Method and system for component wear monitoring

Abstract

A monitoring system includes a fastener. A sensor is coupled to the fastener. A circuit board is electrically coupled to the sensor. An antenna electrically coupled to the circuit board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monitoring system, comprising:
 a fastener;   a sensor coupled to the fastener;   a circuit board electrically coupled to the sensor; and   an antenna electrically coupled to the circuit board.   
     
     
         2 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a bolt. 
     
     
         3 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a nut. 
     
     
         4 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is embedded in the fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The monitoring system of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener has defined therein a bore and the sensor is disposed in the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a washer. 
     
     
         7 . The monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein the circuit board and the sensor are coupled to the washer. 
     
     
         8 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor detects at least one of tension, strain, and vibration. 
     
     
         9 . The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is in communication with a wearable device. 
     
     
         10 . A roller wear sensor, comprising:
 a bearing assembly;   a sensor disposed with the bearing assembly;   an antenna electrically coupled to the sensor; and   a power source electrically coupled to the antenna.   
     
     
         11 . The roller wear sensor of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is at least one of a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, of a strain gauge. 
     
     
         12 . The roller wear sensor of  claim 10 , comprising at least two antennas. 
     
     
         13 . The roller wear sensor of  claim 10 , wherein the power source is a battery. 
     
     
         14 . A wear monitoring system, comprising:
 a plurality of wear pads;   a sensor disposed within the wear pad; and   an antenna electrically coupled to the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The wear monitoring system of  claim 14 , wherein the wear pads comprise a wear surface and a mounting surface. 
     
     
         16 . The wear monitoring system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor is disposed within the wear surface. 
     
     
         17 . The wear monitoring system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a resistor ladder. 
     
     
         18 . The wear monitoring system of  claim 17 , wherein the resistor ladder comprises parallel-connected resistors. 
     
     
         19 . The wear monitoring system of  claim 14 , wherein the wear pads are disposed in a chute.