Material wear indication system
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a friction plate having a wear surface, the friction plate operable to emit particulate matter when engaged with a relatively moving surface; and
a sensor operable to detect the particulate matter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A material wear indication system is provided that includes a friction plate capable of engaging a moving surface and a wear indicator. The friction plate includes a wearable portion and a non-wearable portion. In one embodiment the wear indicator is embedded in the non-wearable portion and is prevented from contacting the moving surface until the wearable surface has been sufficiently eroded. When the wear indicator contacts the moving surface it emits a particulate matter that can be detected by a sensor. The sensor is operable to generate an electrical signal that is transmitted to a control unit when the wearable surface has eroded thereby exposing the wear indicator to the moving surface.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a friction plate having a wear surface, the friction plate operable to emit particulate matter when engaged with a relatively moving surface; and a sensor operable to detect the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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a friction plate; and a wear indicator coupled with the friction plate and capable of emitting a solid particulate matter to provide a wear indication. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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a friction plate having a wear portion and a non-wear portion; and means for detecting when the friction plate has been eroded.
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of friction plates; a wear indicator embedded in the plurality of friction plates and capable of emitting particulate matter; and wherein the particulate matter provides a wear indication. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification