Monitoring and controlling system with connectorless quick-change components
First Claim
1. A monitoring and controlling system, comprising:
- a primary transceiver;
a sensor connected to the primary transceiver, the sensor being capable of detecting an operating characteristic of a monitored component and sending a signal that reflects the detected operating characteristics to the primary transceiver;
a secondary transceiver, the secondary transceiver having the ability to communicate with the primary transceiver without physical connections to the primary transceiver, and the secondary transceiver having the ability to provide an electrical power input to the primary transceiver without physical connections to the primary transceiver; and
a monitoring network capable of communicating with the primary transceiver and the secondary transceiver.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring and controlling system for monitoring and controlling various operating characteristics of machine components. The monitoring and controlling system includes a primary transceiver, with sensors and control devices, mounted integrally with the monitored component. The primary transceiver communicates with a secondary transceiver and receives its electrical power from the secondary transceiver without use of interconnecting communication or power cables. The integrated mounting of the primary transceiver and sensors within the monitored component without the use of interconnecting cables allows for replacement of the monitored component in harsh operating environments without the risk of damage to interconnecting electrical connectors and cables. The operating data detected by the sensor for the monitored component is communicated by the primary transceiver and the secondary transceiver to a monitoring network which analyzes the data to determine the need for maintenance of the monitored component.
15 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A monitoring and controlling system, comprising:
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a primary transceiver;
a sensor connected to the primary transceiver, the sensor being capable of detecting an operating characteristic of a monitored component and sending a signal that reflects the detected operating characteristics to the primary transceiver;
a secondary transceiver, the secondary transceiver having the ability to communicate with the primary transceiver without physical connections to the primary transceiver, and the secondary transceiver having the ability to provide an electrical power input to the primary transceiver without physical connections to the primary transceiver; and
a monitoring network capable of communicating with the primary transceiver and the secondary transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
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14. A process of monitoring and controlling a component, said process comprising:
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a. sensing an operating characteristic of a monitored component;
b. producing a signal that reflects the operating characteristic of the monitored component;
c. sending the signal to a primary transceiver;
d. sending a transmission instruction to the primary transceiver instructing the primary transceiver to transmit the signal;
e. transmitting the signal from the primary transceiver by a radio frequency transmission to a secondary transceiver;
f. receiving the radio frequency transmission signal at the secondary transceiver at a location separate from, but near to, the monitored component;
g. transmitting the signal from the secondary transceiver to a monitoring network; and
h. using the signal so received to assess a need for a maintenance task or a control function required for the monitored component.
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19. A millstand for rolling metal shapes, said millstand comprising:
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a housing having a window lined with side faces;
a chock located within the window and having side faces presented toward the side faces on the housing;
a roll supported on the housing and having a body and a roll neck at the end of the body, with the roll neck extending into the chock;
an antifriction bearing located between the roll neck and the chock for enabling the roll to rotate relative to the chock and the housing, the antifriction bearing including an outer race fitted into the chock, an inner race fitted around the roll neck, and rolling elements located between the inner and outer races;
at least one sensor carried by the chock for sensing an operating condition of the antifriction bearing;
a chock transceiver carried by the chock capable of producing radio frequency signals that reflect conditions detected by the at least one sensor, and also capable of receiving radio frequency signals; and
a millstand transceiver positioned adjacent to the chock and being capable of transmitting radio signals to the chock transceiver and receiving radio frequency signals produced by the chock transceiver.
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29. The combination comprising:
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a roll having a body and a neck at the end of the body;
a chock receiving the neck;
an antifriction bearing located between the roll neck and the chock for enabling the roll to rotate relative to the chock, the bearing including an outer race fitted to the chock, an inner race fitted around the roll neck, and rolling elements located in at least one row between the inner and outer races;
a sensor carried by the chock and having the capacity to detect an operating condition of the antifriction bearing; and
a chock transceiver carried by the chock and being connected with the sensor, the chock transceiver being capable of producing and transmitting a radio frequency signal that reflects the operating condition of the antifriction bearing as detected by the sensor.
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33. A process of monitoring and controlling the operation of a roll neck antifriction bearing that is fitted to a chock located in a housing of a millstand, said process comprising:
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a. at the chock, sensing an operating characteristic of the roll neck antifriction bearing;
b. from within the chock, producing a radio frequency signal that reflects the operating characteristic of the roll neck antifriction bearing;
c. receiving the radio frequency signal at a location remote from chock; and
d. using the radio frequency signal so received to assess a need for a maintenance task required for the roll neck antifriction bearing. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A millstand for rolling metal shapes, said millstand comprising:
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a housing having a window lined with side faces;
a chock located within the window and having side faces presented toward the side faces on the housing;
a roll supported on the housing and having a body and a roll neck at the end of the body, with the roll neck extending into the chock;
an antifriction bearing located between the roll neck and the chock for enabling the roll to rotate relative to the chock and the housing, the antifriction bearing including an outer race fitted into the chock, an inner race fitted around the roll neck, and rolling elements located between the inner and outer races;
sensors carried by the chock for sensing an operating condition of the antifriction bearing;
a chock transceiver carried by the chock capable of producing radio frequency signals that reflect conditions detected by the sensors, and also capable of receiving radio frequency signals;
a millstand transceiver positioned adjacent to the chock and being capable of transmitting radio signals to the chock transceiver and receiving radio frequency signals produced by the chock transceiver; and
a pass through enclosure positioned between, and in general alignment with, the chock transceiver and the millstand transceiver, the pass through enclosure being capable of transferring or relaying the radio frequency signals transmitted between the chock transceiver and the millstand transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification