Sealless pump rotor position and bearing monitor
US5955880A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C17/246
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bearing monitor for use with a canned motor pump having a wound stator and a rotor drivably coupled to an impeller, the rotor being mounted on radial journal bearings and axial thrust bearings within a containment can comprises a first and a second target embedded in an outer periphery of the rotor in axial proximity to a first and a second end of the rotor. The monitor includes a plurality of sensors mounted external to the containment can in axial proximity to each of the two targets and radially displaced approximately equally around the periphery of the containment can. A plurality of magnetic field generators create local magnetic fields coupled through the containment can, process fluid, rotor, and at least a portion of one target to one of the sensors. In response to each field, each sensor generates an output signal which varies as a result in a change in the magnetic circuit reluctance caused by bearing wear. A monitor circuit is coupled to the sensors and compares their output signals to generate a scaled output which is approximately linearly related to bearing wear. The output of sensors in the same axial plane are utilized to determine bearing wear in a radial direct…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.