System and method for monitoring vibration isolators

• US 9,238,393 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Gillies, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, Laura
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US13/613,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20130061666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 736/43, 731/170.3, 735/97, 736/55, 736/57
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1162 directly mounted on the suspension arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/91 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/94 Deformation of a vehicle part
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/14 Photo or light sensitive means, e.g. Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 99/002 Suspension details of the suspension of the vehicle body on the vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/16 for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/081 by using a contact-less detection method, i.e. with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/04 Suspension or damping

Abstract

A system may monitor a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part. The system may include a light source, an optical sensor mounted to receive light from the light source, and a processing unit for providing an output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection based on the output of the optical sensor.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a vibration isolating connection between a first part and a second part, the system comprising:

a light source configured to generate light based upon a plurality of different modulation frequencies, and interleave the plurality of different modulation frequencies;

a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) optical sensor configured to receive the light from said light source; and

a processor configured to provide an output indicative of deformation of the vibration isolating connection based upon an output of said SPAD optical sensor and the plurality of different modulation frequencies.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a laser diode.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a housing carrying said light source and said SPAD optical sensor therein.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the vibration isolating connection comprises a bushing.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source and said SPAD optical sensor are mounted on the first part.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said light source is mounted adjacent said SPAD optical sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a single housing carrying said light source and said SPAD optical sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source is mounted on the first part and said SPAD optical sensor is mounted on the second part.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source and said SPAD optical sensor are mounted on the first part;

and further comprising a light guide mounted on the second part and configured to direct light from said light source to said SPAD optical sensor.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said light guide comprises a mirror.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said SPAD optical sensor and said light source are mounted within the vibration isolating connection.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said SPAD optical sensor comprises a plurality thereof.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a first memory coupled to said processor and configured to store the output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second memory coupled to said processor and configured to store information about the vibration isolating connection.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said processor is configured to compare the information in said second memory with the output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said processor is configured to generate a warning signal when the output indicative of the deformation of the vibration isolating connection exceeds a predetermined range based upon the information in said second memory.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said second memory is removable.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said second memory is configured to communicate with an external processor.

19. A vehicle comprising:

first and second parts;

a vibration isolating connection between said first part and said second part; and

a device configured to monitor said vibration isolating connection and comprising

a light source configured to generate light based upon a plurality of different modulation frequencies, and interleave the plurality of different modulation frequencies,

a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) optical sensor configured to receive the light from said light source, and

a processor configured to provide an output indicative of deformation of the vibration isolating connection based upon an output of said SPAD optical sensor and the plurality of different modulation frequencies.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein said light source comprises a laser diode.

21. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein said device further comprises a housing carrying said light source and said SPAD optical sensor therein.

22. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein said vibration isolating connection comprises a bushing.

23. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein said light source and said SPAD optical sensor are mounted on said first part.