Thermochemical Temperature Indicators
OwnerBruce W. Nicholsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A burst temperature indicator system for determining when an electrical contact or other component reaches a predetermined temperature. In operation, a trace material may disperse into a surrounding environment, and be detected, when the electrical component reaches a predetermined threshold temperature. One or more foil barriers may be ruptured or broken by temperature-induced gas pressure. According to another aspect of this disclosure, a rupture disk may be burst at a predetermined temperature to generate, or enable emission of, a light signal. According to another aspect, a rupture disk device acts as, or is associated with, an engine to drive one or more electro-mechanical and/or acoustic devices to signal the occurrence of a predetermined temperature.
Claims17
A device for responding to a threshold temperature of an electrical component, the device comprising:
- a first section for connecting the device to the electrical component;
- a reservoir, the first section being at least partially surrounded by the reservoir;
- a detectable material located within the reservoir;
- a fill valve for introducing the detectable material into the reservoir;
- and
- a rupture disk for releasing the detectable material from the reservoir when the electrical component reaches the threshold temperature.
A device for responding to an overheated condition of an electrical component, the device comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a compressible material located within the reservoir;
- a charge of light-emitting material;
- a transparent or translucent bulb in fluid communication with the reservoir;
- and
- a rupture disk for releasing the compressible material from the reservoir when the electrical component reaches a threshold temperature, such that the compressible material flows into the bulb, dispersing the charge of light-emitting particles into the bulb, such that light is emitted and detectable from outside the bulb.
A device for responding to a condition of an electrical component, the device comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a compressible material located within the reservoir;
- a driven device;
- and
- a rupture disc for transmitting energy from the compressible material to the driven device to generate a signal that the electrical component reached a threshold high temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.