Patent US3715598A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3715598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integral fault detection system for operating electronics equipment
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-12
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1989-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An alarm or fault detection system for in service electronic equipment which is not electrically connected to the equipment is disclosed. A chemical tracer element which is responsive to the application of a certain force, physical stress, electrical stress, or heat, for example, is embedded in the equipment or portion thereof that is to be monitored. When the equipment''s functional tolerance limit of the certain force is reached, the tracer element is released in a gaseous form. Presence of the tracer element''s vapors in the equipment enclosure is detected by a transducer which responds to a particular vapor representing a particular component or equipment malfunction and indicates it to an observer.
Inventors
- 👤 G Tomlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:07
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating electrical equipment comprising the steps of: associating a radioactive material in a first state which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing to a second state, with equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing said change of state upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating electrical equipment comprising the steps of: associating a radioactive material in a first state which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing to a second state, with equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing said change of state upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating electrical equipment comprising the steps of: associating a radioactive material in a first state which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing to a second state, with equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing said change of state upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating electrical equipment comprising the steps of: associating a radioactive material in a first state which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing to a second state, with equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing said change of state upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating comprises the step of associating a radioactive material which is a solid in the first state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sensing comprises the step of sensing a vapor which is the second state of the radioactive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for detecting and indicating occurance of a malfunction recited in claim 3 wherein said material is associated with said equipment by painting a solution containing said material suspended in a vehicle onto said equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for detecting and indicating occurance of a malfunction recited in claim 3 wherein said material is associated with said equipment by embedding said material in the equipment structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
An equipment malfunction detection and warning system for functioning electrical equipment comprising: an electrical equipment component; a radioactive malfunction sensing means incorporated in a solid state with the electrical equipment component for changing to a vapor state in response to an equipment malfunction; and a radiation detector means in proximity with said equipment component responsive to the changed state of said radioactive malfunction sensing means for indicating a malfunction of said component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An equipment malfunction detection and warning system for functioning electrical equipment comprising: an electrical equipment component; a radioactive malfunction sensing means incorporated in a solid state with the electrical equipment component for changing to a vapor state in response to an equipment malfunction; and a radiation detector means in proximity with said equipment component responsive to the changed state of said radioactive malfunction sensing means for indicating a malfunction of said component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the radioactive malfunction sensing means is impregnated into the covering of the electrical equipment component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1517861A
Cited
US3247382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |