Mechanical integrity sensor

US10859453B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Fry · Fishkill, US
• Jonathan D. Bradbury · Poughkeepsie, US
• Michael R. Kane · Hopewell Junction, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2018
• Grant date: Dec 8, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L5/0052
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Mechanical integrity sensors are provided to detect occurrence of an out-of-tolerance force on a component, such as a circuit board. The mechanical integrity sensor includes a light-blocking container and a light collector disposed within the light-blocking container. The light-blocking container includes a breakable panel. The breakable panel fractures with a force on the breakable panel indicative of the out-of-tolerance force on the component. Fracturing of the breakable panel allows light into the light-blocking container, and the light is collected by the light collector as indicative of the occurrence of the out-of-tolerance force on the component.