Patent Application
20250237534
Examples relate to a mount for an attachment to a valuable asset and more specifically to a mount configured to hold a sensor that monitors conditions associated with the sensor.
Sensors can be affixed to an asset to monitor the asset along with an environment associated with the asset. Typically, these sensors are directly attached to the asset in a permanent or semi-permanent manner to an outside surface of the asset. Since the sensors are directly attached to the asset in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, if replacement or reuse of the sensor is desired, removal of the sensor from the asset can be extremely difficult. By virtue of the sensor being attached to an outside surface of an asset, the sensor is exposed to the elements. This exposure can cause damage to the sensor. Moreover, since the sensor is at an exposed surface, the sensor can be physically damaged during handling of the asset. The user may also desire to replace sensors due to design changes, battery life issues or simply to stop monitoring a particular asset and then reuse the sensor elsewhere.
The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate teachings to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some examples may be included in, or substituted for, those of other examples. Teachings set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.
Examples relate to a mount that can be used to attach a sensor to an asset. The mount can include a housing defined by a base plate and side walls extending from the base plate to create a cavity that can hold the sensor. A lid can cover the cavity in a closed position such that the sensor mounted within the cavity is enclosed by the mount. The lid can include a biasing means, which can bias the sensor against the base plate such that the sensor is held firmly in place against the base plate. The mount can be configured to allow for the transmission of data from the sensor in the form of wires, magnetic waves or RF signals when the sensor is inside the mount. The wires can transmit data to a remote location when the sensor is tracking conditions associated with the casing or an asset disposed within the casing. In particular, the lid, which can include through holes, can rest on a top surface of the side walls. In examples where the sensor transmits signals via a wired connection, the wires can traverse from the inside of the mount to the outside via the through holes when the sensor is disposed within the housing. A gap can exist between the lid and the top surface of the side walls when the lid is in a closed position. The gap can allow for the transmission of data.
The lid can couple with the housing in a variety of ways. The lid can couple with the at least one side wall using a hinge where the lid can move between an open position and a closed position relative to the cavity via the hinge. As will be described further on, the lid, the hinge, and the at least one side wall can form a unitary structure. The lid can couple with the housing via tabs extending therefrom that can engage recesses formed in the side walls. Gaps can be formed between the tabs and the side wall recesses, which can allow for the transmission of data from the sensor within the cavity. The lid can also rest over the top surface of the side walls or between the side walls.
The biasing means can include a compression spring that can extend between a surface of the lid and the sensor when the sensor is disposed within the cavity and apply a compressive force against the sensor. The biasing means can be unitary with the lid. The biasing means can also include support members that can extend between a surface of the lid and the sensor when the sensor is disposed within the cavity and apply a compressive force against the sensor. Moreover, the lid can include a lip that can function to bias the sensor against the base plate when the lid is coupled with the housing.
Now making reference to
The mount 100 can include a housing 200 (
The mount 100 can be formed of a polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or any other type of material. Moreover, as will be discussed further below, the mount 100 can be formed of iron, steel, aluminum or other metal in cases where temperature transfer or other variables are optimized by the mount's material. In instances where the mount 100 is formed of a polymer or nylon, the mount 100 can be formed with an injection molding process or any other suitable process.
The mount 100 can also include a lid 204 that can couple with one of the side walls 300 in order to enclose the sensor 400 within the cavity 302 and the housing 200. Sensor support mechanisms 304 can extend from a bottom surface of the lid 204 towards a bottom surface 402 of the base plate 104. The sensor support mechanism 304 can be a biasing means that functions to bias the sensor 400 against the bottom surface 402 along a longitudinal direction Y. The sensor support mechanism 304 can be an arm formed of a material that can apply a force against the sensor 400 when the lid 204 is secured against the housing 200. Examples of materials can include a polymer such as PET, nylon, metal spring or any other type of material that can bias the sensor 400 towards the bottom surface 402 when the lid 204 is secured to the housing 200.
When the sensor support mechanism 304 biases the sensor 400 against the bottom surface 402 along the longitudinal direction Y, the sensor support mechanism 304 can bias the sensor 400 in a lateral direction X and a lateral direction Z, thereby rigidly holding the sensor 400 in place against the bottom surface 402. Therefore, if the mount 100 is subjected to extreme dynamic forces, such as the casing 102 falling or being subjected to other types of impact loads when the mount 100 is attached to the casing 102, the sensor support mechanism 304 holds the sensor 400 against the bottom surface 402. Furthermore, by rigidly biasing the sensor 400 against the bottom surface, any type of vibration, shock, or any other dynamic force is transmitted to the sensor 400 via the bottom surface 402, thereby minimizing data loss between the casing 102 or an asset and the sensor 400. Specifically, biasing the sensor 400 against the bottom surface can facilitate direct readings of vibration and/or shock imparted to the casing 102 and assets.
