Wireless Appliance Vibration Sensor Monitor And Method

• US 20170162028A1
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Published: 06/08/2017
• 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: Sample, John, Bermel, Christopher, Kramer, Mark, Tucker, Wilfred
• Granted Patent: US 9,836,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 and monitor comprising:

an external casing, the external casing having at least two sections with the at least two sections connected to one another forming a hollow interior and housing an accelerometer, a printed circuit board, a wireless low power transceiver, an application microcontroller, and a battery.

2. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor.

3. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor.

4. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 further comprising a carrier.

5. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 4 wherein the carrier has at least one fingernail release tab.

6. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 2 wherein the sensitivity of the temperature sensor is user configurable.

7. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 3 wherein the sensitivity of the light sensor is user configurable.

8. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 wherein the sensitivity of the analog input is user configurable.

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

10. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 9 wherein the sensitivity of the accelerometer is user configurable.

11. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 further comprising at least one configurable button.

12. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED).

13. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 1 wherein the external casing comprises IP68 compliant plastic.

14. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 13 wherein at least one tab protrudes from the external surface of the external casing.

15. The wireless vibration sensor and monitor of claim 14 wherein at least two analog to digital converting (ADC) metal contact pins protrude from the interior surface of the external casing.

16. An appliance monitoring system comprising:

a wireless vibration sensor and monitor, the wireless vibration sensor and monitor having an external casing, the external casing having at least two sections with the at least two sections connected to one another and housing an accelerometer, a printed circuit board, a wireless low power transceiver, an application microcontroller, and a battery; and

a Bluetooth low energy device by which a remote user can interact with and communicate with the wireless vibration sensor and monitor.

17. The appliance monitoring system of claim 16 wherein the Bluetooth low energy device is a smart phone.

18. The appliance monitoring system of claim 16 wherein the system operates over the 2.4 GHz microwave band spectrum.

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

20. A method of using a wireless vibration sensor and monitor comprising:

attaching the wireless vibration sensor and monitor to a desired appliance;

setting the vibration sensitivity level to correspond to the desired appliance;

monitoring the vibration level and active time period; and

sending a wireless signal to a dedicated Bluetooth low energy device upon meeting predetermined thresholds.

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

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the remote user can set or change the sensitivity settings.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein software enables the remote user to configure the settings wirelessly.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the software may be 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.