Simplified resistance based belt inspection
First Claim
1. A resistance circuit for monitoring a support structure, comprising:
- a voltage input node to supply a voltage;
a first set of resistors disposed at a belt-side of the structure and configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an effective resistance of the support structure, the first set of resistors including at least one temperature-dependent resistor;
the first set of resistors including at least two resistors in series and coupled to the voltage input node, the at least two resistors in series being in parallel with the effective resistance of the support structure; and
a second set of resistors disposed at a monitor-side of the structure and configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure, the second set of resistors including at least one switched resistor having an adjustable resistance capable of selectively approximating the initial effective resistance;
wherein the first set of resistors is disposed at least partially in parallel relative to the effective resistance of the support structure and the temperature-dependent resistor is disposed in series relative to the effective resistance of the support structure, the temperature-dependent resistor being disposed in series with at least one fixed-resistance resistor, the temperature-dependent resistor and the fixed-resistance resistor being configured to approximate a temperature coefficient of a plurality of tension members disposed within the support structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A resistance circuit for monitoring a support structure is provided. The resistance circuit may include a first set of resistors disposed at a belt-side and a second set of resistors disposed at a monitor-side. The first set of resistors may be configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an effective resistance of the support structure. The first set of resistors may include at least one temperature-dependent resistor. The second set of resistors may be configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure. The second set of resistors may include at least one switched resistor having an adjustable resistance capable of selectively approximating the initial effective resistance.
45 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A resistance circuit for monitoring a support structure, comprising:
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a voltage input node to supply a voltage; a first set of resistors disposed at a belt-side of the structure and configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an effective resistance of the support structure, the first set of resistors including at least one temperature-dependent resistor; the first set of resistors including at least two resistors in series and coupled to the voltage input node, the at least two resistors in series being in parallel with the effective resistance of the support structure; and a second set of resistors disposed at a monitor-side of the structure and configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure, the second set of resistors including at least one switched resistor having an adjustable resistance capable of selectively approximating the initial effective resistance; wherein the first set of resistors is disposed at least partially in parallel relative to the effective resistance of the support structure and the temperature-dependent resistor is disposed in series relative to the effective resistance of the support structure, the temperature-dependent resistor being disposed in series with at least one fixed-resistance resistor, the temperature-dependent resistor and the fixed-resistance resistor being configured to approximate a temperature coefficient of a plurality of tension members disposed within the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A monitoring system for a support structure, comprising:
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a voltage input node to supply a voltage, the voltage applied to the support structure; a resistance circuit coupled to an effective resistance of the support structure, the resistance circuit having a first set of resistors and at least one temperature-dependent resistor disposed on a belt-side, and a second set of resistors and at least one switched resistor on a monitor-side, the second set of resistors being coupled to the voltage input node, the support structure including a plurality of tension members; the first set of resistors including at least two resistors in series and coupled to the voltage input, the at least two resistors in series being in parallel with the effective resistance of the support structure; and an interface circuit having two or more comparators coupled to the resistance circuit and configured to monitor a wear level of the support structure based on a comparison between a voltage across at least one of the first resistors and a reference voltage across at least one of the second resistors corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure, and generate one or more output signals based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for calibrating a resistance-based monitoring system for a support structure, the method comprising:
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configuring a resistance circuit that is coupled to an effective resistance of the support structure to provide a first set of resistors and at least one temperature-dependent resistor disposed on a belt-side, and a second set of resistors and a plurality of series-connected switched resistors on a monitor-side, the support structure including a plurality of tension members; the first set of resistors including at least two resistors in series and coupled to a voltage input node, the at least two resistors in series being in parallel with the effective resistance of the support structure; for each consecutive one of the series-connected switched resistors; enabling the series-connected switched resistor; comparing a resistance on the belt-side of the resistance circuit with a resistance on the monitor-side of the resistance circuit, the belt-side resistance corresponding to an effective resistance of the support structure; enabling a consecutive one of the series-connected switched resistors if the belt-side resistance is greater than the monitor-side resistance; and enabling a consecutive one of the series-connected switched resistors and disabling the series-connected switched resistor if the belt-side resistance is less than the monitor-side resistance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification