Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct measurement of rider band wear in a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor is provided. A distance transducer probe is inserted through a compressor valve assembly to measure a distance between a piston assembly and the transducer probe and the wear of a rider band is determined based on the distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an indication of rotational position of a shaft by parameter change. The apparatus includes a resilient, serpentine-shaped middle portion, a first end portion located at one end of the middle portion, and a second end portion at another end of the middle portion. The second end portion is for location adjacent to the first end portion to permit securing of the first and second ends together subsequent to the middle portion being resiliently extended around the shaft. The serpentine-shaped middle portion is sized to be taut on the shaft and is shaped to have a plurality of undulations. The undulations providing a plurality of event members each having at least one characteristic that causes a change of a parameter that can be sensed by a sensor when the event member rotates past the sensor.

Abstract: A method of simulating attenuation of an impulse signal of a reciprocating compressor includes providing a reciprocating compressor that includes a crank connected to a motor, a compression chamber, a reciprocating piston positioned in the compression chamber, and a connecting rod attached to the piston. The method also includes connecting the connecting rod to the crank with a first crank pin, mounting at least one transducer on the reciprocating compressor, running the compressor, measuring a first impulse signal with the at least one transducer, replacing the first crank pin with a second crank pin, the second crank pin having a diameter different than the diameter of the first crank pin, running the compressor, measuring a second impulse signal with the at least one transducer, and comparing the first impulse signal to the second impulse to determine an amount of attenuation between the first and second impulse signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct measurement of rider band wear in a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor is provided. A distance transducer probe is inserted through a compressor valve assembly to measure a distance between a piston assembly and the transducer probe and the wear of a rider band is determined based on the distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an indication of rotational position of a shaft by parameter change. The apparatus includes a resilient, serpentine-shaped middle portion, a first end portion located at one end of the middle portion, and a second end portion at another end of the middle portion. The second end portion is for location adjacent to the first end portion to permit securing of the first and second ends together subsequent to the middle portion being resiliently extended around the shaft. The serpentine-shaped middle portion is sized to be taut on the shaft and is shaped to have a plurality of undulations. The undulations providing a plurality of event members each having at least one characteristic that causes a change of a parameter that can be sensed by a sensor when the event member rotates past the sensor.