Patent ID: 7647200

Claim:
A method for utilizing data relating to the distance from a signal emitting and receiving sensor to one or more signal reflective surfaces situated on a target to monitor one or more motion parameters of a main shaft in a gyratory or cone crusher comprising utilizing the sensor to determine a continuous series of measurements of the distance from the sensor that is located apart from the main shaft to said one or more signal reflective surfaces situated on a target, said target located on or adjacent to an upper portion of the main shaft and rotating and otherwise moving in unison with the movement of the main shaft for a series of successive rotations of the main shaft to thereby compile distance data from said sensor to said at least one surface; and utilizing a processing means to analyze the distance data to determine one or more motion parameters of the main shaft; wherein the distance from the sensor to said one or more signal reflective surfaces is determined by (i) directing a signal from the sensor to said one or more signal reflective surfaces; (ii) recording the elapsed time for a signal to travel from the sensor to at least one signal reflective surface and be reflected back to the sensor for a series of successive rotations of the main shaft; and (iii) from such elapsed time calculating and compiling the distance from said sensor to said at least one surface.