Probe for sensing movement in a compressor system
First Claim
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1. A position sensor to detect when a part in a pressurized space has worn beyond a preselected clearance comprising:
- a probe tube having an internal cavity, at least a portion of the outer surface of the probe being positioned in the pressurized space and proximate to but spaced from the part, when the part has not worn beyond the preselected clearance;
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the probe to detect the pressure within the cavity; and
an apparatus for permitting the position sensor to communicate with a device to indicate when the sensed pressure changes beyond a predetermined amount, indicating that the part has moved beyond a preselected clearance;
whereby, when the part wears beyond its preselected clearance, it engages at least a portion of the probe, breaches the probe, and permits pressurized fluid to enter the internal cavity of the probe and activate the sensor.
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Abstract
A probe is used to detect axial movement of a rotating part such as a shaft. The probe includes a probe tube portion that protrudes into an annular groove on the rotating part. When the rotating part moves axially, one or the other side surfaces of the groove contacts the probe tube. This contact leads to a changed state of the probe, that is sensed by a sensor.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A position sensor to detect when a part in a pressurized space has worn beyond a preselected clearance comprising:
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a probe tube having an internal cavity, at least a portion of the outer surface of the probe being positioned in the pressurized space and proximate to but spaced from the part, when the part has not worn beyond the preselected clearance;
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the probe to detect the pressure within the cavity; and
an apparatus for permitting the position sensor to communicate with a device to indicate when the sensed pressure changes beyond a predetermined amount, indicating that the part has moved beyond a preselected clearance;
whereby, when the part wears beyond its preselected clearance, it engages at least a portion of the probe, breaches the probe, and permits pressurized fluid to enter the internal cavity of the probe and activate the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A compressor system comprising:
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a rotating shaft with a thrust bearing;
a part associated with the thrust bearing and subjected to high fluid pressure;
a housing for containing the rotating shaft and a high pressure fluid;
a probe tube having an internal cavity, at least a portion of the outer surface of the probe being positioned proximate to but spaced from the part when the thrust bearing has not worn beyond a preselected clearance;
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the probe to detect the pressure within the cavity; and
a device in communication with said sensor to indicate when the sensed pressure changes beyond a predetermined amount, indicating that the part has moved beyond a preselected clearance;
whereby when the thrust bearing wears beyond the preselected clearance, it engages at least a portion of the probe, breaches the probe, and permits pressurized fluid to enter the internal cavity of the probe and activate the pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for detecting out clearance tolerance movement of a rotatable part in a pressurized enclosure comprising:
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placing a hollow probe into a housing configured to contain pressurized fluid, the probe being placed in proximity to the rotatable part wherein when the rotatable part moves out of a predetermined clearance tolerance, the rotatable part will breach the hollow probe tube; and
detecting an increased pressure in the hollow probe tube when the rotatable part breaches the hollow probe tube as a indication that the rotatable part has moved out of a predetermined clearance tolerance. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification