Integration of sensor network and method of operation into a CTIS framework
A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.
1. A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system, comprising:
a non-rotating portion defining a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system;
a rotating portion defining a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system, the rotating portion spaced apart from the non-rotating portion;
a first sealing gasket disposed on one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion and sealingly engaged with a remaining portion of a remaining one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion, the first sealing gasket including a portion of a sealing gasket wear detection system;
a second sealing gasket disposed on one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion and sealingly engaged with a remaining portion of a remaining one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion; and
a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity, wherein a portion of the rotary encoder is disposed on the non-rotating portion and a remaining portion of the rotary encoder is disposed on the rotating portion and the non-rotating portion, the rotating portion, the first sealing gasket, and the second sealing gasket define the joint cavity which is a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system; and wherein a pressurization of the joint cavity facilitates substantial contact between the sealing gasket wear detection system and one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion of the rotary joint.
2. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the second sealing gasket includes a portion of the sealing gasket wear detection system.
3. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system includes an electrode disposed within the first sealing gasket and the rotating portion of the rotary joint including a conductive material.
4. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system includes conductive material disposed within the first sealing gasket and an electrode disposed in the non-rotating portion of the rotary joint.
5. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a plurality of sensors in communication with a communication bus.
6. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a sensorized dirt excluder.
7. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary encoder comprises a Hall effect sensor coupled to the non-rotating portion of the rotary joint and a ring-shaped magnetized surface on the rotating portion of the rotary joint.
8. The rotary joint according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a metallic inclusion within the first sealing gasket and a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent to the sealing gasket.
9. A method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system, comprising the steps of:
providing the rotary joint comprising a non-rotating portion defining a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system, a rotating portion defining a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system, the rotating portion spaced apart from the non-rotating portion, a first sealing gasket disposed on one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion and sealingly engaged with a remaining portion of a remaining
one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion, and a second sealing gasket disposed on one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion and sealingly engaged with a remaining portion of a remaining one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion;
providing a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity, wherein a portion of the rotary encoder is disposed on the non-rotating portion and a remaining portion of the rotary encoder is disposed on the rotating portion, and the non-rotating portion, the rotating portion, the first sealing gasket, and the second sealing gasket define a joint cavity which is a portion of a conduit used with the central tire inflation system;
providing a sealing gasket wear detection system comprising a sensor used within or adjacent the first sealing gasket, a communication bus, and a controller, and wherein a pressurization of the joint cavity facilitates substantial contact between the sealing gasket wear detection system and one of the non-rotating portion and the rotating portion of the rotary joint; and
using the controller to monitor for a signal indicating the first sealing gasket is in a worn condition, wherein the first sealing gasket and the rotary encoder are in communication with the controller through the communication bus.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the second sealing gasket includes a portion of the sealing gasket wear detection system.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system includes an electrode disposed within the first sealing gasket and the rotating portion of the rotary joint including a conductive material.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system includes conductive material disposed within the first sealing gasket and an electrode disposed in the non-rotating portion of the rotary joint.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a plurality of sensors in communication with the communication bus.
14. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a sensorized dirt excluder.
15. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the rotary encoder comprises a Hall effect sensor coupled to the non-rotating portion of the rotary joint and a ring-shaped magnetized surface on the rotating portion of the rotary joint.
16. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sealing gasket wear detection system comprises a metallic inclusion within the first sealing gasket and a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent to the sealing gasket.
17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of monitoring for a signal indicating the first sealing gasket is in a worn condition based on a magnetic field detected using the magnetic sensor.
18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the step of performing a calibration process for the magnetic sensor that includes a step of compensating for deformation of the magnetic field due to external factors.
19. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of performing a calibration process for the magnetic sensor, the calibration process based on a model of the first sealing gasket in an unworn condition.
20. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of performing a calibration process for the magnetic sensor based on a data fusion from a plurality of magnetic sensors.