Wear sensor system

• US 4,655,077 A
• Filed: 05/31/1985
• Issued: 04/07/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Howard A. Purvis, Robert F. Stricker
• Original Assignee: Howard A. Purvis, Robert F. Stricker
• Inventors: Stricker, Robert F., Purvis, Howard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stewart J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raevis, Robert R.
• Application Number:
  US06/739,899
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 73/86, 73/7, 340/540, 340/605, 340/550, 138/36
• US Class Current: 73/86
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 11/00 Accessories, e.g. safety or control devices, not otherwise provided for , e.g. regulators, valves in inlet or overflow ductingwith electrostatic precipitating arrangements B03C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/00 Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion, or to light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/20 Investigating the presence of flaws

Abstract

A wear sensor system for detecting erosion, corrosion and wear of a component is disclosed. Conductive loops of a sensor probes are embedded at spaced locations through the component. As erosion, corrosion or wear of the component is sustained, each conductive loop is subjected to such wear condition in turn and is interrupted only as the component is worn away at its particular location. The continuity status of each loop is evaluated periodically, with an electrical closed circuit condition indicating structural integrity at that particular loop location, and an electrical open circuit condition indicating such a wear condition.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting a wearable condition of a component comprising:

a wear sensor probe including at least one conductive loop embedded within said component; and

,

means coupled to said wear sensor probe for determining the continuity status of said conductive loop;

said at least one conductive loop having a signal conductor portion, a return conductor portion and a wearable, conductive segment connected in electrical series relation with said signal conductor portion and said return conductor portion, said wearable, conductive segment being relatively frangible with respect to the component in which it is embedded.