Tethered temperature sensor for use in rubber embedded applications

Abstract

One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor for use within a vehicle track. The tethered temperature sensor includes one or more sensors for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes circuitry configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes a housing to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material that fills an interior of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tethered temperature sensor for use Within a vehicle track, the sensor comprising:
 one or more sensors for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region of the vehicle track;   circuitry configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region of the vehicle track;   a housing to contain the circuitry;   an encapsulating material that fills an interior of the housing;   a conductive tether embedded within the rubber track and configured to connect to the one or more sensors; and   the conductive tether is comprised of a flexible conductive material and provides at least 300 percent elongation.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the conductive tether configured to electrically connect the one or more sensors to the circuitry. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit measured temperatures from the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more antenna connected to the transceiver. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is configured to utilize one or more communication protocols selected from a group comprising, radio frequency (RF), RFID, Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G and 5G. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is external to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit measured temperatures from the one or more sensors and the circuitry to a remote tracking system. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 8 , wherein the remote tracking system is configured to generate an alert based on a selected alarm range of temperatures. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine a track temperature of a tread portion of the track based measurements of the one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry determines a track temperature based on an average of measured temperatures from the one or more temperature sensors over a time period. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the time period is selected from a range of 10 milliseconds (ms) to 60 seconds. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise an integrated circuit (IC). 
     
     
         14 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the flexible material comprises a plurality of flexible conductive elements. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the conductive tether is configured to operate as an antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the housing is comprised of metal. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more thermistors. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to supply power for operation of the one or more sensors and the circuitry. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor of  claim 18 , wherein the power source is a battery. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor of  claim 18 , wherein the power source is configured to passively provide power to the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         21 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to generate temperature over time and/or over distance traveled.