Abstract:
A sensor housing system is used to monitor the lifetime of a motor or other device. A protected housing shields a microprocessor and several sensors. The device communicates to a user information about the health of the motor or other device using thermal, vibrational, or other measurements. The information is compared to a baseline which provides a warning threshold. Once the threshold is passed, the microprocessor can alert the user that the motor or other device is about to fail.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/191,925, filed Jul. 13, 2015; from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/220,738, filed Sep. 18, 2015; from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/269,703, filed Dec. 18, 2015; from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/298,796, filed Feb. 23, 2016; from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/327,861, filed Apr. 26, 2016; and from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/342,046, filed May 26, 2016 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present description relates generally to sensor mounting and more particularly to various methods and apparatus for securing a sensor to a monitored device. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Some system components are key to continued product operation or manufacturing processes. When these key components break down, the impact could be expensive, intolerable financial loss to a business, or threat to human safety. Monitoring systems could mitigate the damage from critical component failure by providing automated alerts and triggering mitigating actions. For example, an automated sensing system could detect the failure of a motor in a manufacturing line, send alerts to the key people interested in the failure, switch in a failover system with a working motor, and/or trigger an automated order for a new part. Furthermore, a system that monitors the health of a motor or other key device collects data over time and learns what a failing device looks like. For instance, the monitoring system can detect changes in the health of the device, predict failure before it occurs, discern the cause, automatically recommend mitigating steps, alert people who can take or approve action, or automatically switch in a failover system before failure actually occurs. 
         [0004]    While system monitoring of various mechanical components is oftentimes desired, very few known operating components are currently manufactured with built-in monitoring capabilities. Thus, the ability to provide a portable and/or selective monitoring system is beneficial. Still further, in various aging system manufactured and/or installed prior to sensor technology, or in system where the sensors have failed, the ability to retrofit components with monitoring systems is highly desirable. 
         [0005]    The secure attachment of such monitoring systems oftentimes presents challenges when one or more sensors are involved, when the device the sensors are monitoring is a metal moving or vibrating part, or when the monitored device operates in a rugged environment. Typically, it is desirable for the attachment mechanism to be secure enough to stay fixed on a device which is moving or vibrating, be rugged enough to withstand physical extremes common in extreme environments or in device failure situations (dirt/oil, corrosive materials, high heat, moisture, vibration/noise, turbulence, electrical current, radiation, etc.), be able to releasably and repeatedly attach to various metal surfaces with ease, be able to attach a variety of sensors to the device (heat, temperature, vibration, current, acceleration, light, pH, gas, pressure, pulse, camera, microphone, etc.) be able to protect the sensors from harm, attach the sensors effectively without damaging or modifying the metallic surface, or potentially voiding the device warranty (no screws, bolts, or adhesives), and/or attach the sensors to a variety of device shapes, including flat surfaces and various curvatures. 
         [0006]    One example sensor monitoring device includes a wireless vibration and temperature monitoring device marketed by Banner Engineering in Minneapolis, Minn. The Banner device professes to provide a wireless vibration and temperature monitoring device for use with a variety of machines including motors, pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, and gear boxes. The monitoring device may be mounted to the monitored device through one of a mounting bracket or a magnet housing. As described, the monitoring device provides local indication, sends a signal to a central location, and collects data via a Gateway. 
         [0007]    While the above-referenced devices may work for their intended purposes, there is an identifiable need for various methods and apparatus for securing a sensor to a monitored device as recited in the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates in block diagram form components of an example computer network environment suitable for implementing the example methods and systems disclosed. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is perspective view of an example mounting device according to the teachings of this disclosure with solid links. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 2A  showing its underside. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is top view of the mounting device of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2D  is side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2E  is bottom view of the mounting device of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2F  shows a perspective view of an example mounting device with a woven band. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2G  illustrates another example mounting device with a woven band. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2H  is a perspective view of the underside of a mounting device shown in  FIG. 2A  with a sensor installed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of an example mounting device with a mounting plate. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a front side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the mounting device of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3D  is a right side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3E  is a perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a mounting device as shown in  FIG. 3A  with removable sensor housings attached in a front side view. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a right side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4E  is a top view of the mounting device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4F  is a front side view of another version of mounting device showing a different attachment mechanism for the sensor housing. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the sensor housing shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5C  is a back side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the body of the sensor housing of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 6B  is a front side view of the body of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  is an alternative example sensor housing also shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom view of the alternative sensor housing of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 7C  is a front side view of the alternative sensor housing of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 7D  is a cross sectional view of the alternative sensor housing of  FIG. 7A  taken along line  7 D- 7 D in  FIG. 7C . 
           [0039]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of another example of the sensor housing showing the attachment and locking mechanism first shown in  FIG. 4F . 
           [0040]      FIG. 8B  is a bottom view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0041]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a center link of the mounting device shown in  FIG. 4F . 
           [0042]      FIG. 9B  is a front side view of the mounting link of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0043]      FIG. 9C  is a bottom view of the mounting link of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0044]      FIG. 9D  is a back side view of the mounting link of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0045]      FIG. 9E  is a top view of the mounting link of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0046]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the example mounting device first shown in  FIG. 4F  without the sensor housing. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10B  is a bottom view of the mounting device of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0048]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the mounting foot for use with the mounting device shown in  FIG. 10A . 
           [0049]      FIG. 11B  is a front side view of the mounting foot of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 11C  is a bottom view of the mounting foot of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 12A  is another example mounting device with an integrated sensor housing. 
           [0052]      FIG. 12B  is a top view of the mounting device of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0053]      FIG. 12C  is a front side view of the mounting device of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0054]      FIG. 12D  is a bottom view of the mounting device of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0055]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of an another example sensor housing. 
           [0056]      FIG. 13B  is a bottom view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0057]      FIG. 13C  is a right side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0058]      FIG. 13D  is a front side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 13A . 
           [0059]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of an another example sensor housing. 
           [0060]      FIG. 14B  is a front view of the body of the sensor housing of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0061]      FIG. 14C  is a cross-sectional view of the body of the sensor housing of  FIG. 14A  taken along. 
           [0062]      FIG. 14D  is a perspective view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 14A . 
           [0063]      FIG. 15  is a view of the cap of the sensor housing shown in  FIG. 14A   
           [0064]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of another example of the sensor housing. 
           [0065]      FIG. 16B  is a front side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0066]      FIG. 16C  is a right side view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0067]      FIG. 16D  is a top view of the sensor housing of  FIG. 16A . 
           [0068]      FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of another example of the sensor housing. 
           [0069]      FIG. 17B  is a bottom view of the body of the sensor housing of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0070]      FIG. 17C  is a bottom view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0071]      FIG. 17D  is a front side view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0072]      FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of another example of the sensor housing. 
           [0073]      FIG. 18B  is a bottom view of the body of the sensor housing of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0074]      FIG. 18C  is a bottom view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0075]      FIG. 18D  is a front side view of the cover of the sensor housing of  FIG. 18A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0076]    The following description of example methods and apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead, the following description is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings. 
         [0077]    One example of a mounting device  10 A is illustrated in  FIG. 2A-2E , one use of the example device  10 A is as follows. The device  10 A includes at least one sensor connected to an internal or external specialized computing device with a memory. In some versions, the device  10 A communicates with an external computer via a wired or wireless connection. In others, the device contains a protected microcontroller of its own. This mounting device  10 A is used to monitor the sensors&#39; data output regarding another device, such as a motor (not shown), in order to communicate the results to a user. This data can be delivered either live through a specialized display device or saved for later review on the computing device&#39;s memory. 
         [0078]    This device  10 A can be used either by the device manufacturer to generate specifications or on site to develop the baseline using the included sensors. The baseline can be prepared from the other models of the motor or approximated with operating data from other similar devices by size, power, torque, or other features. With this baseline, this allows the user to set custom or universal threshold conditions that can alert a user to the impending failure of their motor or other device. Performance data is collected and used to generate information on the failure states of an individual monitored model of the motor which provides different results for normal operation and warning signs of impending failure. Current performance data is compared to historical performance data and prepared baseline performance data of this motor or other device. Quick changes in readings, deviations from normal operating parameters, and known levels which cause problems can be used as thresholds for each sensor reading. When these thresholds are reached the microprocessor can use its transceiver or a wired connection to alert a user or other device by executing a preset command. A user can customize the microprocessor to use its transceiver to communicate to a variety of devices such as a motor controller, a remote display, or an external personal computer. One example use of this would be a failsafe system where the motor controller is sent a signal to shut down if its temperature threshold is reached. These thresholds and triggered alerts or signals can be modified by the user in order to make his system behave appropriately to the local conditions. 
         [0079]    With reference to the figures, and more particularly, with reference to  FIG. 1 , the following discloses an example system  110  as well as other example systems and methods for providing monitoring (e.g. classification, assessment, diagnosis, etc.) of motors or other devices on a networked and/or standalone computer, such as a personal computer, tablet, or mobile device. To this end, a processing device  120 ″, illustrated in the exemplary form of a mobile communication device, a processing device  120 ′, illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer system, and a processing device  120  illustrated in schematic form, are provided with executable instructions to, for example, provide a means for a user, e.g., an operator, mechanic, technician, etc., to access a host system server  168  and, among other things, be connected to a hosted location, e.g., a website, mobile application, central application, data repository, etc. 
         [0080]    Generally, the computer executable instructions reside in program modules which may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processing devices  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be embodied in any device having the ability to execute instructions such as, by way of example, a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a personal-digital assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a tablet, an e-reader, or the like. Furthermore, while described and illustrated in the context of a single processing device  120 ,  120 ′,  120 ″ those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the various tasks described hereinafter may be practiced in a distributed environment having multiple processing devices linked via a local or wide-area network whereby the executable instructions may be associated with and/or executed by one or more of multiple processing devices. 
         [0081]    For performing the various tasks in accordance with the executable instructions, the example processing device  120  includes a processing unit  122  and a system memory  124  which may be linked via a bus  126 . Without limitation, the bus  126  may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. As needed for any particular purpose, the system memory  124  may include read only memory (ROM)  128  and/or random access memory (RAM)  130 . Additional memory devices may also be made accessible to the processing device  120  by means of, for example, a hard disk drive interface  132 , a magnetic disk drive interface  134 , and/or an optical disk drive interface  136 . As will be understood, these devices, which would be linked to the system bus  126 , respectively allow for reading from and writing to a hard disk  38 , reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk  140 , and for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  142 , such as a CD/DVD ROM or other optical media. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable media allow for the nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the processing device  120 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that other types of non-transitory computer-readable media that can store data and/or instructions may be used for this same purpose. Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, cloud based storage devices, and other read/write and/or read-only memories. 
         [0082]    A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of the memory/media devices. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS)  144 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the processing device  120 , such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM  128 . Similarly, the RAM  130 , hard drive  138 , and/or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computer executable instructions comprising an operating system  146 , one or more applications programs  148  (such as a Web browser, mobile application, etc.), other program modules  150 , and/or program data  152 . Still further, computer-executable instructions may be downloaded to one or more of the computing devices as needed, for example via a network connection. 
         [0083]    To allow a user to enter commands and information into the processing device  120 , input devices such as a keyboard  154 , a pointing device  156  are provided. In addition, allow a user to enter and/or record sounds into the processing device  120 , the input device may be a microphone  157  or other suitable device. Still further, while not illustrated, other input devices may include a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, touchpad, touch screen, motion sensor, etc. These and other input devices would typically be connected to the processing unit  22  by means of an interface  158  which, in turn, would be coupled to the bus  26 . Input devices may be connected to the processor  122  using interfaces such as, for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, a universal serial bus (USB), etc. To view information from the processing device  120 , a monitor  160  or other type of display device may also be connected to the bus  126  via an interface, such as a video adapter  162 . In addition to the monitor  160 , the processing device  120  may also include other peripheral output devices, such as, for example, speakers  153 , cameras, printers, or other suitable device. 
         [0084]    As noted, the processing device  120  may also utilize logical connections to one or more remote processing devices, such as the host system server  168  having associated data repository  168 A. The example data repository  168 A may include any data on the monitored device including, for example, model identity and specifications, previous or live performance data, expected failure states, compiled baseline information etc. In this example, the data repository  168 A includes a repository of at least one of specific or general performance data related to device functioning. For instance, the repository may include performance data on a motor and an aggregation of such recordings as desired. 
         [0085]    In this regard, while the host system server  168  has been illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer, it will be appreciated that the host system server  168  may, like processing device  120 , be any type of device having processing capabilities. Again, it will be appreciated that the host system server  168  need not be implemented as a single device but may be implemented in a manner such that the tasks performed by the host system server  168  are distributed amongst a plurality of processing devices/databases located at different geographical locations and linked through a communication network. Additionally, the host system server  168  may have logical connections to other third party systems via a network  112 , such as, for example, the Internet, LAN, MAN, WAN, cellular network, cloud network, enterprise network, virtual private network, wired and/or wireless network, or other suitable network, and via such connections, will be associated with data repositories that are associated with such other third party systems. Such third party systems may include, without limitation technology departments, factory central servers, additional data repositories, etc. 
         [0086]    For performing tasks as needed, the host system server  168  may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the processing device  120 . In addition, the host system server  68  would generally include executable instructions for, among other things, initiating a data collection process, an analysis regarding the detection and/or assessment of a performance data, threshold comparisons for alerts to users, etc. 
         [0087]    Communications between the processing device  120  and the host system server  68  may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as a network router (not shown), that is responsible for network routing. Communications with the network router may be performed via a network interface component  173 . Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g., the Internet, World Wide Web, LAN, cloud, or other like type of wired or wireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depicted relative to the processing device  120 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the non-transitory memory storage device(s) of the host system server  68 . 
         [0088]    Referring now to the figures, in one example, shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E , the disclosed mounting device  10 A includes an elongated band  11  formed from a series of jointed, heat resistant rigid links  12 , with at least one attachment mechanism, such as a rare earth magnet  14  mounted to or within at least one of the links  12 . In this illustrated example, a pair of magnets  14  are mounted within groove  18  formed within an underside of respective end links  12 . A sensor  20  may be mounted in a sensor groove  22 , which in this example is formed transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the band  11 . In this example, the sensor is connected to an external computing device. 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIGS. 2F-2H , another example of the presently disclosed mounting device  10 B is disclosed. In this example, the device  10 B includes an elongated band  52 , such as, for example, a flexible KEVLAR® strip. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the elongated band  52  may be constructed of any suitable material, taking into account the operating environment of the motor and/or device being monitored. For instance, the band  52  may require fire-resistance and durability properties found in various materials such as an aramid material. Similar to the device  10 B, in the illustrated example, the device  10 B includes a least one adhesive mechanism, such as for instance a rare earth magnet  14 . In this example, the magnet  14  is mounted to the surface of the band  52 , such as for instance, via sewing, adhering, or other suitable method of mounting the magnet to the band  52 . 
         [0090]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2F , the elongated band  52  of the device  10 B includes at least one brace  56 , or other suitable semi-rigid insert to provide at least some rigidity to the flexible band  52 . For instance, as illustrated, the braces  56  are attached to, e.g., via sewing onto, the top, bottom, or integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the band  52  to prevent the magnets  14  from coming together due to device vibration, motion, and/or installation, and assist with allowing the band  52  to remain flush with the device to which it is attached. 
         [0091]    Still further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2G , at least one side, in this instance the underside, of the band  52  may include a sparse mesh  60  of any suitable material including a mesh of thin Kevlar loops suitable for securing a flat strip sensor to the underside of the Kevlar strip. This mesh  60  may, among other things, enable relatively easy insertion of a variety of sensor strips into the band  52 , and/or convenient positioning of any sensor  20  prior to the application of the band  52  to the device being monitored. The strength of the magnets  14  keeps any sensor  20  placed on the band  52  between the magnets  14  in contact with the surface of the device to be monitored. 
         [0092]    In the case of the rigid link form  10 , the links  12  may alternate between links which house rare earth magnets  14 , and links which house sensors  20 .  FIG. 2H  illustrates one example of the band  10 A as mounted or otherwise attached to a motor for monitoring. 
         [0093]    With regard to the band  52 , and as noted above a KEVLAR® or similar material may be utilized. As desired, the material may include any combination of strength, weight, flexibility, heat resistance, flame resistance, cold tolerance, chemical resistance, and/or water resistance as desired. For instance, with regard to a KEVLAR® material, it will be observed that the material is a plastic which can stop bullets and knives. It is resistant to sharp objects which may be present in a rugged manufacturing environment. Tensile strength (stretching or pulling strength) is eight times that of steel wire. The material is lightweight. The material is flexible, allowing it to conform to many different devices shapes and form factors. It is heat resistance and doesn&#39;t melt; rather it decomposes at approximately 450 C (850 F). The material is flame resistant in that it will burn when ignited but stops when heat source is removed. The material is Cold Tolerant, down to approximately −196 C, such that low temperatures do not cause it to degrade or become brittle. It is chemical Resistant in that typically, only long-term exposure to strong acids or bases will make it degrade over time, and finally, it is water resistant. As noted above, any suitable material may be utilized by one of ordinary skill in the art including, for example, NOMEX, other plastics, rigid forms, Nylon, and linked rigid forms. 
         [0094]    One disadvantage of prior art systems, which rely upon a single magnet or attachment device to attach the sensors to a monitored device, is that the housing is either so rigid that it has to be manufactured to fit the shape of the device being monitored, which limits its use. Other mounting methods, such as semi-rigid mounting devices (e.g., thin metal strip) can bend, but then can buckle and deform when it is removed from the device (which would occur when replacing a broken sensor, adding another sensor, or servicing the device). Semi-rigid forms could also deform if the device vibrates excessively, as it might if the device were failing. If the metal strip buckles or deforms, it can no longer hold a sensor lead flush with the device which it is monitoring. 
         [0095]    As contemplated by the present invention, links of rigid forms may be a viable alternative as well. If the links are the right size, they can conform to almost any device shape which would be monitored. The links themselves should preferably also be made of strong, heat-tolerant material. Note that in the disclosed examples, the links are manufactured specifically to house the magnets we select, and also the specific sensors which monitor the devices as well, but other manufacturing selections may be utilized. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the links  12  form a chain of alternating magnets and sensors, so that to add another sensor, the chain is simply extended to include one more sensor (housed in a link), and one more magnet (also housed in another link). 
         [0096]    In the present disclosure, the bands of devices  10 A and  10 B utilize rare earth magnets  14 . These magnets may be utilized because they are the stronger than ferrous magnets. In the present illustrations, the magnets  14  are Neodymium ring and disc magnets. 
         [0097]    It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that there are multiple alternative configurations for attaching the sensors  20  to the monitored device. For instance, in one example, disk magnets can be inserted into pockets and/or otherwise attached to the bands  10 A,  10 B as desired. For instance, the magnets may be located within pockets formed in the straps. While this may be secure, this mounting arrangement may be less desirable because it puts the strap material between the magnet and the metallic surface, which weakens the magnetic force attaching the strap to the surface, and increases the likelihood that the magnets will move and the strip will buckle. 
