System and method for sensing movement in a compressor system

• US 6,744,061 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Norbeck, Dean K., Adams, Mark A., Soussa, Alexander J., Snell, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRINGTON, ALICIA M
• Application Number:
  US10/370,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 250/559.26, 250/559.24, 250/559.27, 250/559.29, 250/231.1, 250/231.19, 250/559.4, 250/573, 418/2
• US Class Current: 250/559.29
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 1/18 with arrangements for signalling that a predetermined value of an unspecified parameter has been exceeded G01D1/14 takes precedence

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.

Claims

1. A position sensor system to detect axial movement of a rotating part comprising:

a probe positioned non-axially from the rotating part;

a surface on the rotating part for contacting the probe when the part moves a preselected axial distance; and

a sensor associated with the probe;

wherein when the rotating part contacts the probe, the sensor generates a control signal.

2. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein an annular grove is formed in the rotating part, and a portion of the probe as positioned within the groove.

3. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the rotating part is a thrust collar fixed to a shaft.

4. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the probe and the rotating part are part of an electric circuit, whereby when the rotating part contacts the probe, an electronic circuit is completed and generates a control signal.

5. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor senses the temperature of the probe.

6. The position sensor system of claim 1, when the sensor is a strain gage.

7. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the probe has a hollow tube portion of the probe in a fluid and the sensor can detect the presence of fluid in the hollow tube portion of the probe.

8. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the signal associated with the contact between the rotating part and the probe shuts down a moving system, activates a warning light, or activates an audible warning sound.

9. The position sensor system of claim 1, wherein the probe includes wrench flats.

10. The position sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of probes and associated with the rotating part, wherein the probes and pan are associated with different tolerances, so that as the rotating part moves, it will contact and activate the probes, one by one.

11. A method of detecting axial movement of a part in a system or device comprising:

positioning a probe non-axially and adjacent to but spaced from a surface of the moving part;

providing a sensor in association with the probe; and

generating a signal from the sensor when the probe and the moving part contact each other as a result of axial movement of the moving part.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal operates a warning device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal activates a control or device to shut down the system.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the moving part is a rotating part and further comprising the steps of:

forming an annular groove in the rotating part; and

planing a portion of the probe with the groove.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising completing an electronic circuit when the probe contacts the moving part.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

sensing the temperature of the probe;

wherein friction caused by contact between the probe and the moving part increases the temperature of the probe and the sensed increase provides a control signal.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing a strain gage on the probe, wherein the strain gage generates a control signal when the moving part contacts the probe.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the probe has a hollow tube portion, and further comprising the steps of:

placing the probe in an environment where the probe is surrounded by fluid;

providing a sensor for detecting fluid in the hollow tube portion of the probe; and

designing the probe to open when contacted by the moving part;

wherein the sensor generates a control signal when the contact of the moving part breaks or wears a hole in the hollow tube portion of the probe and the fluid enters the hollow tube portion of the probe and contacts the sensor for detecting fluid.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

providing a plurality of probes adjacent but spaced from corresponding surfaces of moving parts, wherein the probes and corresponding surfaces of the parts are associated with different tolerances, so that as the part moves it will contact and activate signals in the probes, one by one.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing wrench flats on the probe.

21. A position sensor system to detect movement of a rotating part, the position sensor system comprising:

a probe positioned non-axially from a rotating part, the probe having a hollow tube portion in a fluid;

a surface on the rotating part for contacting the probe when the rotating part moves a preselected distance; and

a sensor associated with the probe, the sensor being configured to detect fluid in the hollow tube portion of the probe and wherein the sensor generates a control signal in response to detecting fluid in the hollow tube portion of the probe as a result of the rotating part contacting the probe.