The sensor support mechanism 304 can also offset different manufacturing tolerances between different portions of the mount. Thus, if the housing 200 has a five percent tolerance and the lid 204 has a five percent tolerance, which could stack up to a ten percent tolerance, by virtue of being bias able, the sensor support mechanism 304 can offset tolerance stack-ups.
The lid 204 can include a tab 306 that can engage with a recess 308 of the side wall 300. The tab 306 can engage with the side wall recess 308 as shown in
By virtue of having the seam 310 and the gap 504 formed at the seam 310 along with the gaps 506 and 508 and the passageways 312, the mount 100 can be configured to permit transmission of data from the sensor 400 and through the mount 100. The sensor 400 can send signals to a location remote to the sensor 400 that is manned to monitor conditions of the casing 102 and, in particular, assets enclosed within the casing 102. Furthermore, in instances where the sensor 400 is attached directly to an asset, personnel at the remote location can directly monitor conditions associated with asset. The sensor 400 can establish a communications link, either directly or indirectly, with the remote location. The sensor 400 can operate in a frequency range of 30 MHz to 30 GHz with wavelengths in a range between 10 mm and 1 cm when a RF communication link is established between the sensor 400 and the remote location. Furthermore, in RF communications, L-band communications can be provided from 1,618.725 MHz to 1,626.5 MHz.
Furthermore, if the sensor 400 is local to a recipient of the data collected by the sensor 400, the sensor 400 can transmit the data via a wired or any suitable local wireless techniques, such as Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, a wireless data network (e.g., WiFi network or WiMax network), or the like.
Alternatively, the sensor 400 can operate in a frequency range of 30 KHz-900 KHz with wavelengths between 10 km to 1 km when a magnetic communication link is established between the sensor 400 and the remote location. In the magnetic band, the signals can easily penetrate through buildings, walls, and metal commonly found in harsh environments.
The magnetic waves or the RF signals can exit the mount 100 through the gaps 504-508 and the passageways 312. Moreover, the gaps 504-508 and the passageways 312 allow transmissions from the sensor 400 to be agnostic of a material of the mount 100. Thus, the mount 100 along with the base plate 104, the side walls 300, and the lid 204 can be formed from any material, such as a metal, including iron, that typically would interfere with magnetic wave or RF signal transmissions. In wired configurations the mount can provide holes for wires to be routed from the sensor to a larger system.
In addition to the fastener holes 202, the mount 100 can include strap passageways 206, which can be used to attach the mount 100 to the casing 102. A strap can be fed through the strap passageways 206 and around the casing 102. As such, the mount 100 can be secured to the casing 102.
The mount 100 can also be configured to attach to a surface having a curved surface. A housing nesting tray 600 can be attached to a bottom surface of the base plate 104 as shown in
In order to account for the difference between the radius R1 and the radius R2, making reference to
In addition to enclosing the cavity 302 with the lid 204, alternatively, the mount 100 can include a lid 1000 that encloses the cavity 302, as shown with reference to
When the lid 1000 is secured with the housing 200 in a closed position, the lid 1000 can rest on the side walls 1004 and form seams 1006 and 1008. At the seam 1006, as shown with reference to
Furthermore, the mount 100 can include a lid 1300 that encloses the cavity 302, as shown with reference to
When the lid 1300 is secured with the housing 200, seams 1306 and 1308 can be formed between the lid 1300 and the side wall 1004. The seam 1306 can define a gap 1500 between a side surface 1502 of the lid 1300 and an inner surface 1504 of the side wall 1004, as shown with reference to
The biasing means in the mount can also include a compression spring extending from the lid and into the cavity when the lid is in a closed position relative to the housing, as shown with reference to
The mount 1600 can include a coupling mechanism 1614, which can facilitate coupling of the lid 1606 with the housing 1608. The coupling mechanism 1614 can be a hinge, which couples the lid 1606 to the housing 1608. However, examples are not limited to a hinge. The coupling mechanism 1614 can be any type of mechanism that facilitates coupling the lid 1606 with the housing 1608 while at the same time, as will be discussed further on, allows for the manufacturing of the mount 1600 in a single process. Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 1614 can be a flexure-based compliant mechanism, flexure-based compliant connection, or a strap-based segmented or non-segmented connection method. In addition, the coupling mechanism 1614 can be a rotatable axle-based connection by way of a post and barrel connection joint.