         [0098]    In another example, the disk magnets may be insertable into grommets  70  which fit around magnets  14 , and a “cap” magnet, which may sit on top of the rare earth magnet to prevent the strap from slipping. Alternatively, T-shaped rare earth magnets  76  may fit inside the grommets  70 , (see  FIGS. 2A-2B ). In the rigid link configuration, links of magnets alternate with links of sensors. The magnet link design provides custom housing for the magnets, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The sensors would communicate to a transmitter through external leads, such as for instance through wires and/or wireless communications. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 2F-2H , another example of the mounting device  10 A is illustrated. In this example, the device  10 A includes the elongated band  11  of  FIG. 2A . As illustrated, however, at least one of the links  12  is modified to include a mounting link  10 C. As with  FIG. 2A , the mounting link  10 C may include a sensor groove  22  for accepting a sensor  20  there within. In addition, the mounting link  10 C may include a mounting plate  30 B including at least one attachment mechanism, such as for example magnets  14 , to allow a housing  200 A (see  FIG. 5A-6C ) to be mounted to the mounting plate  90 A. In this example, the housing  200 A is adapted to contain a PCB  202 , and/or other sensor arrangement to provide the desired sensing capabilities to monitor the device internally. 
         [0100]    As shown in  FIGS. 2F-2H , the housing  200 A may be releasable mounted to the band  11 . It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the housing may include antenna, batteries, circuitry, terminal connectors, etc. to provide communication and sensing capabilities desired. In the current example, the polarities and/or arrangement of the magnets  14  arranged on the mounting plate  90 B may be oriented and/or spaced such that the housing  200 A only mounts in one specific orientation and/or multiple acceptable orientations. In this manner, the device  10 A may control the setup of the sensor package as desired. 
         [0101]    The sensor can be combined or protected in a housing with internal electronics. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the housing  200 A is designed to accommodate the PCB  202  inside the housing that is magnetically attached to a band that itself is magnetically affixed to the motor&#39;s casing. The assembled housing is small enough to give it a low-profile aesthetic feature when placed on the motor. The band  11  has been designed to integrate the temperature sensor, such that when attached to the motor, the temperature sensor is flush against the motor&#39;s surface. In addition to this compact design, the strap allows a vibration sensor to magnetically attach to the strap, as described below. This design allows a user to install the sensor package with the temperature and vibration sensor on a motor in one step, or place the individual sensors spread out on the surface of the motor. 
         [0102]    It will be further appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the design of the housing, PCB board, and/or sensing array may vary as desired. For instance, as further illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7D , an alternative sensor housing  200 B may be provided to be attached to the band  11 . In this example, the sensor housing may be configured to include a simple self-contained sensor, such as for instance a vibration sensor. As will be appreciated, the housing  200 B may be optionally attached to the mounting plate  30 B, or may be separately attached to the band  11  at any desirable configuration, including in conjunction with the housing  200 A, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4F , another example of the mounting device  10 C is illustrated having an example sensor housing  200 C and an example mounting link  300 . The example sensor housing  200 C includes a single axially-aligned magnet  14  surrounded by a plurality of locking slots  222 C (see  FIG. 8A ). The locking slots  222 C interact with a locking protrusion  302  disposed on the mounting link  300  (see  FIG. 9A ) proximate an axially-aligned magnet  14 . The axially-aligned magnets  14 ,  14  provide the force that holds the housing  200 C and the mounting link  300  together. As illustrated, the housing  200 C may be rotated so that the locking protrusion  302  fits into a desired locking slot  14 , enabling the housing  200 C to be disposed in four different positions relative to the mounting link  300  (see  FIG. 8A ). It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the housing may include any desired number of locking slots in any desired arrangement to provide the housing with a desired set of possible arrangements. 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10B , another example of the mounting device  10 D is illustrated. In this example, the device  10 D includes the elongated band  11  of  FIG. 2A . As illustrated, however, at least two of the links  12  are modified to include mounting foot recesses  402  configured in size and shape for coupling with mounting feet  400 . In the illustrated example, each mounting foot  400  includes a rectangular base portion  404  and a trapezoidal upper portion  2006 . The base portion  404  and upper portion  406  are made from a single body of material, in the example feet. As a result of the trapezoidal shape of the upper portion  406 , two lateral angled flanges  408  extend from the upper portion  406 . 
