Security Operating Systems, Inc.

T & R Solutions, Inc.

Scientific Operating Systems, Inc.

Southern Valve Service, Inc.

Thomas R Bernard

Charles C Smith

Jan Mark Bullock

Raoul W Robert

Ronald H Drushel

Described is a device (,) for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having an aperture sized and configured to receive a grease fitting. The device includes temperature sensing components (,) or vibration sensing components (,), or both, to enable detection of impending bearing failure, and is adapted to either replace or supplement conventional grease fittings (,). The device is configured so as to cooperate with bearings housings of widely divergent dimensions, and in each case to permit adjustment of the device, including the sensing components thereof, to place it in very close proximity to the bearing.

Sensory fitting for monitoring bearing performance

A torque/position transducer is positioned between the valve stem of a valve and a valve operator adapted to open and close the valve and includes a body section including an input lug adapted for mating the engagement with the output lug of the valve operator and an output lug adapted for mating the engagement with the valve stem of the valve. A pair of strain gauges are mounted on the body of the torque/position transducer and function to generate an output signal indicative of the amount of torque necessary to open or close the valve. The body further includes a cam secured to the body section. A magnet is positioned in movable contact with the cam. A magneto-resistive sensor senses the movement of the magnet as the cam varies the distance from said magnet to said sensor and generates a signal indicative of the position of the valve stem with respect to the valve under the action of the valve operator.

Torque/position transducer

Described is a device for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having an aperture sized and configured to receive a grease fitting. The device includes a temperature sensing component or a vibration sensing components, or both, to enable detection of impending bearing failure, and is adapted to either replace or supplement conventional grease fittings.

'Smart' enclosure units which not only isolate electronic printers from the surrounding atmosphere but prevent explosion hazardous conditions from arising when retrieving output from the printers are described. The units comprise a first pressurizable chamber for housing an electronic printer which transforms received input electronic signals into printout copy which emerges from the printer; and a second pressurizable chamber contiguous with the first chamber for receiving, through a portal located between the chambers, printout copy from the printer as the printout copy emerges from the printer. The second chamber has a door enabling an operator to periodically remove printout copy from the second chamber. A closure for the portal when open permits printout copy to pass from the printer into the second chamber. When closed, this closure seals off the first chamber from the second chamber. A pressurized atmosphere of innocuous gas is maintained in the first and second chambers when the door is in closed position and the closure is open, and a pressurized atmosphere of innocuous gas is maintained in the first chamber when the closure is in closed position. Control means permits operation of the printer when the door is in closed position and the closure is open, but prevents operation of the printer when the door is open.

Printer enclosure and controller unit

A torque/position transducer is positioned between the valve stem of a valve and a valve operator adapted to open and close the valve and includes a body including an input lug adapted for mating the engagement with the output lug of the valve operator and an output lug adapted for mating the engagement with the valve stem of the valve. A plurality of strain gauges are mounted on the body of the torque/position transducer and function to generate an output signal indicate of the amount of torque necessary to open or close the valve. The torque/position transducer further includes a movable ring secured to the body for rotation therewith under the action of the valve operator and a fixed ring rotatably received on a reduced diameter portion of the movable ring and secured against rotation under the action of the valve operator. An infrared signal generator on the movable ring directs a signal into engagement with a reflective tape on the fixed ring which is reflected to an infrared detector also mounted on the movable ring to generate an output indicative of the positioning of the valve under the action of the valve operator.

Growing community of inventors

Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Thomas R Bernard