Paul A Vaughn

US Patent:

59444894, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Jun 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/872751

Inventors:

Paul E. Vaughn - Lumberville PA
James Lobach - Downingtown PA
Edward W. Mattes - Warrington PA

Assignee:

Crane Co. - Warrington PA

International Classification:

F04B 4906
F04B 1700

US Classification:

417 441

Abstract:

A fluid pump includes main support bearings for supporting the impeller shaft and back-up bearings for supporting the shaft upon failure of the main support bearings. The back-up bearings are positioned between the main support bearings and shaft driver/motor, and have a radial clearance with the shaft which is greater than the radial clearance between the main support bearings and shaft and yet is small enough to prevent any shards that may result from failure of the main support bearings from passing through the radial clearance space between the back-up bearings and shaft and damaging other rotating parts of the pump. A diagnostic monitor detects wear or failure of the main support bearings by sensing relative shaft displacement. Also, a controller causes the driver to shut down when a predetermined amount of allowable wear of the main support bearings is reached.

US Patent:

56964447, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Mar 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/206461

Inventors:

Ronald William Kipp - Croydon PA
Steven Anthony Marinelli - Langhorne PA
Paul Eugene Vaughn - Lumberville PA
Wayne Alan Fearn - Warminster PA

Assignee:

Crane Co. - Warrington PA
Kingsbury, Inc. - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G01B 714
G01B 730
G01D 520
G01D 512

US Classification:

32420732

Abstract:

A system for sensing an axial and radial position of a body rotating about an axis independent of the rotational position of the body. The system includes at least one inductive sensor positioned in proximity to the body. A material forming part of the body effects a variation in the output of the inductive sensor as a function of axial and/or radial movement of the body relative to the axis. Output circuitry analyzes the output of the inductive sensor to produce a system output indicative of the axial and/or radial movement independent of the rotational position of the body.

US Patent:

61077941, Aug 22, 2000

Filed:

Oct 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/941985

Inventors:

Ronald William Kipp - Croydon PA
Steven Anthony Marinelli - Langhorne PA
Paul Eugene Vaughn - Lumberville PA
Wayne Alan Fearn - Warminster PA

Assignee:

Crane Co. - Warrington PA
Kingsbury, Inc. - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G01B 714
G01B 730
G01D 520
G01D 512

US Classification:

32420723

Abstract:

A system for sensing a position of a body rotating about an axis, the system including at least one inductive sensor positioned in proximity to the body, each of the at least one inductive sensor providing an output; material forming part of the body for effecting a variation in the output of the at least one inductive sensor as a function of axial movement of the body relative to the axis; circuitry for analyzing the output of the at least one inductive sensor to produce a system output indicative of the axial movement.