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:
Aug. 04, 2015
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2013
GM Global Technology Operations Llc, Detroit, MI (US);
Dynalloy, Inc., Tustin, CA (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Ferndale, MI (US);
Carol A. Terry, Fowlerville, MI (US);
Roland J. Menassa, Macomb, MI (US);
Jan H. Aase, Oakland Township, MI (US);
Jeffrey W. Brown, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Wayne Brown, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Aragorn Zolno, Whittier, CA (US);
Christopher M. Barclay, Oxford, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Dynalloy, Inc., Tustin, CA (US);
Abstract
Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.