Thermally activated sensor system

• US 6,670,890 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Tousignant, Alan E., Kyrtsos, Christos T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US09/769,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 736/60, 340/679, 340/593, 340/594, 340/584, 340/870.17, 340/449, 180/339, 180/379
• US Class Current: 340/870.17
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/06 Lubrication details not provided for in group F16D13/74
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/18 Sensors; Details or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/40 with intermediate member provided with two pairs of outwardly-directed trunnions on intersecting axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A sensor system includes a housing that houses a thermally sensitive sensor, a transmitter portion and a power source. Preferably, the sensor device is encapsulated to protect the components from the environment. When the temperature in a component mounting the sensor system exceeds a preselected threshold, the thermostat sensor closes and the transmitter portion is energized by the power source to transmit a signal to a receiver unit.

Claims

1. A sensor system, comprising:

a housing;

a temperature sensor supported by said housing for detecting a predetermined temperature in a vehicle rotational connector;

a transmitter that is supported by said housing, said transmitter for generating a radio frequency signal responsive to said temperature sensor; and

a receiver located remotely from said housing that receives said transmitted radio frequency signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is one of a thermistor, an RTD, or a thermocouple device.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing is hermetically sealed.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle connector comprises a universal joint.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a threaded section for mounting of the sensor system.

6. A universal joint assembly, comprising:

a housing mounted at least partially within a central portion of a vehicle universal joint;

a temperature sensor supported by the housing for detecting a predetermined temperature in said universal joint;

a transmitter that is supported by said housing, said transmitter for generating a signal responsive to said temperature sensor; and

a receiver located remotely from the housing that receives said transmitted signal.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said housing is mounted within a central portion of said universal joint.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said predetermined temperature is a temperature of approximately 150°

F.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein said housing is threaded into said central portion of said universal joint.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein said housing is in communication with a lubrication channel within said universal joint.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein said housing is located along an axis of rotation of said universal joint.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein said housing is located remote from a plurality of trunions.

13. A method of detecting a predetermined temperature in a vehicle component comprising the steps of:

(1) sensing a temperature in a central portion of a rotating vehicle connector;

(2) identifying whether said temperature is a predetermined temperature; and

(3) transmitting a signal in response to identifying said predetermined temperature in said step (2).

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein step (3) further including transmitting said signal to a remote receiver.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further including the step of activating an alert in response to said signal.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein step (1) further comprises sensing a temperature of a lubricant.