual indicator provided on the outside of the casing and configured to light when the replacement battery is discharged; and

a second visual indicator provided on the outside of the casing and configured to light when the replacement battery is charged.

10. A method for measuring with a gap analyzer device a gap in a turbo-machine, the method consisting of:

pressing a first switch to turn on the gap analyzer device;

pressing a second switch to determine whether a light indicator indicates that a rechargeable battery is operational;

contacting output and input ports of the gap analyzer device to a probe;

pressing a third switch on the gap analyzer device for sending a voltage to the probe and for receiving from the probe a signal indicative of the gap; and

displaying on a display of the gap analyzer device a voltage associated with the gap.