         [0105]    The mounting foot recesses  402 , shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C , each also include a rectangular lower portion  410  and a trapezoidal upper portion  412 . In lateral cross-section, each mounting foot recess  402  has a shape of two stacked rectangles. The trapezoidal upper portion  412  of each mounting foot recess  402  is similar in size and shape to the trapezoidal upper portion  406  of the mounting feet  400 . The trapezoidal upper portion  412  of each mounting foot recess  402  narrows from an opening  414  to a back wall  416 , such that a mounting foot  400  inserted into the mounting foot recess  402  experiences increasing friction as it is inserted. 
         [0106]    In operation, the mounting feet  400  are slid into the mounting foot recesses  402 . Lateral displacement of the feet  400  from the recesses  402  is prevented by friction fit between the trapezoidal upper portions  406 ,  412  of the mounting feet  400  and mounting feet recesses  402 , and vertical displacement is prevented by the flanges  408  formed by the upper portions  406  of the mounting feet  400 . The lower surface of the base portion  406  of each mounting foot  400  is coupled with a motor casing or other device or object with two-sided tape, adhesive, or other attachment means. If desired, the mounting device  10 D may be removed for other use or replacement by sliding the mounting device  10 D off of the mounting feet  400 , which may stay coupled to the motor casing or other object or device. 
         [0107]    The mounting feet  400  and associated recesses  402  in the mounting strap  10 D enable simplified replacement of the strap  11 , if desired. As a result, different mounting straps  10 D (e.g., that support different sensors) may be used interchangeably on a single motor casing or other object or device, and a single mounting strap  10  may be moved from one motor casing to another with ease. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A-12D , another example another example of the mounting device  10 E is illustrated. In this example, the device  10 E includes the elongated band  11  of  FIG. 2A . As illustrated, however, at least one of the links  12  is modified to include an integrated sensor housing  200 D. The integrated sensor housing  200 D forms a unitary party of a link  12 , and thus is integrated into the elongated band  11 , in the illustrated embodiment. The integrated sensor housing  200 D accepts one or more sensors. For example, the integrated sensor housing may accept a vibration sensor and/or pressure sensor. The integrated sensor housing  200 D includes a cover  206 D. In one embodiment, the cover  206 D is translucent or transparent, so as to provide visual feedback from a sensor disposed within the integrated sensor housing  200 D to a user. In another embodiment, the cover  206 D is opaque. A sensor used with the integrated sensor housing  200 D may include one or more visual indicators (e.g., LEDs or other lights). 
         [0109]    The embodiment of the mounting device  10 E illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12D  advantageously provides a smaller profile and space requirement by virtue of the integration of the integrated sensor housing  200 D into the elongated band  11 . At the same time, the embodiment of  FIG. 21  continues to provide the articulating functionality of other embodiments of this disclosure. 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIGS. 13A-13D , an example sensor housing  200 E is illustrated. In this example, the sensor housing  200 E defines a plurality of apertures  210 ,  212 , each of which may be adapted to house one of a plurality of sensors (not shown), including for instance a temperature sensor, vibration sensor, or any other suitable sensor or monitoring device. In this example, the aperture  210  is particularly sized to house a vibration sensor, while the aperture  212  is sized to house a temperature sensor. A magnet  14  may be mounted in the housing  200 E, such as for instance, in another aperture  216 , defined in the housing  200 E. 
         [0111]    The example housing  200 E allows both a vibration sensor and temperature sensor to be held in one concise package. Due to its small form factor and the magnet on its base, the housing  200 E can be placed nearly anywhere on a motor. In one example, the housing  200 E utilizes a press-fit or interference-fit to secure the vibration sensor, temperature sensor, and magnet in their respective apertures. In the illustrated example, the press-fit of the vibration sensor in the housing  200 E is a substantially rigid connection such that the vibration sensor can accurately record acceleration data through the housing  200 E. Furthermore, in this housing example, the bottom of the temperature sensor extends slightly past the bottom surface of the magnet such that the sensor is held in contact with the motor and able to record accurate measurements, while the magnet is still able to have a strong attraction to the motor. 
