Patent ID: 7270890
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: C23C,F16D,F23M,F23R,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A wear monitoring system comprising: a first component having a surface; a second component; a first conductor embedded in the first component at a predetermined depth beneath the surface and being electrically insulated from the first component; a power source operatively connected to provide current to the first conductor, whereby an electrical circuit is formed; and a measurement device operatively positioned to measure an electrical value across at least a portion of the first conductor, wherein the second component contacts the surface of the first component such that at least the surface of the first component wears, whereby a user can monitor the measurement device for changes in the measured value indicating that the wear has progressed at least to the predetermined depth, wherein the current flows through the first conductor prior to the wear progressing to the predetermined depth.