Patent ID: 7248154

Claim:
A system for detecting wear state comprising: an axial machine part including, a first component having a first wear period, the first component including a first radial depression of a first predetermined depth associated with the first wear period in which a first transponder is inserted and transmits a first signal associated with the first wear period, and a second component disposed over a portion of the first component, the second component having a second wear period different from the first wear period, the second component including a second radial depression of a second predetermined depth associated with the second wear period in which a second transponder is inserted and transmits a second signal associated with the second wear period; a transmitter/receiver disposed in radial relation to the axial machine part, the transmitter/receiver adapted to transmit a third signal to the first transponder and the second transponder and adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal in response to the third signal; and an evaluation unit communicatively coupled to transmitter/receiver and adapted to selectively determine expiration of the first wear period or the second wear period upon failure of the transmitter/receiver to receive the first signal or the second signal in response to the third signal.