Heating element condition monitor
US6956489B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B1/0291
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for monitoring the condition of an electric current-carrying heating element involving installing the heating element in a location and setting the initial composition Ci of the material as a reference baseline at an initial time Ti corresponding to said installation of the heating element. Data is then collected reflecting the subsequent composition Cs of the heating element material after a subsequent time Ts at the installed location and any change in the material composition of the heating element between Ti and Ts is monitored. An alarm is sent when the change reaches a threshold value indicating a possible failure condition. According to one embodiment, an impedance monitor is provided that calculates and compares impedance at the required levels of accuracy to determine changes in material composition. The impedance monitor, or portions thereof may be embedded within a microcontroller for increased portability and functionality.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.