End-of-life sensors for fabrics
AssigneeThe Governors of the University of Alberta
InventorsPatricia Dolez, Hyun-Joong Chung, Chungyeon Cho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor for measuring the degradation of a fabric property is disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive track and a sacrificial material coupled to the conductive track, such that degradation of the sacrificial material results in reduction or loss of electrical conductivity of the conductive track. A method of measuring the performance degradation of a fabric, using a sensor is also provided. The method includes the step of measuring the electrical resistance of the sensor, and comparing the result to a known or empirically measured value to estimate the remaining useful life of the fabric performance.
Claims30
A sensor for measuring the degradation of a fabric property of a fabric, comprising:
- (a) a conductive track;
- and
- (b) a sacrificial material coupled to the conductive track, said sacrificial material being sensitive to at least one aging condition of the fabric, such that degradation of the sacrificial material results in reduction or loss of electrical conductivity of the conductive track,
- wherein the reduction or loss of electrical conductivity of the conductive track from degradation of the sacrificial material signals degradation of the fabric property.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.