Patent ID: 7930949

Claim:
A linear motion assembly comprising: a first body; a second body arranged for operable communication with the first body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another; a sensor carried by at least one of the first body and the second body, the sensor being configured to detect and monitor information related to performance- indicating characteristics of the assembly; a control module arranged in communication with the sensor and configured to monitor at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor, and further configured to detect and provide an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic; the assembly includes a plurality of balls carried by at least one ball circulating track; the ball circulating track includes: a raceway portion defined between adjacent portions of the first and second bodies, and a ball return portion carried by one of the first and second bodies, the balls being free to circulate around the track as the bodies move relative to one another; the sensor is configured and positioned to detect information related to the balls; and in which the control module is programmed to interpret a constant signal from the sensor as indicating that a ball jam condition is present.