Detection of Changes in Fasteners or Fastened Joints
First Claim
1. A tagging system for detecting a change in the relationship of a first element and a second element, the system including:
- at least one tag device capable of emitting a signal and adapted to be affixed to the first and second elements such that a selected amount of movement between the first element and the second element is capable of damaging or disabling the tag device to render the tag device incapable of emitting an acceptable identifying signal to an interrogation device; and
a master tag adapted to communicate with the tag device, wherein the master tag is adapted to store signals emitted from the tag device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to the use of a tag device 4 such as a RFID tag 4 communicating with a master tag for indicating acceptable or not acceptable states of a fastener 12, fastened joint 12a, or an assembled product. It is desirable to have a way of learning of a loosened or damaged fastened joint 12a or fastener 12 immediately, for safety or security purposes. This invention can indicate to a user by remote activation when a change in a fastened joint 12a or fastener 12 is present by attaching at least one tag device 4 utilizing go/no go sensing to the fastened joint 12a or fastener 12 and using a device 14 capable of receiving signals from the tag device 4.
23 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A tagging system for detecting a change in the relationship of a first element and a second element, the system including:
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at least one tag device capable of emitting a signal and adapted to be affixed to the first and second elements such that a selected amount of movement between the first element and the second element is capable of damaging or disabling the tag device to render the tag device incapable of emitting an acceptable identifying signal to an interrogation device; and a master tag adapted to communicate with the tag device, wherein the master tag is adapted to store signals emitted from the tag device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for detecting a change in the relationship of a first element and a second element, the system including:
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at least one tag device capable of emitting a signal; a device capable of interrogating the tag device and receiving an emitted signal from the tag device; and a master tag adapted to communicate with the tag device, wherein the master tag is adapted to store signals emitted from the tag device; wherein the tag device is adapted to be affixed to the first and second elements, such that a selected amount of movement between the first element and second element is capable of damaging or disabling the tag device to render the tag device incapable of emitting an acceptable identifying signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for detecting a change in a fastener or fastening joint having first and second elements, the method including the steps of:
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affixing at least one tag device to the first and second elements, the tag device being capable of emitting a signal; linking the or each tag device with a master tag adapted to communicate with the or each tag device; interrogating the or each tag device for receipt of the emitted signal; and detecting a change of state of the fastener or fastening joint when the tag device fails to emit an acceptable identifying signal.
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24. A tag device capable of emitting a signal and adapted to be affixed to first and second elements, such that a selected amount of movement between the first element and the second element is capable of damaging or disabling the tag device to render the tag device incapable of emitting an acceptable identifying signal to an interrogation device;
- wherein the tag device is adapted to provide information to a master tag.
- View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A tag device capable of emitting a signal and adapted to be affixed to first and second elements, such that a selected amount of movement between the first element and the second element is capable of damaging or disabling the tag device to render the tag device incapable of emitting an acceptable identifying signal to an interrogation device;
- wherein the tag device is adapted to be rendered incapable of emitting the acceptable identifying signal by physical damage to or disablement of an element of the tag device and the damage to or disablement of the element is adapted to be reversible by restoring the damaged or disabled element.
- View Dependent Claims (28)
Specification