| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus and method with the capability to monitor endless belts and related belt drive systems by non-contact sensors for wear or an anomalous function, determining the state of belt drive system and detecting early stages of belt and system failure. A sensing unit featuring one or several independent sensor elements is placed adjacent to or in proximity of the belt, thereby monitoring several simultaneously occurring normal modes of operation of the belt. The sensor can determine soundness of the whole timing drive continuously by processing the collected signal and detecting structural damage. The collected data is processed by a microcontroller integrated with the sensor. The apparatus and method for monitoring endless belts for wear or anomalous function uses a non- contacting capacitor array comprised of one or several sensing elements placed adjacent to or in proximity of the belt and connected to electronic circuitry that is particularly adapted to sense the dynamic capacitance change coupled with electrocapacitive and piezoelectric effects exhibited by the belt. The apparatus is further capable of monitoring drive components related to the belt by detecting if the belt is affected by the anomalous function of the related components. The sensor continuously monitors the belt during normal operation of the belt drive. The sensor is particularly adapted to sense the belts currently used in workshop, industrial and automotive applications and feature a polymer matrix with a fiber cord load bearing core.</p> |
