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Apparatus and method for detecting the condition of an item

  • US 6,651,495 B2
  • Filed: 12/27/2001
  • Issued: 11/25/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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.

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