DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE FUNCTION OF A MACHINE

• US 20130304351A1
• Filed: 05/08/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Logimesh Ip LLC
• Original Assignee: Logimesh Ip LLC
• Inventors: Gillette, William J. II
• Application Number:
  US13/890,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20130304351A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/101
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/38 Devices for discharging contents containers formed by folding or erecting paper blanks B65D5/72 ; incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured closure members B65D47/00; for discharging thin flat articles B65D83/08
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/007 Measuring stresses in a pipe string or casing for locating blocked portions of pipes E21B47/09
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/085 with sensors measuring combustion processes, e.g. knocking, pressure, ionization, combustion flame
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/288 for performing a transformation into the frequency domain, e.g. Fourier transformation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/021 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 45/00 Electrical control not provided for in groups F02D41/00 - F02D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/006 Camshaft or pushrod housings
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/0068 Adaptations for other accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/12 by monitoring vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/025 Details with respect to the testing of engines or engine parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/22 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3254 using a flow detector G01M3/3245, G01M3/3272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/70 for vehicles, e.g. to determine permissible loading of ships , centre of gravity, necessary fuel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 : Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 : Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 : using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00032 : Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for circuits specially adapted for remote switching of lighting via the power line H05B47/185
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 : with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/82 : Connection of interconnections
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 : using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 : With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid

Abstract

A device is disclosed for monitoring the function of a machine, such as an engine or compressor, or of any structure or one or more characteristics of a material. The device may be self-powered to function in remote areas and/or hazardous conditions.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the function of an engine, the device comprising:

(a) a housing mounted to the engine,

(b) a power source,

(c) one or more sensors, each of which detect an engine condition, and

(d) a transmitter for transmitting each of the detected engine conditions, the transmitter powered by the power source.

2. The device of claim 1 that further includes a processor in communication with each of the one or more sensors, the processor for receiving data regarding each of the engine conditions and converting the data into electronic signals that are transmitted by the transmitter.

3. The device of claim 1 that further includes a database for storing at least some of the detected engine conditions.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the database is part of the processor.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the processor is inside of the housing.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein the processor is inside of the housing.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source is inside the housing.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery.

9. The device of claim 1 that further includes a secondary power source.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the secondary power source is a battery.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the secondary power source is inside of the housing.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the battery is a lithium thynol chloride battery.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing is a two-piece housing.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the two-piece housing comprises a top half and a bottom half.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the top half is comprised of a material that is more thermally conductive than the material comprising the bottom half.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the bottom half can withstand a temperature of at least 100°

C. without losing its structural integrity.

17. The device of claim 8 that further includes a system for recharging the power source.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the battery is inside the housing, and the system for recharging the battery includes a heat pipe.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the system for recharging the battery includes:

(h) a heat pipe that is at least partially contained within the housing, the heat pipe having a first end, a second end and a body portion,

(i) a thermister adjacent the first end of the heat pipe for receiving heat from the heat pipe, the thermister for generating electrical power, and

(j) the second end of the heat pipe adjacent a source of heat so as to transmit the heat through the body to the first end and to the thermister.

20. The device of claim 19 that further includes an opening in the bottom half of the housing, the opening dimensioned to receive the body of the heat pipe.