Patent US5036312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5036312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring failure detection and safety system
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-03
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Granted: 1991-07-30
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Expires: 2009-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A spring failure detection and safety system comprising detection devices for continuously monitoring the life of a spring, and detecting and signalling its imminent or actual failure. The system also may comprise warning devices that have sensory outputs capable of informing a human operator of a spring failure. It may also comprise a memory device that would receive and store the failure detection signal, for example, for the purpose of informing maintenance personnel of the failure, or to serve as part of a test or failure evaluation system. The invention may also comprise a safety feature consisting of one or more springs to operate redundantly with the first spring, to protect against spring failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore V. Lester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:04
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in anyone spring; and (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, and a spring and a redundant spring connected in a manner such that either spring performs the same function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in anyone spring; and (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, and a spring and a redundant spring connected in a manner such that either spring performs the same function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in a spring; (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, and a memory means coupled to the output means responsive to said failure detection signal for recording and storing such signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in a spring; (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, and a memory means coupled to the output means responsive to said failure detection signal for recording and storing such signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in a spring; and (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, wherein said detection means monitors the ohmic resistance value of the spring so as to detect spring failure due to a defect that changes the ohmic resistance of the spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A spring failure detection device comprising: (A) detection means for detecting a failure in a spring; and (B) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal, wherein said detection means monitors the ohmic resistance value of the spring so as to detect spring failure due to a defect that changes the ohmic resistance of the spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A spring failure detection and safety device, comprising: (A) at least one redundant spring operably coupled with respect to a spring; (B) detection means for detecting a failure of any one of said springs; and (C) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A spring failure detection and safety device, comprising: (A) at least one redundant spring operably coupled with respect to a spring; (B) detection means for detecting a failure of any one of said springs; and (C) output means responsive to said detection means for automatically providing a failure detection signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 4, further including warning means responsive to said output means for providing a warning of a failure of at least one of said springs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 4, which further includes a memory means coupled to said output means for recording and storing said failure detection signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 4, which further includes a means for measuring the ohmic resistance value of at least one of said springs so as to detect spring failure due to a defect that changes the ohmic resistance of said spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A coil spring failure detection and safety device, said device comprising: (A) a coil spring; (B) a redundant coil spring; (C) first means for detecting a failure of any one of said springs; and (D) second means responsive to said first means for warning of a detected failure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A coil spring failure detection and safety device, said device comprising: (A) a coil spring; (B) a redundant coil spring; (C) first means for detecting a failure of any one of said springs; and (D) second means responsive to said first means for warning of a detected failure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 8, wherein said first means detects as a failure a defect in at least one spring as a result of a change in the ohmic resistance of said spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
A coil spring failure detection device, comprising: (A) a coil spring coupled mechanically between two points to perform a function; (B) at least one redundant coil spring coupled mechanically to perform said function wherein the two springs are coupled electronically in series; (C) first means for detecting the failure of at least one of the springs; and (D) second means responsive to said first means for automatically providing a signal warning of any detected failure of a spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
A coil spring failure detection device, comprising: (A) a coil spring coupled mechanically between two points to perform a function; (B) at least one redundant coil spring coupled mechanically to perform said function wherein the two springs are coupled electronically in series; (C) first means for detecting the failure of at least one of the springs; and (D) second means responsive to said first means for automatically providing a signal warning of any detected failure of a spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A coil spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 10 which further includes a third means responsive to said second means for recording and storing said warning signal in a memory device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A coil spring failure detection and safety device according to claim 10, wherein said first means detects as a failure a defect in at least one spring as a result of a change in the ohmic resistance of said spring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |