Nut gap monitoring system

Abstract

A drop table can employ a number of lifting columns respectively arranged with a nut and traveler each positioned on a rotating core with the nut separated from the traveler by a nut gap. The nut gap may be measured with a first sensor positioned within the nut and the first sensor detecting a nut gap distance with a first sensing feature. The first sensor can be changed to a second sensor that detects the nut gap distance with a second sensing feature that is different than the first sensing feature.

1 . A method comprising:
 positioning a nut and traveler in contact with a rotating core, the nut separated from the traveler by a nut gap having a default distance separating a top surface of the nut from a bottom surface of the traveler;   lifting a platform with the traveler; and   installing a sensor proximal the nut gap to monitor the default distance while the rotating core rotates.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nut and traveler each continuously extend to surround the rotating core. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the default distance is uniform throughout a circumference of the rotating core. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nut gap is occupied by air. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is installed in a position external to the nut gap. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is installed in a position that occupies a portion of the nut gap. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the senor continuously contacts both the nut and the bottom surface of the traveler. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is installed by engaging a threaded hole of the traveler. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is installed by engaging a protrusion extending from the traveler. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is installed by engaging a protrusion extending from the nut. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nut gap is not monitored during the lifting of the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nut gap is continuously monitored by the sensor during a subsequent movement of the platform. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 positioning a nut and traveler in contact with a rotating core, the nut separated from the traveler by a nut gap having a default distance separating a top surface of the nut from a bottom surface of the traveler;   monitoring the default distance of the nut gap with a first sensor configuration while the rotating core rotates, the first sensor located in a first position proximal the nut gap; and   changing the first sensor configuration to a different second sensor configuration to monitor the default distance of the nut gap.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration has a greater number of sensors than the first sensor configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration alters the location of the first sensor to a second position proximal the nut gap. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration replaces the first sensor with a second sensor 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration alters an operating parameter of the first sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration adds a second sensor in a second position proximal the nut gap with no sensor previously located in the second position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration positions redundant sensors proximal the nut gap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor configuration positions the first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor in different locations relative to the nut gap.