Degradation detection system for a hose assembly
A hose fault detection system includes a hose assembly including a hose having first and second conductive layers. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. A fault detector is in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers. The fault detector includes an indicator operatively connected to the hose assembly. A method for monitoring the structural integrity of a hose assembly includes providing a fault detection system having a hose assembly including a hose having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The hose assembly has an electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic of the hose assembly is compared to a threshold value. A visual indicator in operative communication with the hose assembly is illuminated when the electrical characteristic goes beyond the threshold value.
1. A hose fault detection system comprising:
a hose assembly including a hose having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein the hose assembly has an electrical characteristic; and
a fault detector in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers;
wherein the fault detector is configured to detect the electrical characteristic;
wherein the fault detector includes a first visual indicator operatively connected to the hose assembly and a second visual indicator;
wherein the first visual indicator is configured to illuminate when the detected electrical characteristic corresponds to the hose assembly being capable of operating; and
wherein the second visual indicator is configured to illuminate when the detected electrical characteristic corresponds to the hose assembly having an impending failure.
2. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second visual indicator is configured to be disposed at a location remote from the hose assembly.
3. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fault detector is a radio frequency identification (RFID) system.
4. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the fault detector further includes a reader in operative communication with the RFID system.
5. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the reader includes the visual indicator.
6. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the RFID system includes a first circuit, an RFID tag, and a first antenna; and
wherein the reader includes a second circuit having a second antenna, a processing center, and a failure indicator.
7. A hose fault detection system as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the RFID tag includes a first power supply, a signal conditioner, a digital processing unit, a memory, and a modulator; and
wherein the first antenna includes a first capacitor operatively connected to a first coil.
8. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the second antenna includes a second capacitor and a second coil; and
wherein the processing center includes a demodulator, a modulator, a second power supply, a baseband processor, a comparator, and a DC power supply.
9. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fault detector is a microcontroller device having a sensor, a signal conditioner, and a memory and processing unit;
wherein the sensor is configured to continuously sense the electrical characteristic of the hose assembly.
10. A hose fault detection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the sensor is configured to continuously sense the electrical characteristic of the hose assembly.