Brush holder having RFID temperature sensor system

• US 9,013,087 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Fish, William Earl, Scalzo, Frank Austin III, Steinbach, Albert Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): KENERLY, TERRANCE L
• Application Number:
  US14/456,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20140346931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 310/248, 310/249, 310/239
• US Class Current: 310/239
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 13/00 Lamps having an incandescent body which is substantially non-conductive until heated, e.g. Nernst lamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/58 Means structurally associated with the current collector for indicating condition thereof, e.g. for indicating brush wear
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/25 Devices for sensing temperature, or actuated thereby
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/35 Devices for recording or transmitting machine parameters, e.g. memory chips or radio transmitters for diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 13/00 Structural associations of current collectors with motors or generators, e.g. brush mounting plates or connections to windings supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders in motor casings or enclosures H02K5/14; Disposition of current collectors in motors or generators; Arrangements for improving commutation
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/14 Means for supporting or protecting brushes or brush holders

Abstract

An apparatus including: a brush holder; a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including: a temperature sensor system for determining temperature(s) at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder; and a transmitter for providing indication of the temperature(s).

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a brush holder for holding a brush, wherein the brush holder includes a window; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including;

a temperature sensor system for determining temperatures at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder, the temperature sensor system including at least one temperature sensor; and

a RFID transmitter for providing an indication of the temperatures the temperature sensor system including a temperature sensor at each of the distinct locations on the brush holder, wherein a first one of the distinct locations is proximate the window, and a second one of the distinct locations is proximate a bottom of the brush holder, wherein the temperature sensor proximate the window detects a temperature change caused by a flow of air through the window as the brush wears.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an RFID receiver for receiving the indication of temperatures differential from the RFID device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the RFID device further comprising a wear sensor for indicating wear in the brush within the brush holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the temperature sensors is directly on one or more faces of the brush holder.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a brush holder for holding a brush; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device affixed to the brush holder, the RFID device including;

a temperature sensor system for determining temperatures at one or more distinct locations on the brush holder,

the temperature sensor system including at least one temperature sensor, wherein the brush holder includes a window, and wherein the brush is for contacting a commutator;

a RFID transmitter for providing an indication of the temperatures; and

a wear sensor for indicating wear in the brush within the brush holder.