The mount 1600 can be formed during a single manufacturing process where the biasing means 1602, the lid 1606, the housing 1608, the housing side walls 1610, the housing bottom surface 1612, and the coupling mechanism 1614 are formed using an additive manufacturing process, such as three-dimensional printing, or the like. In addition, the mount 1600 can be formed from a single material, such as any type of basic polymer, composite polymer, or metal, such as a carbon or glass filled nylon, carbon or glass filled PET, ABS, PET-G, PEI, PEEK/PEKK, Aluminum Alloy, or any other type of material that lends itself to a single manufacturing process. Additionally, the lid 1606 can also include passageways 1618 that can function to vent a cavity 1616 when the lid 1606 is secured to the housing 1608 in a closed position in order to maintain atmospheric equilibrium. In an alternative embodiment the mount includes only the aforementioned base which is affixed to the asset. The base can have a means of attachment to the sensor such as straps, spring arms with barbs, two-sided tape with less adhesion than the base to asset adhesion, hook-n-loop, etc.
The biasing means 1602, the lid 1606, and the coupling mechanism 1614 can form a unitary structure. In particular, since each of the biasing means 1602, the lid 1606, and the coupling mechanism 1614 can be formed with an additive manufacturing process, the biasing means 1602 can be formed with the lid bottom surface 1604 as shown at 1700 in
Similar to the mount 100, when in a closed position, the mount 1600 can include seams that allow for the transmission of data of a sensor, such as the sensor 400, from within the cavity 1616 formed by the housing 1608. As shown with reference to
The mount 1600 can include fastener holes 1620, which, similar to the fastener holes 202, can be used to attach the mount 1600 to a casing, such as the casing 102. Moreover, the fastener holes 1620 can be used to attach the mount 1600 directly to an asset. In addition, the mount 1600 can couple with the housing nesting tray 600 when the mount 1600 is to be used with a casing having a curved surface, as discussed above.
In further examples, the sidewalls of the mount can be configured to hold the sensor within the housing. The sidewalls could be tapered such that an interference fit is provided between the sidewalls and the sensor. Here, the side walls can taper towards the base plate in order to provide the interference fit. Furthermore, the side walls could include barbs that extend from the side walls. The bards can be configured to compress against the sensor when the sensor is disposed within the housing. In addition, the sidewalls could be spaced such that the sensor is held in place via a frictional fit. In these examples, the support mechanism can include the barbs.
Example 1 is a mount for housing a sensor, the mount comprising: a housing having a base plate and a plurality of side walls extending from the base plate to form a cavity, the base plate being configured to couple the mount with a surface of a casing; a lid coupled with a first side wall of the plurality of side walls, the lid having at least one through hole, wherein a gap is formed between a portion of the lid and a second side wall of the plurality of side walls when the lid is coupled with the first side wall, the gap and the at least one through hole being configured to permit transmission of data from the sensor and through the mount; a hinge coupled with the lid and the first side wall of the plurality of side walls; and a compression spring extending from a bottom surface of the lid toward the base plate, the compression spring configured to bias the sensor against the base plate in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, wherein the lid and the compression spring form a unitary structure, wherein when the sensor is disposed within the cavity, the sensor being configured to transmit the data in the form of magnetic waves or RF signals through the gap and the at least one through hole to a remote location when the sensor tracks a condition associated with the casing or an asset disposed within the casing.
In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 includes, wherein the lid rests on the second side wall of the plurality of side walls and forms a seam in a closed position and the gap is formed at the seam.
In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1-2 includes, a nesting tray having a first a surface and a second surface that opposes the first surface, the first surface configured to engage with the base plate and the second surface having a first radius configured to engage with the surface, the surface having a second radius different from the first surface.
Example 4 is a system to implement of any of Examples 1-3.
Example 5 is a method to implement of any of Examples 1-3.
