Apparatus and method for detecting the condition of an item
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting when an item which is subject to wear has worn to a predetermined extent, the apparatus comprising:
- a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy, the structure including an ablatable portion which, when the ablatable portion is worn away, produces a change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy;
means for mounting the structure on the item so that, when the item has worn to the said predetermined extent, the ablatable portion of the structure has worn away; and
means for detecting the change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates when the ablatable portion is worn away.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the condition of an item and, particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus and method for detecting a specific condition of a motor vehicle tire. The invention provides apparatus comprising a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to a reception by said structure of radio frequency energy; said structure having a first configuration which, in use, is changed to a second configuration in response to said item attaining said specific condition; said change in configuration producing a detectable difference in radio frequency energy radiated from said structure. Apparatus according to the present invention thereby allows for the remote interrogation of the condition of an item.
25 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting when an item which is subject to wear has worn to a predetermined extent, the apparatus comprising:
- a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy, the structure including an ablatable portion which, when the ablatable portion is worn away, produces a change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy;
means for mounting the structure on the item so that, when the item has worn to the said predetermined extent, the ablatable portion of the structure has worn away; and
means for detecting the change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates when the ablatable portion is worn away. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15)
- a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy, the structure including an ablatable portion which, when the ablatable portion is worn away, produces a change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy;
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13. A method for detecting when an item which is subject to wear has worn to a predetermined extent, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy, the structure including an ablatable portion which, when it is worn away, produces a change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy;
mounting the structure on the item so that, when the item has worn to the said predetermined extent, the ablatable portion of the structure has worn away; and
detecting the change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates when the ablatable portion is worn away.
- providing a structure for radiating radio frequency energy in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy, the structure including an ablatable portion which, when it is worn away, produces a change in the radio frequency energy which the structure radiates in response to reception by the structure of radio frequency energy;
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16. A method for detecting a specific condition of an item, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing said item with the apparatus defined hereinabove for detecting a specific item condition;
transmitting radio frequency energy to said apparatus and receiving radio frequency energy radiated therefrom; and
monitoring for radiated radio frequency energy corresponding to the attaining of said specific condition.
- providing said item with the apparatus defined hereinabove for detecting a specific item condition;
Specification