Abstract: A bearing lubrication (oil circulation) system having a check valve configuration for preventing overflow of an oil reservoir or tank. The pressurized oil circulation system may comprise a pump that pressurizes oil from the tank and circulates the oil through a supply conduit to a bearing, and returns the oil to the tank through a return conduit. The system may include a check valve disposed in the supply conduit and a pilot-operated check valve disposed in the return conduit. The pilot may be taken from the supply conduit upstream of the check valve disposed on the supply conduit. When pressure is discharged from the oil circulation, such as with shutdown of a circulation pump, the check valves automatically close and thus prevent oil contained in the supply and return conduits from draining (i.e., by gravity) to the oil tank. Therefore, flooding of the oil tank with excessive oil is prevented. Furthermore, loss of oil from the bearing sump is also prevented.

Abstract: An RFID tagging device is disclosed for metallic mechanical components. The device includes a support made of a non-metallic material. The support supports an RFID tag, such as a passive tag that may be applied to support as a decal or otherwise. The device may be secured to a mechanical component by any suitable fastener that may extend through a hole provided in the support. The support then holds the tag a sufficient distance from the component so that the metallic component itself does not interfere with the receipt or transmission of signals from the tag via the tag antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from motor databases, measured input electrical data, measured output data, and various estimations to account for unknown motor parameters. Compensations also may be provided for stator resistance, cable resistance, and other motor parameters. Based on the foregoing data, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor. The system and method also may establish energy and monetary comparison data between the motor and at least one alternative motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from motor databases, measured input electrical data, measured output data, and various estimations to account for unknown motor parameters. Compensations also may be provided for stator resistance, cable resistance, and other motor parameters. Based on the foregoing data, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor. The system and method also may establish energy and monetary comparison data between the motor and at least one alternative motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from motor databases, measured input electrical data, measured output data, and various estimations to account for unknown motor parameters. Compensations also may be provided for stator resistance, cable resistance, and other motor parameters. Based on the foregoing data, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor. The system and method also may establish energy and monetary comparison data between the motor and at least one alternative motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a plurality of operating parameters of a multiphase motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and electrical input data. The system and method may be used to decompose the electrical input data into a positive sequence and a negative sequence. The positive sequence may be used to establish a plurality of electrical parameters of the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be used with the positive sequence and negative sequence to establish the output power of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and motor data obtained at a single load on the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established without stator resistance data by using motor data at three load conditions of the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established from baseline motor data and motor data obtained at a desired operating load of the motor. Based on the estimated values, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor.

Abstract: The present technique, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, relates to a motorized pulley. The exemplary motorized pulley includes a rim or housing inside of which are disposed an electric motor and a gear assembly, which is configured to transfer torque of the electric motor to the housing. Thus, during operation of the motor, the exemplary pulley rotates the housing in relation to a support structure to which the motorized pulley is mounted. To improve the dissipation of heat generated during operation of the motor, the motor is thermally coupled to the frame. Additionally, the rotor shaft of the exemplary motorized pulley extends into the external environment surrounding the pulley, thereby facilitating the operation of a machine element located externally with respect to the pulley via the electric motor disposed within the pulley.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication (oil circulation) system having a check valve configuration for preventing overflow of an oil reservoir or tank. The pressurized oil circulation system may comprise a pump that pressurizes oil from the tank and circulates the oil through a supply conduit to a bearing, and returns the oil to the tank through a return conduit. The system may include a check valve disposed in the supply conduit and a pilot-operated check valve disposed in the return conduit. The pilot may be taken from the supply conduit upstream of the check valve disposed on the supply conduit. When pressure is discharged from the oil circulation, such as with shutdown of a circulation pump, the check valves automatically close and thus prevent oil contained in the supply and return conduits from draining (i.e., by gravity) to the oil tank. Therefore, flooding of the oil tank with excessive oil is prevented. Furthermore, loss of oil from the bearing sump is also prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and motor data obtained at a single load on the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established without stator resistance data by using motor data at three load conditions of the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established from baseline motor data and motor data obtained at a desired operating load of the motor. Based on the estimated values, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from motor databases, measured input electrical data, measured output data, and various estimations to account for unknown motor parameters. Compensations also may be provided for stator resistance, cable resistance, and other motor parameters. Based on the foregoing data, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor. The system and method also may establish energy and monetary comparison data between the motor and at least one alternative motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a plurality of operating parameters of a multiphase motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and electrical input data. The system and method may be used to decompose the electrical input data into a positive sequence and a negative sequence. The positive sequence may be used to establish a plurality of electrical parameters of the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be used with the positive sequence and negative sequence to establish the output power of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of a plurality of electrical parameters of a motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and electrical input data obtained with no load on the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may also be established from stator resistance data, electrical input data, and motor speed data obtained at at least two load conditions of the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may comprise rotor resistance. The system and method may also be used to estimate a plurality of operating parameters of the motor based on the estimated values of a plurality of electrical parameters of the motor. The plurality of operating parameters of a motor may comprise rotor temperature, motor torque, and motor efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of a plurality of electrical parameters of a motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and electrical input data obtained with no load on the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may also be established from stator resistance data, electrical input data, and motor speed data obtained at at least two load conditions of the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may comprise rotor resistance. The system and method may also be used to estimate a plurality of operating parameters of the motor based on the estimated values of a plurality of electrical parameters of the motor. The plurality of operating parameters of a motor may comprise rotor temperature, motor torque, and motor efficiency.

