Rotating machinery diagnostic system

• US 5,115,406 A
• Filed: 10/05/1990
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gateshead Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gateshead Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Panson, Michael S., Zatezalo, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/593,699
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/551.02, 364/580, 364/506, 364/507, 364/, 364/500, 364/557, 364/709.11, 364/709.12, 364/709.15, 364/715.01, 235/462, 73/460, 73/462, 73/660
• US Class Current: 700/279
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/22 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/025 adapted to a specific application

Abstract

A diagnostic system for evaluating rotating machinery has a keyboard, a display of sufficient size to display messages and numbers, a face plate containing an illustration of rotating machinery having associated indicators to indicate the data to be entered, a processing unit, a memory and a memory card capable of receiving a programmable memory board and a preprogrammed memory board. The memory card enables the user to customize the system to take, store and analyze data and display messages particularly applicable to the user'"'"'s business.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system for evaluating rotating machinery of the type wherein two machines have rotating shafts coupled to each other, the diagnostic system being able to be customized for particular rotating machinery comprising

a. a keypad having numerical keys and function keys for selecting programs and responding to messages;

b. a display of sufficient size to display messages and numbers;

c. a face plate to which the keyboard and display are attached having thereon at least one illustration of two machines having interconnected shafts;

d. a plurality of indicators attached to the face plate at various positions around the illustration to indicate points where measurements must be taken and adjustments be made in the machines in a sequence compatible with a program;

e. a first memory storing at least one program and having a means of receiving and storing input from the keyboard and external sources;

f. an application specific removable card containing a memory having a program which contains instructions applicable to particular rotating machinery said program for receiving and processing information about the particular rotating machinery entered by a user;

g. a processing unit connected to the keyboard, display, indicators, first memory and application specific removable card for receiving data, performing calculations and other operations according to at least one program in at least one of the first memory and the application specific removable card and transmitting a result to at least one of the display, the first memory, the application specific removable card and an external receiver;

h. a decoding unit connected to the processing unit, display, indicators, first memory and application specific removable card for receiving signals from the processing unit to actuate the indicators and the first memory; and

i. means for receiving data from at least one of electronic measurement devices, optical sensors, temperature probe, modem, bar code reader, external memory and external computer connected to at least one of the processing unit, first memory and application specific removable card.

2. The diagnostic system of claim 1 also comprising an internal clock connected to at least one of the first memory, application specific removable card and processing unit for automatically recording a time and date for data entered into the system, wherein time and date can be transferred with the data to an external computer.

3. The diagnostic system of claim 1 also comprising a bar code interface connected to the processing unit and having a latch and memory connected thereto.

4. The diagnostic system of claim 3 also comprising a bar code reader connected to the bar code interface.

5. The diagnostic system of claim 1 also comprising a temperature probe terminal, and A/D converter connected to the terminal and an interface connected between the A/D converter and the processing unit.

6. The diagnostic system of claim 5 wherein the interface is a versatile interface adaptor.

7. The diagnostic system of claim 5 also comprising a temperature probe.

8. The diagnostic system of claim 1 also comprising a computer connection port, a driver connected to the port, and a UART connected to the driver and at least one of the processing unit, application specific removable card and the first memory.

9. The diagnostic system of claim 1 also comprising an electronic indicator port, an electronic switch connected to the port and compatible with the electronic indicator, and an interface connected to the electronic switch and the processing unit.

10. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein the application specific removable card contains a database of measurements taken on selected machines.

11. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein the application specific removable card contains a program which causes the system to retain selected measurements entered by the user.

12. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first memory and the application specific removable card have a program which disables selected keys at certain predetermined times during a data energy sequence.

13. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first memory and the application specific removable card contains a program which allows the user to create and store therein messages that the user wants to display on the display.

14. The diagnostic system of claim 1 wherein the display is an LCD display.