Temperature monitoring device containing at least one element of an alloy which memorizes its shape

• US 5,335,994 A
• Filed: 02/14/1992
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G.I.R.
• Original Assignee: G.I.R.
• Inventors: Weynant nee Girones, Renee P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BENNETT, GEORGE B
• Application Number:
  US07/837,074
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 60/527, 60/529, 116/216, 116/217, 116/220, 116/221, 116/DIG. 10, 337/139, 337/140, 374/205, 374/206, 374/207, 374/104, 374/106, 426/88
• US Class Current: 374/205
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/483 using materials with a configuration memory, e.g. Ni-Ti alloys

Abstract

This device comprises a casing (2) of synthetic material containing a motor element (7) made of at least one alloy which memorizes its shape and having associated with it a movement transmission element consisting of a piston (9) and a rod (10) and acting on at least one indicator element (4) irreversibly recording each overstepping of a predetermined temperature, the casing being provided with transparent windows permitting the state of the indicator element or elements to be viewed.

Application to the monitoring of the overstepping of a temperature.

Claims

1. A temperature monitoring device, comprising:

an elongated casing formed with at least one window;

a row of cogs formed in said casing and shaped to enable unidirectional travel therealong;

a cursor in said casing shaped to be retained by said cogs and adapted to be stepped therealong in a direction of uni-directional travel;

a spring composed at least in part of a shape-memory alloy and formed with one end bearing against said casing and with an opposite end, said spring being initially deformed upon exposure to a predetermined temperature level; and

a rod fastened at said opposite end and longitudinally shiftable in said casing upon deforming said spring and formed with other cogs engageable with said cursor for stepping said cursor along said rod and said row upon exposure of said spring to another temperature, whereby a position of said cursor along said row can be viewed through said window, said cogs on said rod being spaced by a distance corresponding substantially to a stroke of said spring between said predetermined temperature and said other temperature.

2. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 1 wherein said rod is formed at an end connected with said spring with a piston, said piston being connected with said spring, said rod being formed with a shoulder and carrying a ring adjacent said shoulder whereby said shoulder displaces said ring in a direction toward said spring upon an initial retraction of said spring to bring said ring into view through a window of said casing.

3. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 1 wherein said cogs are shaped with surfaces inclined to said direction and surfaces perpendicular to said direction, said spring being braced between and secured to two cursors engageable by said cogs whereby said cursors are stepped along said row upon alternating contraction and expansion of said spring.

4. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 1, further comprising means on said casing delaying deformation of said shape-memory alloy in response to a variation of temperature.

5. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 4 wherein said means delaying deformation includes a ring on the casing.

6. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 1 wherein said casing has a wall of a thickness delaying deformation of said shape-memory alloy in response to a variation of temperature.

7. A temperature monitoring device, comprising:

an elongated casing formed with at least one window;

a row of cogs formed in said casing and shaped to enable unidirectional travel therealong;

a first cursor in said casing shaped to be retained by said cogs and adapted to be stepped therealong in a direction of unidirectional travel;

a second cursor spaced from said first cursor along said direction and engageable by said cogs, said cogs being shaped with surfaces inclined to said direction and surfaces perpendicular to said direction;

a spring composed at least in part of a shape-memory alloy and braced between and secured to said first and second cursors, said spring being initially deformed upon exposure thereof to a predetermined temperature level and effective, upon exposure to another temperature, to step said cursors along said row upon alternating contraction and expansion of said spring, whereby a position of said first cursor along said row can be viewed through said window.

8. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 7 wherein said shape-memory alloy possesses hysteresis, a rearwardly one of said cursors with respect to said direction having a rod extending movably through a forwardly one of said cursors, said rod having an end projecting beyond said forwardly cursor and formed with a shoulder, a compensation spring being braced between said shoulder and said forwardly cursor.

9. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 7 wherein one of said cursors is composed of a shape-memory alloy.

10. The temperature monitoring device defined in claim 7 wherein a rearwardly one of said cursors with respect to said direction has a rod extending movably through a forwardly one of said cursors, said rod having an end projecting beyond said forwardly cursor and formed with a shoulder.