Degradation detection system for a hose assembly

• US 8,515,687 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss A/S
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Pereira, Luis R., Pier, B. Thomas, Bhadkamkar, Atul S., Gungor, Vehbi C., Rentel, Carlos H., Stark, Jason D., Smith, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Armand, Marc
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUAREZ, FELIX E
• Application Number:
  US12/579,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20100174495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 702/34, 702/36, 702/45, 702/47, 702/51, 702/82, 702/179, 702/182, 702/188, 702/189, 731/46, 138/104, 380/270, 422/518
• US Class Current: 702/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/127 electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/01 specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0025 of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways G01M5/0058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0033 by determining damage, crack or wear
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0083 by measuring variation of impedance, e.g. resistance, capacitance, induction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/20 Investigating the presence of flaws
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/75 by polling or interrogating the sub-stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A hose fault detection system includes a hose assembly including a hose having first and second conductive layers. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. A fault detector is in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers. The fault detector includes an indicator operatively connected to the hose assembly. A method for monitoring the structural integrity of a hose assembly includes providing a fault detection system having a hose assembly including a hose having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic of the hose assembly is compared to a threshold value. A visual indicator in operative communication with the hose assembly is illuminated when the electrical characteristic goes beyond the threshold value.

Claims

1. A hose fault detection system comprising:

a hose assembly including a hose having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein the hose assembly has an electrical characteristic; and

a fault detector in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers;

wherein the fault detector is configured to detect the electrical characteristic;

wherein the fault detector includes a first visual indicator operatively connected to the hose assembly and a second visual indicator;

wherein the first visual indicator is configured to illuminate when the detected electrical characteristic corresponds to the hose assembly being capable of operating; and

wherein the second visual indicator is configured to illuminate when the detected electrical characteristic corresponds to the hose assembly having an impending failure.

2. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second visual indicator is configured to be disposed at a location remote from the hose assembly.

3. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fault detector is a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

4. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fault detector further includes a reader in operative communication with the RFID system.

5. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the reader includes the visual indicator.

6. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the RFID system includes a first circuit, an RFID tag, and a first antenna;

and

wherein the reader includes a second circuit having a second antenna, a processing center, and a failure indicator.

7. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the RFID tag includes a first power supply, a signal conditioner, a digital processing unit, a memory, and a modulator;

and

wherein the first antenna includes a first capacitor operatively connected to a first coil.

8. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second antenna includes a second capacitor and a second coil;

and

wherein the processing center includes a demodulator, a modulator, a second power supply, a baseband processor, a comparator, and a DC power supply.

9. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fault detector is a microcontroller device having a sensor, a signal conditioner, and a memory and processing unit;

wherein the sensor is configured to continuously sense the electrical characteristic of the hose assembly.

10. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor is configured to continuously sense the electrical characteristic of the hose assembly.