Method and apparatus for monitoring actuators

US6119515A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SAMSON AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT · DE

Inventors

• Lothar Kemmler · Mörfelden, DE
• Peter Opl · Dietzenbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 1997
• Grant date: Sep 19, 2000
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/72
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operational monitoring of an actuator, which has a drive force unit that requires a characteristic time for build-up of the force, the apparatus including at least one position signal generator detecting a rest position of the actuator, a drive switch unit for actuating the drive force unit, and signal connections to an analyzing arrangement having a memory and a comparison unit so that, during operation, the time difference between the actuation of the drive switch unit and the possible response of the position signal generator allocated to the preceding rest limit position of the actuator is monitored, a comparison of the measured quantity to characteristic data deposited in the memory is implemented and a conclusion about the condition of the actuator is obtained from this analyzation.