Linear motion assembly with monitoring system and method of monitoring
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A linear motion assembly comprising:
- a first body;
a second body arranged for operable communication with the first body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another;
a sensor carried by at least one of the first body and the second body, the sensor being configured to detect and monitor information related to performance- indicating characteristics of the assembly;
a control module arranged in communication with the sensor and configured to monitor at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor, and further configured to detect and provide an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic;
the assembly includes a plurality of balls carried by at least one ball circulating track;
the ball circulating track includes;
a raceway portion defined between adjacent portions of the first and second bodies, anda ball return portion carried by one of the first and second bodies, the balls being free to circulate around the track as the bodies move relative to one another;
the sensor is configured and positioned to detect information related to the balls; and
in which the control module is programmed to interpret a constant signal from the sensor as indicating that a ball jam condition is present.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A linear motion assembly comprising a first body arranged for operable communication with a second body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another. At least one of the two bodies carries a sensor that detects and monitors information related to performance-indicating characteristics of the assembly. A control module is arranged in communication with the sensor and monitors at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor. The control module also detects and provides an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A linear motion assembly comprising:
-
a first body; a second body arranged for operable communication with the first body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another; a sensor carried by at least one of the first body and the second body, the sensor being configured to detect and monitor information related to performance- indicating characteristics of the assembly; a control module arranged in communication with the sensor and configured to monitor at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor, and further configured to detect and provide an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic; the assembly includes a plurality of balls carried by at least one ball circulating track; the ball circulating track includes; a raceway portion defined between adjacent portions of the first and second bodies, and a ball return portion carried by one of the first and second bodies, the balls being free to circulate around the track as the bodies move relative to one another; the sensor is configured and positioned to detect information related to the balls; and in which the control module is programmed to interpret a constant signal from the sensor as indicating that a ball jam condition is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
-
-
12. The linear motion assembly of claim in which:
the first body is a screw having a helical external groove defined by an external thread and the second body is a nut having a through-bore including a helical internal groove defined by an internal thread, the helical internal and external grooves defining the raceway portion of the ball circulating track.
-
14. A linear motion assembly comprising:
-
a first body; a second body arranged for operable communication with the first body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another; a sensor carried by at least one of the first body and the second body, the sensor being configured to detect and monitor information related to performance-indicating characteristics of the assembly; a control module arranged in communication with the sensor and configured to monitor at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor, and further configured to detect and provide an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic; and in which the assembly includes an electrical power generator supported on the same body as the sensor and connected to the sensor to power the sensor, the other body being drivingly connected to the electrical power generator through a gear train to rotationally drive the electrical power generator.
-
-
15. A linear motion assembly comprising:
-
a first body; a second body arranged for operable communication with the first body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another; a sensor carried by at least one of the first body and the second body, the sensor being configured to detect and monitor information related to performance-indicating characteristics of the assembly; a control module arranged in communication with the sensor and configured to monitor at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor, and further configured to detect and provide an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic; the assembly includes a plurality of balls carried by at least one ball circulating track; the ball circulating track includes; a raceway portion defined between adjacent portions of the first and second bodies, and a ball return portion carried by one of the first and second bodies, the balls being free to circulate around the track as the bodies move relative to one another; the sensor is configured and positioned to detect information related to the balls; and
;in which the control module is programmed to calculate and monitor decreasing ball diameters in response to a corresponding increase in ball velocity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification