Claims:We Claim:

1. A system (100) for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft (110) and a moving equipment, the system (100) comprising:
a housing (101) coupled to the rotating shaft (110), wherein the housing (101) is defined with a provision to accommodate a magnet (102) configured to create a first magnetic field,
a temposonic device (103) comprising a waveguide (104) configured to receive a current pulse to create a second magnetic field, wherein the waveguide is positioned vicinity of the magnet (102), eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the shaft (110);
wherein, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, interact to produce a strain pulse; and
a processing unit (108) communicatively coupled to the temposonic device (103), the processing unit (108) is configured to determine an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet (102), which corresponds to the axial position of the rotating shaft (110).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (101) is positioned along a circumference of the shaft (110).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet (102) is a ring magnet, positioned concentrically along the housing (101).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waveguide (104) is a magneto strictive waveguide.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a display unit (109) communicatively coupled to the processing unit (108), wherein the processing unit (108) is configured to indicate the axial position of the rotating shaft (110) through the display unit (109).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (108) is configured to:
compare, determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) with a predetermined threshold limit; and
generate, an alert signal, when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) is beyond predetermined threshold limit, wherein the alert signal is indicated through an alerting unit.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a power source to provide the current pulse to the waveguide for generating the second magnetic field.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (101) is in pair with provision to accommodate magnets defining a gap.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 8, wherein the magnet (102) is in pair and is accommodated in the housing (101).
10. A method for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft (110), the method comprising:
positioning, a magnet (102) in a provision defined in a housing (101) mounted at one end of the shaft (110), to create a first magnetic field;
positioning, a waveguide of a temposonic device (103) in a vicinity of the magnet (102), eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the shaft (110);
energising, the waveguide by providing a current pulse, to create a second magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field interact, to produce a strain pulse; and
determining, by a processing unit (108), an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet (102), which corresponds to axial position of the rotating shaft (110).
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, comprises generating an alert signal, when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) is beyond predetermined threshold limit, the alert signal is indicated through an alerting unit.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the magnet (102) is a ring magnet, positioned concentrically with the housing (101).
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the current pulse is provided to the waveguide, by a power source.

Dated this 24th day of February 2021

Gopinath A S
IN/PA-1852
of K&S Partners
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE: “A SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AN AXIAL POSITION OF A ROTATING SHAFT AND A MOVING EQUIPMENT”

Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA STEEL LIMITED, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India 831001.

Nationality: INDIAN

The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure in general relates to a system for determining position of an object. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system for determining position of a rotating shaft and a moving equipment . Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the system for determining axial position of the rotating the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many modern-day machines include shafts which are coupled between driving and driven members for transmitting the power, or to perform other functions. Such shafts are rotated at higher speeds for performing desired tasks. Generally, one end of the shaft may be connected to a driving machine and another end is coupled to a driven member for achieving the intended function. Some of these conventional shafts are equipped with an encoder at one end to determine rotational speed of the shaft. Further, the shaft is supported by bearings such as thrust bearings, to facilitate smooth rotation of the shaft. During rotation of the shaft at high speeds, shift in axis of rotation of the shaft occurs due to loads induced on the shaft and excessive clearance between the shaft and the bearings. This shift in rotational axis (i.e., termed as floating in the art), is detrimental to the bearings, leading to failure of the bearings, which is undesired. Hence, it would be desirous to determine shift in rotational axis (i.e., float) of the shaft.

Considering the above, it is inevitable to determine the float of the shaft during rotation. Accordingly, several techniques have been developed in the art to determine the same. Conventional techniques include usage of a dial gauge which is of a direct contact type, to determine shift in axis of rotation of the shaft. However, a mechanical plunger of the dial gauge may fail frequently because of less reliability. With advancements in the technology, non-contact type devices have developed and one such device is an eddy current type. However, such non-contact type fails to determine the float accurately and is not suitable for determining float of the shaft. Further, the configuration of the conventional float determining devices would not facilitate in equipping the float determining devices at the encoder side of the shaft, due to space constraints and thus leading to inaccurate determination, as equipping the float determining devices at the encoder side would improve the accuracy of measurement.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by system and a method as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus and system as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment, a system for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft is disclosed. The system includes a housing coupled to the rotating shaft. The housing is defined with a provision to accommodate magnet configured to create a first magnetic field. Further, the system includes a temposonic device comprising a waveguide, which is configured to receive a current pulse to create a second magnetic field. The waveguide is positioned in vicinity of the magnet, eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the shaft. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, interact to produce a strain pulse. Furthermore, the system includes a processing unit, communicatively coupled to the temposonic device. The processing unit is configured to determine an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet, which corresponds to the axial position of the rotating shaft.

In an embodiment, the housing is positioned along a circumference of the shaft.
In an embodiment, the magnet is a ring magnet, positioned concentrically within the housing defining the gap.
In an embodiment, the waveguide is a magento strictive waveguide.
In an embodiment, the system includes a display unit communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the processing unit is configured to indicate the axial position of the rotating shaft through the display unit.
In an embodiment, the processing unit is configured to compare, the determined axial position of the rotating shaft with a predetermined threshold limit, and generate, an alert signal, when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft is beyond predetermined threshold limit, wherein the alert signal is indicated through an alerting unit.
In an embodiment, a power source to provide the current pulse to the waveguide for generating the second magnetic field.
In an embodiment, the housing is in pair with provision to accommodate magnets defining a gap.
In an embodiment, the magnet is in pair and is accommodated in the housing.
In another non-limiting embodiment, a method for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft is disclosed. The method includes positioning, the magnet in a provision defined in a housing mounted at one end of the shaft, to create a first magnetic field. Further, the method includes positioning, a waveguide of a temposonic device in vicinity of the magnet, eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the shaft. Furthermore, the method includes energising, the waveguide by providing a current pulse, to create a second magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field interact, to produce a strain pulse. Additionally, the method includes determining, by a processing unit, an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet, which corresponds to axial position of the rotating shaft.

In an embodiment, the method includes generating an alert signal through an alerting unit, when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft is beyond predetermined threshold limit.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a device having a rotating shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system equipped at an end of a rotating shaft, for determining an axial position of the rotating shaft, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 3 illustrates a side view of the system of Figure. 2.

Figure. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the system of Figure. 2.

Figure. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method for determining an axial position of the rotating shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the apparatus and system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent apparatus and systems depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to operation of the apparatus and system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft and the moving equipment. In an embodiment, the system may be adapted in a device or a machine which requires precise operation, and which demands for accurate measurement of float of the rotating shaft and the moving equipment. Conventional techniques, to determine shift in axis (i.e., the float) of the rotating shaft, include usage of a dial gauge which is of a direct contact type. However, a mechanical plunger of the dial gauge may fail frequently because of less reliability. Further, non-contact type devices have been developed and one such device is an eddy current type. However, such non-contact type fail to determine the float accurately. Further, the configuration of the conventional float determining devices would not facilitate in equipping the float determining devices at the encoder side, due to space constraints and thus leading to inaccurate determination, as equipping the float determining devices at the encoder side would improve the accuracy of measurement. Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a system for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft on a dynamic basis i.e., in real time conditions accurately and precisely. The system may be equipped at the encoder side of the rotating shaft.

The system for determining an axial position of a rotating shaft, may include a housing coupled to the rotating shaft. The housing may be defined with a provision to accommodate the magnet, which may be configured to create a first magnetic field. Further, the system includes a temposonic device. The temposonic device includes a waveguide, which may be positioned vicinity of the magnet, eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the rotating shaft. In other words, the waveguide may be positioned vicinity to the magnet at a position offset to the rotational axis A-A of the rotating shaft. The waveguide is configured to receive a current pulse to create a second magnetic field. The generated first magnetic field and the second magnetic field interact to produce a strain pulse. Furthermore, the system includes a processing unit which may be communicatively coupled to the temposonic device. The processing unit is configured to determine an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet, which correspond to the axial position of the rotating shaft. The processing unit may further be configured to compare determined axial position of the rotating shaft with a predetermined threshold limit, and generate an alert signal, when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft is beyond the predetermined threshold limit. Thus, the configuration aids in positioning the system eccentric to the rotational axis A-A, facilitating accurate determination of the axial position of the rotating shaft continuously in real time condition, thus ensuring safety of the thrust bearings supporting the shafts.

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the disclosure are explained with reference to accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Figure. 1 is a schematic view of a device (105) including a shaft (110), which may be operated at desired speeds. As seen in Figure. 1, the device (105) may include a driving machine (107) [i.e., a motor] to which the shaft (110) may be coupled. Further, the shaft (110) may be supported by a plurality of bearings (106), typically thrust bearings. The plurality of bearings (106) aids in smooth rotation of the shaft (110), corresponding to operation of the driving machine (107). During rotation of the shaft (110), an axis of rotation of the rotating shaft (110) may shift due to forces induced on the rotating shaft (110) and excessive clearance. This shift of the axis of rotation beyond the threshold may cause failure of the thrust bearings, which is undesired. Accordingly, a system (100) for determining an axial position of the rotating shaft (110) is disclosed.
Figures. 2 and 3 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrating a perspective view and a side view of the system (100) for determining the axial position of the rotating shaft (110). The system (100) may broadly include a housing (101), which may be coupled to an end of the rotating shaft (110), and a magnet (102) which may be accommodated within the housing (101). In an embodiment, the magnet (102) may be but not limiting to a ring magnet and may be configured to create a first magnetic field. The magnet (102) is in pair and may be accommodated in the housing (101). In an illustrated embodiment, the housing (101) may include a circular profile and U-shaped configuration [best seen in Figure. 4] such that, the housing (101) may be positioned along a circumference of the end of the rotating shaft (110). The U-shaped configuration may define a provision, which may be configured to concentrically accommodate the magnet (102) within the housing (101). However, the same cannot be construed as a limitation, since the housing (101) may include any other geometrical configuration, based on the requirement.
In an embodiment, the housing (101) may be coupled to the end of the rotating shaft (110) by one of a mechanical joining process such as but not limiting to fasteners. In some embodiments, the housing (101) may be thermally joined to the end of the rotating shaft (110).
In an embodiment, as seen in Figures. 1 to 3 an encoder may be positioned at the end of the shaft (110), which is configured to determine rotational speed of the shaft (110) and the encoder operates independent to the operation of the system (100) of the present disclosure.
Further referring to Figures. 2 and 3, the system (100) may also include a temposonic device (103), which may be supported by a stand/base (111). The temposonic device (103) may include a waveguide, which may be positioned vicinity of the magnet (102), eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the rotating shaft (110). In an embodiment, the waveguide may be a magneto strictive waveguide and may be configured to receive a current pulses to create a second magnetic field. As an example, the current pulse may be provided by a power source, such as but not limiting to a battery. Furthermore, the system (100) may include a processing unit (108), which may be communicatively coupled to the temposonic device (103). The processing unit (108) may be configured to determine axial position of the rotating shaft (110), based on interaction of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, which will be described in the following sections of the present disclosure. As seen in Figure. 3, the system (100) may include a display unit (109), which may be communicatively coupled to the processing unit (108). In an embodiment, the display unit (109) may be wirelessly coupled to the processing unit (108). The display unit (109) may be configured to indicate the axial position of the rotating shaft (110), determined by the processing unit (108) in a readable format for the operator. In some embodiment, the display unit (109) may indicate the axial deviation, in the form a graphical wave.
During rotation of the shaft (110) the first magnetic field created by the magnet (102) and the second magnetic field created by the waveguide may interact to each other to produce a strain pulse. In an embodiment, the magneto strictive waveguide are transition metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. In these metals, 3d electron shell is not completely filled, which allows the formation of a magnetic moment (i.e., the shells closer to the nucleus than the 3d shell are complete, and they do not contribute to the magnetic moment). As electron spins are rotated by a magnetic field, coupling between the electron spin and electron orbit causes electron energies to change. The crystal then strains so that electrons at the surface can relax to states of lower energy. When a material has positive magnetostriction, it enlarges when placed in a magnetic field and with negative magnetostriction, the material shrinks. Since applying a magnetic field causes stress that changes the physical properties of a magnetostrictive material.
When an axial magnetic field is applied to a magnetostrictive waveguide, and a current is passed through the wire, a twisting occurs at the location of the axial magnetic field. The twisting is caused by interaction of the axial magnetic field, usually from a permanent magnet, with the magnetic field along the magnetostrictive wire, which is present due to the current in the wire. The magnetic field intensity is also greatest at the wire surface. This aids in developing the waveguide twist. Since the current is applied as a pulse, the mechanical twisting travels in the wire as an ultrasonic wave.
In an embodiment, the strain pulse may travel at sonic speed along the waveguide and may be detected by the temposonic device. The processing unit (108) may be configured to determine an elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse, to determine position of the magnet (102). In an embodiment, the position of the magnet (102) may correspond to the axial position of the rotating shaft (110). Further, the processing unit (108) may be configured to compare the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) with a predetermined threshold limit, which may be stored in a memory unit [not shown in figures]. In an embodiment, if the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) exceeds beyond the predetermined threshold limit [i.e. stored in the memory unit], an alert signal may be indicated through an alerting unit such as but not limiting to audio signal, visual signal or audio-visual signal. Thus, the processing unit (108) continuously determines the axial position of the rotating shaft (110) in real time condition and provides the alert signal to the operator and thus, ensures safety of the thrust bearings.
Figure. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for determining an axial position of the rotating shaft (110). At block 201, the magnet (102) may be positioned in the provision defined in the housing (101), which may be coupled at one end of the rotating shaft (110). The magnet (102) may create a first magnetic field. At block 202, the waveguide of the temposonic device (103) may be positioned vicinity of the magnet (102), eccentric to rotational axis A-A of the rotating shaft (110). Further, the method includes energising the waveguide by providing a current pulse to create a second magnetic field [as seen in block 203].
At block 204, during rotation of the shaft (110), the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field may interact to produce a strain pulse. Further at block 205, the processing unit (108) may determine the elapsed time between application of the current pulse and arrival of the strain pulse to determine position of the magnet (102). The position of the magnet (102) corresponds to the axial position of the rotating shaft (110). Additionally, at block 206, the method includes comparing the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) with the predetermined threshold value and generate the alert signal through an alerting device (105), when the determined axial position of the rotating shaft (110) is beyond predetermined threshold limit.
In an embodiment, the system (100) includes minimum number of components, making the system (100) compact and easy to assemble.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the system (100) aids in positioning the system (100) eccentric to the rotational axis A-A of the rotating shaft (110), at the encoder side for accurately determining the axial position of the rotating shaft (110).

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Referral Numerals Description
100 System
101 Housing
102 Magnet
103 Temposonic device
104 Waveguide
105 Device
106 Bearings
107 Driving machine
108 Processing unit
109 Display unit
110 Shaft
111 Stand
112 Encoder