Example 6 is a mount for housing a sensor, the mount comprising: a housing having a base plate and a plurality of side walls extending from the base plate to form a cavity configured to hold the sensor, the base plate and the plurality of side walls being formed from iron, the base plate being configured to couple the mount with a surface; a lid coupled with a first side wall of the plurality of side walls and resting on a second side wall of the plurality of side walls, the lid including: at least one through hole, wherein a gap is formed between a portion of the lid and the second side wall of the plurality of side walls when the lid is coupled with the second side wall, the gap and the at least one through hole being configured to permit transmission of data from the sensor and through the mount; and a tab where the second side wall includes, a recess configured to hold the tab; and a support mechanism extending from a bottom surface of the lid toward the base plate, the support mechanism configured to bias the sensor against the base plate in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.
In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 includes, a nesting tray having a first a surface and a second surface that opposes the first surface, the first surface configured to engage with the base plate and the second surface having a first radius configured to engage with the surface, the surface having a second radius different from the first surface, wherein when the sensor is disposed within the cavity, the sensor being configured to transmit the data in the form of wired signals through wires that traverse from inside the mount to outside the mount thru at least one through hole to a remote location when the sensor tracks a condition associated with a casing to which the housing is attached or an asset disposed within the casing.
In Example 8, the subject matter of Examples 6-7 includes, wherein a second gap is formed between the tab and the side wall recess when the tab is disposed within the side wall recess, the second gap being configured to permit the transmission of the data from the sensor and through the mount.
Example 9 is a system to implement of any of Examples 6-8.
Example 10 is a method to implement of any of Examples 6-8.
Example 11 is a mount for housing a sensor, the mount comprising: a housing having a base plate and a plurality of side walls extending from the base plate to form a cavity configured to hold the sensor, the base plate being configured to couple the mount with a surface; a lid coupled with a first side wall of the plurality of side walls, the lid having at least one through hole, wherein a gap is formed between a portion of the lid and a second side wall of the plurality of side walls when the lid is coupled with the first side wall, the gap and the at least one through hole being configured to permit transmission of data from the sensor and through the mount; and a support mechanism disposed within the housing, the support mechanism configured to bias the sensor against the base plate in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.
In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 includes, a nesting tray having a first surface and a second surface that opposes the first surface, the first surface configured to engage with the base plate and the second surface having a first radius configured to engage with the surface, the surface having a second radius different from the first surface.
In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 11-12 includes, wherein the base plate includes a through hole at a portion of the base plate that extends beyond the second side wall of the plurality of side walls, the base plate through hole configured to receive a fastener for fastening the base plate to the surface.
In Example 14, the subject matter of Examples 11-13 includes, a hinge coupled with the first side wall of the plurality of side walls, wherein the lid, the hinge, and the support mechanism form a unitary structure.
In Example 15, the subject matter of Examples 11-14 includes, wherein the support mechanism extends from a bottom surface of the lid toward the base plate and is a compression spring that extends from the bottom surface of the lid.
In Example 16, the subject matter of Examples 11-15 includes, wherein the lid rests on the plurality of side walls and forms a seam in a closed position and the gap is formed at the seam.
In Example 17, the subject matter of Examples 11-16 includes, wherein the lid rests on the plurality of side walls and forms a seam in a closed position and the gap is formed at the seam.
In Example 18, the subject matter of Examples 11-17 includes, wherein the lid includes a tab and the second side wall of the plurality of side walls includes a recess configured to hold the tab.
In Example 19, the subject matter of Examples 11-18 includes, wherein a second gap is formed between the tab and the side wall recess when the tab is disposed within the side wall recess, the second gap being configured to permit the transmission of the data from the sensor and through the mount.
In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 11-19 includes, wherein the support mechanism is an arm extending from a bottom surface of the lid towards the base plate.
In Example 21, the subject matter of Examples 11-20 includes, wherein the lid rests on the second side wall of the plurality of side walls and the support mechanism is a lip that extends from a bottom surface of the lid.
In Example 22, the subject matter of Examples 11-21 includes, wherein the base plate and the plurality of side walls are formed from metal.
In Example 23, the subject matter of Examples 11-22 includes, wherein the side walls taper inward at the base plate and form the support mechanism.
In Example 24, the subject matter of Examples 11-23 includes, wherein the plurality of sidewalls includes barbs extending from the side walls, the barbs being configured to compress against the sensor when the sensor is disposed within the housing
Example 25 is a system to implement of any of Examples 11-24.
Example 26 is a method to implement of any of Examples 11-24.
Although teachings have been described with reference to specific example teachings, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these teachings without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the teachings. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific teachings in which the subject matter may be practiced. The teachings illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other teachings may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various teachings is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
