Patent ID: 6735486
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A side load detection and protection system for use with rotatable systems subject to undesired side loading, the rotatable system having a rotation mechanism driven by a pressurized media flowing along a flow path, the side load monitoring system comprising:a first pressure sensor operable to generate a first load signal corresponding to a first magnitude of the media pressure at a first location within the flow path; a second pressure sensor operable to generate a second load signal corresponding to a second magnitude of the media pressure at a second location within the flow path; and a controller operable to calculate the amount of side load as a function of the difference between the first load signal and the second load signal, to determine whether the side load exceeds a first pre-established limiting side load value, and, if so, to communicate a warning, and to determine whether the side load exceeds a second pre-established limiting side load value, which is different from the first pre-established limiting side load value, and, if so, to communicate the warning.