US3720935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault detection system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1970-12-30
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-12-30
Abstract
Abstract An alarm or fault detection system for in service electronic equipment which is not electrically connected to the equipment. 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
2026-10-25 18:09
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/187; H; H02; H02H; H02H5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating equipment comprising the steps of: associating a material which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing its state from a solid to a vapor, with the equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing the changed state of said material upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating equipment comprising the steps of: associating a material which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing its state from a solid to a vapor, with the equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing the changed state of said material upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating equipment comprising the steps of: associating a material which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing its state from a solid to a vapor, with the equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing the changed state of said material upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction in operating equipment comprising the steps of: associating a material which is responsive to equipment malfunction by changing its state from a solid to a vapor, with the equipment to be monitored for malfunction; sensing the changed state of said material upon the occurrence of said equipment malfunction; and indicating an equipment malfunction in response to said sensing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for detecting and indicating occurrence of a malfunction recited in claim 1 wherein said material is associated with said equipment by painting a solution containing said material suspended in a vehicle onto said equipment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for detecting sand indicating occurrence of a malfunction recited in claim 1 wherein said material is associated with said equipment by embedding said material in the equipment structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
An equipment malfunction detection and warning system for functioning electrical equipment comprising: a malfunction detector means having a chemical substance directly on an equipment component responsive to equipment malfunction by a change of state of at least a portion of said chemical substance from a solid to a vapor; and a sensor means in proximity with said equipment component responsive to said malfunction detector to indicate a malfunction of said component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
An equipment malfunction detection and warning system for functioning electrical equipment comprising: a malfunction detector means having a chemical substance directly on an equipment component responsive to equipment malfunction by a change of state of at least a portion of said chemical substance from a solid to a vapor; and a sensor means in proximity with said equipment component responsive to said malfunction detector to indicate a malfunction of said component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The malfunction detection equipment of claim 4 wherein said sensor means comprises a vapor detector responsive to the vapor presence of said malfunction detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The malfunction detection system of claim 5 wherein said equipment component is a circuit component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The malfunction detection system of claim 5 wherein said sensor means further comprises vapor absorbing crystals responsive to said vapor presence to change their conductivity characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The malfunction detection system of claim 7 further comprising a malfunction indicating means responsive to said change in conductivity characteristics of said crystals to indicate an equipment malfunction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The malfunction detection system of claim 4 whereby said chemical substance at all times comprises the outermost solid on a portion of said equipment component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |