Apparatus for detecting cracks in a flexible coupling
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting cracks in a flexible disc of a flexible coupling connected between a rotary power source and a device driven through the flexible coupling by the power source comprising:
- an electrically insulated conductive line on the flexible disc, the conductive line being normally continuous and being discontinuous upon cracking of the disc;
first circuit means mounted on the coupling and connected to the conductive line for generating and transmitting a first signal while the conductive line is continuous and a second signal while the conductive line is discontinuous; and
stationary second circuit means for receiving the first and second signals from the first circuit means and providing an indication of either the first signal or the second signal.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting cracks in a flexible rotating coupling is disclosed in which the flexible coupling includes a flexible element having a plurality of flexible discs. An electrically conductive, normally continuous, line is affixed to at least one of the flexible discs and connected to a circuit. The conductive line becomes discontinuous if the disc cracks. The circuit is mounted on the coupling and transmits a signal indicative of the continuous or discontinuous condition of the conductive line and thereby the intact or cracked condition of the flexible disc. The transmitted signal is received by a stationary circuit which provides an output indication of the disc'"'"'s intact or cracked condition.
13 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detecting cracks in a flexible disc of a flexible coupling connected between a rotary power source and a device driven through the flexible coupling by the power source comprising:
-
an electrically insulated conductive line on the flexible disc, the conductive line being normally continuous and being discontinuous upon cracking of the disc; first circuit means mounted on the coupling and connected to the conductive line for generating and transmitting a first signal while the conductive line is continuous and a second signal while the conductive line is discontinuous; and stationary second circuit means for receiving the first and second signals from the first circuit means and providing an indication of either the first signal or the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. In a flexible coupling connected between a rotary power source and a device driven through the flexible coupling by the power source, the combination comprising:
-
flexible means comprising part of the flexible coupling and positioned between the power source and the driven device for transferring rotary power from the power source to the driven device and simultaneously accommodating misalignment of the power source and the driven device, the flexible means comprising a plurality of layered discs; an electrically insulated conductive line on one of the flexible discs, the conductive line being normally continuous and being discontinuous upon cracking of the disc; circuit means mounted on the coupling and connected to the conductive line for generating a signal indicative of the discontinuity of the conductive line and thus the cracking of said one flexible disc; and the flexible means as a whole is intact after the cracking of the one flexible disc. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. In a flexible coupling connected between a rotary power source and a device driven through the flexible coupling by the power source, the combination comprising:
-
first and second spaced apart flexible means comprising part of the flexible coupling and positioned between the power source and the driven device for transferring rotary power from the power source to the driven device and simultaneously accommodating misalignment of the power source and the driven device, each of the flexible means comprising a plurality of layered discs; first and second electrically conductive lines respectively affixed to the first and second flexible means, each conductive line being normally continuous and being discontinuous upon the cracking of the disc to which it is affixed; first and second circuit means mounted on the coupling and respectively connected to the first and second conductive lines for each generating and transmitting a first signal while the connected conductive line is continuous and a second signal while the connected conductive line is discontinuous; and stationary circuit means for receiving the first and second signals from the first and second circuit means and providing an indication of either the first signal or the second signal.
-
Specification