RF tag for a mechanical component

• US 20070262875A1
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies LLC (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: El-Ibiary, Yehia
• Application Number:
  US11/433,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262875A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

An RFID tagging device is disclosed for metallic mechanical components. The device includes a support made of a non-metallic material. The support supports an RFID tag, such as a passive tag that may be applied to support as a decal or otherwise. The device may be secured to a mechanical component by any suitable fastener that may extend through a hole provided in the support. The support then holds the tag a sufficient distance from the component so that the metallic component itself does not interfere with the receipt or transmission of signals from the tag via the tag antenna.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) tagging device for a metallic mechanical component comprising:

a non-metallic support having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener to secure the tag to the mechanical component; and

an RF tag supported on the support and encoding at least identification information for the mechanical component to which the device is secured.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the support includes a generally toroidal body made of a synthetic plastic material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the RF tag is adhesively applied to the support.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the RF tag is embedded in the support.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the RF tag is a passive tag that provides a unique identification code when excited by a reader.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the RF tag is generally rectangular in shape, and the support is a toroidal disk, whereby the RF tag is wrapped around the disk for isolation from the mechanical component and from the fastener.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the RF tag is approximately 4 inches in length and the disk is approximately between 1 and 2 inches in diameter.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the RF tag returns a signal to a reader when excited at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the support spaces the tag at least approximately ⅛

inch from surrounding metal when the device is placed in service.

10. A radio frequency (RF) tagging device for a mechanical component comprising:

a toroidal support made of a synthetic plastic material and having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener to secure the tag to the mechanical component; and

an RF tag wrapped around and adhesively affixed to the support and encoding at least identification information for the mechanical component to which the device is secured.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the RF tag is a passive tag that provides a unique identification code when excited by a reader.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the RF tag is approximately 4 inches in length and the disk is approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the RF tag returns a signal to a reader when excited at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the support spaces the tag at least approximately ⅛

inch from surrounding metal when the device is placed in service.

15. A radio frequency (RF) tagging kit for a mechanical component comprising:

a toroidal support made of a synthetic plastic material and having an aperture formed therethrough and a peripheral surface for receiving an RF tag;

a passive RF tag wrapped around and adhered to the peripheral surface, the tag encoding at least identification information; and

a fastener configured to be fitted through the aperture in the support and to be secured to a metallic mechanical component.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein support includes pair of lips adjacent to the peripheral surface for protecting the tag during use.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the RF tag is approximately 4 inches in length and the disk is approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the RF tag returns a signal to a reader when excited at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the support spaces the tag at least approximately ⅛

inch from surrounding metal when the device is placed in service.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener configured to be screwed into a mating threaded opening in the component.