Monitoring system with power supply built therein

• US 6,701,287 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Nagase, Mamoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charioui, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US10/135,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/56, 702/57, 702/65, 702/104, 702/113, 702/115, 702/116, 702/124-126, 702/130, 702/132, 702/133, 702/177, 702/178, 702/188, 702/60, 702/FOR.103, 702/FOR.104, 702/FOR.123, 702/FOR.124, 702/FOR.134, 731/465, 738/659, 731/520.2, 731/16, 736/51, 736/61, 137/80, 137/526, 451/87, 236/12.12, 236/94
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output

Abstract

A monitoring system with a power supply built therein, which is capable of setting installation expenses at low cost and obtaining a stable result of monitoring for a predetermined period. The monitoring system comprises a sensor unit having sensors and a power supply incorporated therein, and a portable data logger having a communication module and a power supply built therein. Physical quantities such as vibrations, temperatures, and pressure, of an object to be monitored are detected by the sensors, followed by transmission to the portable data logger, whereby the state of operation of the object is displayed.

Claims

1. A sensor, comprising:

an elongated body including a bore concentrically aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body;

a cap disposed on one end of the elongated body;

a transmitting unit coupled to the elongated body via the cap;

at least one sensing element disposed in the bore of the elongated body; and

a transfer element for communicating information produced by the at least one sensing element to the transmitting unit.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising:

a holding member disposed within the bore of the elongated body and including a cavity for receiving the at least one sensing element, the holding member maintaining the at least one sensing element at a position inside the elongated body.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein:

the holding member includes a heat resistant material.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein:

the heat resistant material is a heat resistant resin.

5. The sensor according to claim 2, further comprising:

a spring arranged within the elongated body for urging the holding member in a direction with respect to the at least one sensing element.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing element includes a vibration transfer bar provided with a piezoelectric element.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein:

the vibration transfer bar tapers to an end thereof.

8. The sensor according to claim 7, wherein:

the tapering end of the vibration transfer bar is for contacting an object to be monitored.

9. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein:

the piezoelectric element includes one of lead niobate and lithium niobate.

10. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting fixed portion for coupling the elongated body to one of a nut and a bolt of a steam trap.

11. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein the mounting fixed portion includes:

a spacer for engagement with the nut of the steam trap, and

a nut holder for coupling the elongated body to the nut of the steam trap via the spacer.

12. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein:

the mounting fixed portion includes a female screw portion.

13. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body is formed from stainless steel.

14. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body includes a plurality of heat radiating fins.

15. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transfer element includes an electric cable.

16. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing element includes a thermocouple.

17. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

the at least one sensing element senses a vibration in an object to be monitored.