Motor run timer

• US 6,822,930 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas E. Falgout Sr
• Original Assignee: Thomas E. Falgout Sr
• Inventors: Falgout, Thomas E. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US09/892,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20030161218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 368/1, 368/5-10, 368/107, 368/110, 368/113
• US Class Current: 368/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

A timer is enclosed in a pressure tight enclosure which is attached to or is part of the motor rotor. Rotation of the rotor is sensed and the timer is turned on when the rotor is turning and is turned off when the rotor is idle. The version usable in motors of the progressing cavity type can power the timer, and provide timer control.

Claims

1. A motor run-time totalizer, responsive to the rotation of an associated motor, having a rotor, to indicate the amount of time the rotor has been rotating, the apparatus comprising:

a) a housing arranged for attachment to the rotor

b) a timer, in said housing, that will indicate the total accumulated run time that occurs while it is turned on;

c) a sensor means, in said housing, to sense the rotation of the rotor and to turn the timer on when the motor is running and turn it off when the motor is not running said sensor is a pendulum free to rotate about the axis of the rotor, the rotation of the pendulum relative to the rotor axis being sensed to start and stop said timer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said timer is a spring powered chronograph.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotation of the pendulum moves a movement conducting element to start and stop the time accumulation by said timer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotor axis orbits the centerline of said motor, said sensor being a pendulum free to rotate about said axis, power to drive said timer being extracted from the rotation of said pendulum relative to said rotor axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said power to drive said timer is delivered to a spring arranged to drive said timer.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said power to drive said timer is delivered to said timer through a slip clutch arranged such that when the pendulum ceases to deliver said power the timer stops running.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said timer is battery powered, said sensor arranged to switch the timer on and off.