Temperature indicator using thermochromic materials

• US 20050139142A1
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barry Rosenbaum, Frank Kelley
• Original Assignee: Barry Rosenbaum, Frank Kelley
• Inventors: Kelley, Frank, Rosenbaum, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 7,278,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/34.A
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 13/001 Decorating, marking or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 152/10027 with wear indicating feature

Abstract

A temperature indicator for a rubber article comprises a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is a component of a rubber article selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses. A rubber article containing a temperature indicator is also disclosed, wherein the temperature indicator comprises a thermochromic material compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator. A method of determining the operating temperature of a rubber article comprises incorporating at least one thermochromic material into a rubber article, the at least one thermochromic material having the property of changing color at a predetermined temperature, and examining the thermochromic material for a change in color, wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.

Claims

1. A temperature indicator for a rubber article comprising:

a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is a component of a rubber article selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.

2. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein said thermochromic material is compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator.

3. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the rubber article is a tire and the thermochromic material is incorporated into the sidewall of the tire.

4. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the rubber article is a tire and the thermochromic material is located on an interior surface of the tire.

5. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the rubber article is a tire and the thermochromic material is attached to the sidewall of the tire.

6. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic material changes color reversibly at a predetermined temperature.

7. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic material changes color irreversibly at a predetermined temperature.

8. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the rubber article is a belt.

9. The temperature indicator of claim 1, wherein the rubber article is a hose.

10. A rubber article containing a temperature indicator, said temperature indicator comprising:

a thermochromic material compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator.

11. The tire of claim 10, wherein the temperature indicator is physically incorporated into the sidewall of a tire.

12. The tire of claim 10, wherein the thermochromic material is located on an interior surface of a tire.

13. The tire of claim 10, wherein the temperature indicator is attached to the sidewall of a tire.

14. The tire of claim 10, wherein the temperature indicator changes color reversibly at a predetermined temperature.

15. The tire of claim 10, wherein the temperature indicator changes color irreversibly at a predetermined temperature.

16. The tire of claim 10, wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of automobile tires, truck tires, bus tires, aircraft tires, motorcycle tires, utility vehicle tires, belts and hoses.

17. A method of determining the operating temperature of a rubber article comprising:

incorporating at least one thermochromic material into a rubber article, said at least one thermochromic material having the property of changing color at a predetermined temperature; and

examining the thermochromic material for a change in color;

wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the thermochromic material changes color reversibly at a predetermined temperature.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the thermochromic material changes color irreversibly at a predetermined temperature.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the thermochromic material is located on an interior surface of a tire.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the thermochromic material is incorporated into the sidewall of a tire.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the thermochromic material is attached to the sidewall of a tire.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the rubber article is a belt for an internal combustion engine.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the rubber article is a hose of an internal combustion engine.