Carol E Terry

US Patent:

20140069318, Mar 13, 2014

Filed:

Apr 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/862685

Inventors:

CAROL A. TERRY - FOWLERVILLE MI, US
ROLAND J. MENASSA - MACOMB MI, US
JAN H. AASE - OAKLAND TOWNSHIP MI, US
JEFFREY W. BROWN - LOS GATOS CA, US
WAYNE BROWN - COSTA MESA CA, US
ARAGORN ZOLNO - WHITTIER CA, US
CHRISTOPHER M. BARCLAY - OXFORD MI, US

International Classification:

G01K 5/70

US Classification:

116221, 116216

Abstract:

Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.