Method and apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption in a

Abstract

Power saving features are employed in a machine monitor to reduce electrical power consumption and increase the life of an electrical power source (such as a battery) which is used to power the monitor. The monitor includes a microcomputer having a high operating speed and a low operating speed. Power consumption is reduced by placing the microprocessor in a low-power sleep mode when full power capabilities of the microprocessor are not needed. Power consumption is further reduced by operating the microprocessor at the low operating speed when a high operating speed is not needed. The monitor also includes a communications port in electrical communication with the microcomputer for communicating with a peripheral device, and sensors for sensing machine characteristics such as speed, temperature, flux, or vibration. Power switches are employed to remove electrical power from portions of the monitor electronics that are not being used or are not needed, and a DC/DC converter maximizes the amount of electrical power available for use by the monitor electronics. Power consumption is further reduced by the manner in which the monitor processes vibration signals to compute machine speed.