The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 27, 2000
Filed:
May. 13, 1998
Edward Isaac Cohen, Severna Park, MD (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Fiber optic filaments are embedded at a bearing surface. In the context of a mechanical bearing system, the filaments wear as the surface wears. Based on the observed amount of light which is transmitted through the filaments, the degradation of the filaments is related in a measurable way to the wear of the bearing surface. The sole power requisite for inventive operation is light, for observation purposes. As compared with convention approaches to wear measurement, the invention more accurately measures wear of the bearing itself and is therefore a better predictor of servicing requirements. Inventive practice of remote wear monitoring is a viable and preferable option.