Tracking device

• US 10,591,607 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2014
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Woolf, Heston Grant, Games, Bill, Streit, Blair, Wald, Robin L., Uys, Tim, Varga, Stephen, Leshuk, Jeffrey Allen, Desmarais, Richard Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Bythrow, Peter M
• Application Number:
  US14/779,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20160054448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,181 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/024 of moving gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A tracking device (10) configured to track a shipment of cargo is provided including a housing (20) having a complementary top portion (22) and bottom portion (25). The top portion and the bottom portion of the housing are pivotally coupled. A tracking unit, arranged within the housing, includes a processor configured to collect and transmit data. A power unit having at least one power source is arranged within the housing and is configured to supply power to the tracking unit. A circuit board connects the power unit and the tracking unit. The circuit board includes a metal tab arranged adjacent a conductive interface. A portion of a pull tab (80) formed from a thin, non-conductive material is arranged between the tab and the conductive interface. The tracking device is configured to transform from an inactive state to a fully active state upon removal of the pull tab (80).

Claims

1. A tracking device configured to track a shipment of cargo, comprising:

a housing having a complementary first portion and second portion, the first portion and the second portion being pivotally coupled, a hole being formed in the first portion of the housing;

a seal having a central opening positioned within the housing, the seal being positioned adjacent the hole, the seal surrounding the hole with the central opening aligned with the hole;

a tracking unit arranged within the housing and configured to collect and transmit data;

a power unit having at least one power source arranged within the housing, the power unit being configured to supply power to the tracking unit;

a circuit board connecting the power unit and the tracking unit, the circuit board includes a metal tab arranged adjacent a conductive interface; and

a portion of a pull tab formed from a thin, non-conductive material arranged between the metal tab and the conductive interface, a distal end of the pull tab extending through the central opening of the seal and the hole formed in the first portion of the housing, wherein the tracking device is configured to transition from an inactive state to a fully active state upon removal of the pull tab;

wherein the tracking device includes a sensor coupled to the tracking unit;

wherein the sensor is positioned within a central opening of a second seal arranged within the housing adjacent another hole formed in the housing, the second seal being configured to isolate the sensor from heat generated within the tracking device and to trap moisture within the central opening thereof.

2. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the metal tab is biased into contact with the conductive interface.

3. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one power source includes at least one battery.

4. The tracking device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one battery is rechargeable.

5. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the tracking device is configured to transition from the fully active state to a semi-active state when a condition being monitored by the tracking unit reaches a predetermined value.

6. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board further includes a shut off mechanism positioned adjacent a first hole in the housing, the shut off mechanism includes a switch movable between a first position and a second position.

7. The tracking device according to claim 6, wherein movement of the switch to the second position interrupts the supply of power from the power unit to the tracking unit.

8. The tracking device according to claim 6, wherein movement of the switch to the second position alters the logic control of the tracking unit.

9. The tracking device according to claim 8, wherein movement of the switch to the second position transitions the tracking device to a semi-active state.

10. The tracking device according to claim 8, wherein movement of the switch to the second position transitions the tracking device to a sleep state.