Tethered temperature sensor for use in rubber embedded applications
One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor ( 300 ) for use within a vehicle track ( 100 ). The tethered temperature sensor ( 300 ) includes one or more sensors ( 308 ) for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region ( 104 ) of the vehicle track ( 100 ). The sensor also includes circuitry ( 402 ) configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region ( 102 ) of the vehicle track ( 100 ). The sensor also includes a housing ( 406 ) to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material ( 408 ) that fills an interior of the housing ( 406 ).
1. A tethered temperature sensor for use within a vehicle track, the sensor comprising:
one or more sensors for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region of the vehicle track;
circuitry configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region of the vehicle track;
a housing to contain the circuitry;
an encapsulating material that fills an interior of the housing;
a conductive tether embedded within the rubber track and configured to connect to the one or more sensors, the conductive tether is configured to operate as an antenna; and
the conductive tether is comprised of a flexible conductive material and provides at least 300 percent elongation.
2. The sensor of claim 1 , the conductive tether configured to electrically connect the one or more sensors to the circuitry.
3. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit measured temperatures from the one or more sensors.
4. The sensor of claim 3 , further comprising one or more antenna connected to the transceiver.
5. The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is configured to utilize one or more communication protocols selected from a group comprising, radio frequency (RF), RFID, Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G and 5G.
6. The sensor of claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit measured temperatures from the one or more sensors and the circuitry to a remote tracking system.
7. The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the remote tracking system is configured to generate an alert based on a selected alarm range of temperatures.
8. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine a track temperature of a tread portion of the track based measurements of the one or more temperature sensors.
9. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry determines a track temperature based on an average of measured temperatures from the one or more temperature sensors over a time period.
10. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the time period is selected from a range of 10 milliseconds (ms) to 60 seconds.
11. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise an integrated circuit (IC).
12. The sensor of claim 1 , the conductive tether at least partially disposed in a temperature protecting sheath.
13. The sensor of claim 12 , the temperature protecting sheath located in the high temperature region having temperatures exceeding 150 F.
14. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more thermistors.
15. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to supply power for operation of the one or more sensors and the circuitry.
16. The sensor of claim 15 , wherein the power source is a battery.
17. The sensor of claim 15 , wherein the power source is configured to passively provide power to the one or more sensors.
18. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to generate temperature over time and/or over distance traveled.
19. The sensor of claim 1 , the low temperature region is proximate an end of a ground engaging lug of the vehicle track and the high temperature region is proximate a middle of the ground engaging lug.
20. The sensor of claim 19 , the low temperature region is at a temperature less than about 140 degrees F.