Sensor for wear measurement, method of making, and method of operating same

Abstract

A wear sensor comprising: an insulating substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a conductive electrode formed on said top surface of said insulating substrate; an insulating wear lining material having a first side secured to said top surface of said insulating substrate and conductive electrode, an opposite second side that will be worn down by relative motion between the wear sensor and a moving component; one or more contact points where the electrical properties between the electrode and the moving component can be measured; and one or more perforations through the thickness of the substrate and electrode, through which an adhesive may flow, thereby increasing the peel strength between the wear sensor and race or between the wear sensor and the wear liner.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A wear sensor comprising:
 a conductive filament that is deposited on or woven into an insulating, wear resistant material, such that the capacitance between the conductive filament and a moving component increases as the wear resistant material is worn away.   
     
     
         8 . A wear sensor according to  claim 7  wherein the conductive filament is a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         9 . A wear sensor according to  claim 7  wherein the conductive filament is a carbon nanotube yarn. 
     
     
         10 . A wear sensor according to  claim 7  wherein the conductive filament is a metal wire. 
     
     
         11 . A wear sensor according to  claim 7  wherein the conductive filament is a metal coated fiber. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled)