Wireless appliance vibration sensor monitor and method

• US 9,836,945 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Bermel, Kramer, Mark, Sample, John, Wilfred Tucker
• Original Assignee: Christopher Bermel, Kramer, Mark, Sample, John, Wilfred Tucker
• Inventors: Kramer, Mark, Tucker, Wilfred, Sample, John, Bermel, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/690,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20170162028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 340669, 3405451, 340511, 3405456, 340614, 340630, 34042616, 3405681, 340633, 3405728, 3406935, 3406937, 34069312, 600587
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/00 Measuring characteristics of vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector G01H9/00, G01H11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/003 of rotating machines G01H1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/12 of longitudinal or not specified vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25186 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37432 Detected by accelerometer, piezo electric
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/187 Machine fault alarms

Abstract

The apparatus disclosed is a wireless vibration sensor monitor and recorder along with the associated system and method of use. The apparatus contains a digital accelerometer that operates off six axes. The apparatus may also include features such as a temperature sensor and ambient light sensor. The system actively monitors time and battery voltage level, as well as records information pertinent to the health of the apparatus. Once affixed to an appliance or piece of machinery, the apparatus monitors the duration of the cycle and the vibrations produced to compile a cycle profile. Once the apparatus has determined the cycle or predetermined period to be complete, a notification is sent to a remote user. This signal may be received by any compatible Bluetooth low energy device.

Claims

1. A wireless vibration sensor comprising:

an external casing, the external casing having at least two sections with the at least two sections connected to one another forming an internal compartment housing an accelerometer, a wireless transceiver, a microcontroller, and a power source,

wherein a sealing ring is disposed on a surface of one of the at least two sections of the external casing, and

wherein a recess is disposed on an exterior surface of an underside of the external casing; and

a carrier, the carrier having a first tab and a second tab,

wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to releasably engage the external casing.

2. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor.

3. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor.

4. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the carrier further comprises a third tab, the third tab having an aperture.

5. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the at least one first tab and at least one second tab have a recess disposed thereon.

6. The sensor of claim 2 wherein a sensitivity of the temperature sensor is user configurable.

7. The sensor of claim 3 wherein a sensitivity of the light sensor is user configurable.

8. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising at least two protrusions on an exterior surface of the external casing.

9. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the accelerometer is a digital accelerometer operating on six axes.

10. The sensor of claim 9 wherein a sensitivity of the accelerometer is user configurable.

11. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising at least one configurable button.

12. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising at least one light emitting diode.

13. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the external casing comprises an IP68 compliant plastic.

14. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a support tab affixed to an interior surface of the external casing.

15. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising at least two metal contact pins protruding from an interior surface of the external casing.

20. A method of using a wireless vibration sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching the wireless vibration sensor of claim 1 to a desired appliance;

setting a vibration sensitivity level of the wireless vibration sensor to correspond to an operational vibration pattern of the desired appliance;

monitoring the operational vibration pattern of the desired appliance over a first time period; and

sending a wireless signal to an electronic device upon the operational vibration pattern meeting a first threshold.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the wireless vibration sensor is directly attached to the desired appliance with an adhesive.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the vibration sensitivity level is configured to be set via the electronic device.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the first threshold of the operational vibration pattern signifies a completion of an operational cycle of the desired appliance.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein software of the wireless vibration sensor is updated wirelessly.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the wireless signal contains a data packet comprising time, battery voltage, sensitivity, appliance health, light, tilt, analog input, or temperature information.

16. An appliance monitoring system comprising:

a wireless vibration sensor being coupled to an appliance, the wireless vibration sensor having an external casing, the external casing having at least two sections with the at least two sections coupled to one another and housing an accelerometer, a wireless transceiver, a microcontroller, two metal contact pins, and a power source,

wherein a sealing ring is disposed on a surface of one of the at least two sections of the external casing, and

wherein a recess is disposed on an underside of the external casing; and

a carrier, the carrier having a first tab and a second tab,

wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to releasably engage the external casing; and

an electronic device configured to establish a wireless communication connection with the wireless vibration sensor;

wherein the wireless vibration sensor is configured to send a first signal to the electronic device upon completion of an operational cycle of the appliance;

wherein the wireless vibration sensor is configured to send a second signal to the electronic device upon the presence of a voltage differential between the two metal contact pins.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the voltage differential indicates the presence of a liquid within the exterior casing.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless vibration sensor communicates with the electronic device over the 2.4 GHz microwave band spectrum.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the wireless vibration sensor employs secured encrypted point-to-point communication and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) communication.