Abstract: A technique for establishing a value of a rotor parameter indirectly is provided. The rotor parameter may be electrical resistance of the rotor, rotor temperature, rotor current, rotor torque, etc. The technique may comprise obtaining other motor data and data obtained during operation of the motor directly and then using an algorithm to establish an estimated value of the rotor parameter. A system for establishing an estimated value of a rotor parameter also is provided. In addition, an electric motor having a system that is operable to establish an estimated value of a rotor parameter is provided.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus having one or more integrated load sensors for determining the load imposed on a rotatable shaft. The bearing apparatus includes a bearing housing having a bearing set, such as a bearing insert, located therein. The load sensors are preferably configured as strain gauges having resistance characteristics that vary as the bearing housing is deformed. For example, the strain gauges may be angularly spaced in an arcuate recess defined below the bearing set in the bearing housing. Preferably, circuitry is also provided to condition the deformation signal to provide an indication of loading on the shaft. The conditioning circuitry may be advantageously attached to the exterior of the bearing housing.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the operational status of a plurality of mechanical components, such as various bearings, speed reducers and the like. Each of the mechanical devices includes a respective local transmitter in electrical communication with various local sensors. Among the sensors which may be utilized are a temperature sensor and a shaft speed sensor, as well and an accelerometer for detecting vibration. The local transmitter receives information from the sensors and provides status information in a predetermined output format, such as a serial digital format. Unique electronic identifiers are assigned to respective of the local transmitters to facilitate selective communication with a central monitoring processor. As a result, the status information will be supplied to the central monitoring processor at predetermined times.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a characteristic of a dynamic member is disclosed. The system includes a sensor device operative to sense the characteristic of the dynamic member and to generate a first signal in response to the sensed characteristic. A monitor is in communication with the sensor device, the monitor wirelessly transmitting a second signal responsive to the first signal. A battery is in electrical communication with the sensor device and monitor. The sensor device charges the battery via the first signal, the battery powering the monitor.

Abstract: A misaligned conveyor belt detection assembly is provided to determine when a conveyor has become misaligned. Specifically, a conveyor belt is placed in contact with a contact apparatus that produces indications, such as heat and/or vibration that, when measured, are compared to corresponding threshold values to determine whether the conveyor belt has become misaligned. The assembly can then display a misalignment indication to a user stationed remotely from the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a take-up frame assembly that is adapted to maintain a conveyor belt under constant tension. The take-up frame assembly, in one embodiment, can include a fluid cylinder having a retractable piston. The piston is interconnected with a bearing mounted to a shaft supporting the conveyor belt. The fluid cylinder includes a fluid regulator which can be used to maintain constant pressure within the cylinder and to thus apply a constant force to the bearing. The take-up frame assembly can also be used in combination with a controller and belt alignment devices which sense the relative position of the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt falls out of alignment, the controller is capable of varying the pressure within the fluid cylinders in order to realign the belt.