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:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2008
Gary Krutz, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Keith Harmeyer, Batesville, IN (US);
Michael Holland, Conrad, IA (US);
Timu W. Gallien, Lafayette, IN (US);
Gary Krutz, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Keith Harmeyer, Batesville, IN (US);
Michael Holland, Conrad, IA (US);
Timu W. Gallien, Lafayette, IN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method for monitoring a component formed of a polymer material, and the polymer component. The component includes an electrically-conductive polymer sensing element integrally incorporated into the component. An electric potential is applied to the polymer sensing element, and an electric signal generated by the polymer sensing element is sensed in response to the polymer sensing element physically responding to a transitory or permanent distortion of the component. A signal can then be generated if the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the component.