         [0112]    A back plate  220  may be mounted proximate to the aperture  210  to prevent the vibration sensor from being over inserted. The aperture  210  may include a slot  222  to grip and retain the edges of the vibration sensor to better form a press-fit. Similarly, the example aperture  212  comprises a chamfered back plate  2226  to assist in the prevention of the temperature sensor from being over inserted. In addition, a channel  224  wraps around the aperture  212  to grip and retain the edges of the temperature sensor and to better form a press-fit. The temperature sensor may extend past the surface of the magnet  14  to assist in ensuring an accurate temperature measurement and an attraction of the magnet  14  to the motor. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A-D , an example sensor housing  200 F is illustrated. The components including the body  208 F and the end cap  2304  are shown in  FIG. 14A . Housing body  2302  contains slots  210 ′ to fit temperature and vibration sensors are shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 14C  taken across line  14 C- 14 C. Additionally,  FIG. 14C  shows a slot  228  for magnet  14  to attach the housing body  200 F to a motor or other device. The temperature sensor to protrude out of the bottom of the housing through an opening  222 F so that it can make contact with the motor for a more accurate temperature reading. The end cap is shown in  FIG. 14D . 
         [0114]    This sensor housing  200 F is built with a very small profile in mind so that it can be placed both on smooth-surface motors and in between the fins of finned motors as shown in  FIG. 15 . The power cable  230 , seen in  FIG. 15 , for the sensor package is permanently attached to the circuit board inside, which makes this sensor package a “one-piece” device. 
         [0115]    As mentioned above, the housing  200 F can be placed directly onto the motor. For example, the single piece device can be mounted onto the main body of the motor in order to measure the vibration and temperature centrally. In other situations, the housing  200 F is placed in a junction box or in another protected area nearby. In some examples, the motor may have an integrated junction box—shielded from the elements, but built into the motor casing—from which the housing  200 F and its sensors can measure the key variables such as temperature, vibration, and current. In this example, because there is already electrical equipment passing through the junction box, the housing  200 F and its attendant sensors can be integrated into a single assembly as shown in  FIG. 16A-D . 
         [0116]    In the example shown in  FIG. 16A , the housing  200 F is similar to that shown in  FIG. 14A . However, in this example, the housing  200 F is equipped with sensor mounts  222 G. Sensor mounts  222 G can be used to fit sensors such as current sensors such as a Split Core Current Transformer ECS1030-LZ2 manufactured by Echun Electric Co. onto the housing  200 F in order to make the package a single piece with all the sensors attached or built into the body of housing  200 F. As mentioned above, other examples have sensors separately affixed to other locations. It is appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other sensors could be mounted to sensor mounts  222 G such as temperature, sonic, vibration, distance, thermal, strain gauges, etc. 
         [0117]    In order to make housing  200 F airtight and waterproof, epoxy can be used to fill up all the air space inside the housing body  208 F and end cap  206 F (not shown) to make it air-tight. Clear epoxy was chosen to make the LED light of the inside circuit visible to the user. One of ordinary skill could also use a gasket or other sealant between the parts of housing  200 F such as the body  208 F and the end cap  206 F to waterproof it. 
         [0118]    As shown in  FIGS. 17A-18D , smart motor housings  200 H can be made waterproof as well. A gasket  2601  (not shown) is positioned between end cap  206 H and body  208 H to allow a removable watertight seal. End cap  206 H is attached to body  208 H with fasteners or other connecting means inserted into holes  2606  as shown in  FIG. 17D . Also shown in  FIG. 17A , apertures  216 H are sized to house magnets  14 . 
         [0119]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 17A-D , end cap  206 H has two coupler apertures  222 H to allow power or data transmission. These apertures are usually fitted with waterproof electrical connections which can be used to link the printed circuit board inside the housing  216 H to, for example, a temperature sensor. Further, the housing  216 H can also contain sensors internally, such as, vibration sensors. In another example of smart motor housing  200 I, shown in  FIGS. 18A-D , one coupler aperture  222 I is placed at each end of the smart motor housing  200 I, thereby placing one aperture  222 I in end cap  206 I and another on the opposite side of housing  200 I in body  208 I. 
         [0120]    Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.