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Heating element condition monitor

  • US 7,012,538 B2
  • Filed: 07/16/2003
  • Issued: 03/14/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring the condition of a material, comprising:

  • determining a reference baseline for at least two characteristics of a material;

    monitoring the at least two characteristics characteristic of the material across time and/or temperature;

    comparing the monitored characteristics against the reference baseline; and

    initiating a signal when a difference between the monitored characteristics and the reference baseline reaches or exceeds a predetermined value,wherein the difference between the monitored two or more characteristics and the reference baseline is caused by one or more of elongation of the material, a metallurgical change in a composition of the material, and a reduction in a cross-sectional area of the material.

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