A control system for monitoring a torque converter in a machine is disclosed. The control system includes a first speed sensor associated with a driving shaft of the torque converter. The first sensor is configured to measure an input speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a second speed sensor associated with an output shaft of the torque converter. The second sensor is configured to measure an output speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a processing module adapted to calculate a speed ratio based on the signals received from the first speed sensor and the second speed sensor. The control system further includes an output module adapted to provide indication for a seized condition of a one way clutch in the torque converter based on the speed ratio.

A control system for monitoring a torque converter in a machine is disclosed. The control system includes a first speed sensor associated with a driving shaft of the torque converter. The first sensor is configured to measure an input speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a second speed sensor associated with an output shaft of the torque converter. The second sensor is configured to measure an output speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a processing module adapted to calculate a speed ratio based on the signals received from the first speed sensor and the second speed sensor. The control system further includes an output module adapted to provide indication for a seized condition of a one way clutch in the torque converter based on the speed ratio.

The structure for detecting tooth-skipping of the speed reducer of the rotary driver is reduced in weight and size. In the rotary driver the occurrence of tooth-skipping is detected based on the difference in outputs from the encoders located at the input side (the side of the motor) and at the output side (the side of the load), which is opposite the input side in relation to the speed reducer. The rotary driver comprises a motor, a speed reducer located between the motor and a load to reduce the rotary speed of a rotary shaft at the side of the motor, to thereby transmit the reduced rotary speed to a rotary shaft at the side of the load, a first encoder for detecting a rotation of the rotary shaft at the side of the motor, a second encoder for detecting a rotation of the rotary shaft at the side of the load, a section for detecting any difference between a first detected value that is obtained by dividing an output of the first encoder by a rate for reducing the speed by the speed reducer and a second detected value that is obtained from an output of the second encoder, and a section for detecting tooth-skipping that detects tooth-skipping of the speed reducer based on the difference.

The structure for detecting tooth-skipping of the speed reducer of the rotary driver is reduced in weight and size. In the rotary driver the occurrence of tooth-skipping is detected based on the difference in outputs from the encoders located at the input side (the side of the motor) and at the output side (the side of the load), which is opposite the input side in relation to the speed reducer. The rotary driver comprises a motor, a speed reducer located between the motor and a load to reduce the rotary speed of a rotary shaft at the side of the motor, to thereby transmit the reduced rotary speed to a rotary shaft at the side of the load, a first encoder for detecting a rotation of the rotary shaft at the side of the motor, a second encoder for detecting a rotation of the rotary shaft at the side of the load, a section for detecting any difference between a first detected value that is obtained by dividing an output of the first encoder by a rate for reducing the speed by the speed reducer and a second detected value that is obtained from an output of the second encoder, and a section for detecting tooth-skipping that detects tooth-skipping of the speed reducer based on the difference.

Various packaging designs for placement of a magnetic torque sensor at the output shaft of a front wheel drive transmission are provided. One design provides for mounting a sensor on a chain drive sprocket or integrating a sensor into a modified sprocket bearing mount. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the grounded ring gear of a final planetary drive. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the differential housing. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the output planetary carrier hub/park gear. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at a multi-piece transfer gear face.

Various packaging designs for placement of a magnetic torque sensor at the output shaft of a front wheel drive transmission are provided. One design provides for mounting a sensor on a chain drive sprocket or integrating a sensor into a modified sprocket bearing mount. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the grounded ring gear of a final planetary drive. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the differential housing. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the output planetary carrier hub/park gear. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at a multi-piece transfer gear face.

A fault notification system comprises a plurality of tower sensor units and a central processing element. Each tower sensor unit includes a tower safety sensor and a tower processing element. The tower safety sensor monitors a rotation angle of a mobile tower and output a signal that varies according to the rotation angle. The tower processing element is configured to receive the signal, compare a signal level of the signal with a range of signal levels indicating a normal rotation angle, and transmit a message that a fault has occurred and request that each drive motor shut down if the level of the signal is out of the range indicating a normal rotation angle. The central processing element is configured to receive the message from the tower processing element and transmit a signal to each tower processing element to output a signal to instruct each drive motor to shut down.

A fault notification system comprises a plurality of tower sensor units and a central processing element. Each tower sensor unit includes a tower safety sensor and a tower processing element. The tower safety sensor monitors a rotation angle of a mobile tower and output a signal that varies according to the rotation angle. The tower processing element is configured to receive the signal, compare a signal level of the signal with a range of signal levels indicating a normal rotation angle, and transmit a message that a fault has occurred and request that each drive motor shut down if the level of the signal is out of the range indicating a normal rotation angle. The central processing element is configured to receive the message from the tower processing element and transmit a signal to each tower processing element to output a signal to instruct each drive motor to shut down.

A method of monitoring a first freewheel interposed between a first drive shaft of a first engine and a rotor. The state of operation of said first freewheel is correct if the first inlet speed of rotation of the first drive shaft lies in a second range of values corresponding to the current stage of operation while the outlet speed of rotation of the rotor lies in a first range of values corresponding to the current stage of operation.

A method for determining total damage to at least one rotating component of a drive train in a system, in particular a wind or wave energy system, includes determining over time during operation of the system a variable characterizing a rotational speed of the component and a variable characterizing a torque transmitted by the component. A load collective is determined in a calculator unit from the temporal progression of the variables, and the total damage is determined from a comparison of the determined load collective and a reference load collective.